NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
Staten Island Landfill Debris Disposal Operation Health and Safety Program
Immediately Seek or Contact Onsite Emergency Medical Assistance
Knowing that frostbite and hypothermia are closely related is important to helping to mitigate factors
that can contribute to frostbite. These factors include extreme cold; wet clothes; high winds ("wind
chill"); and poor circulation, which can be caused by tight clothing or boots, cramped positions,
fatigue, certain medication, smoking, alcohol use, or diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as
diabetes, poor fluid intake (fluid imbalance), and inadequate food. Wear suitable clothing in cold
temperatures and protect susceptible areas. In cold weather, wear mittens (not gloves); wind-proof,
I
water-resistant, many-layered clothing; two pairs of socks (cotton next to skin, then wool); and a I
scarf and a hat that cover the ears (to avoid substantial heat loss through the scalp). Before I
anticipated prolonged exposure to cold, don't drink alcohol or smoke (both interfere with blood I
circulation), and get adequate food and rest. If caught in a severe snowstorm, find shelter early.
Frostbite
Frostbite is damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by extreme cold. Frostbite occurs
when the skin and body tissues are exposed to cold temperature for a prolonged period of time.
Hands, feet, nose and ears are most likely to be affected. Although anyone who is exposed to
freezing cold for a prolonged period of time can get frostbite, people who are taking beta-blockers,
which decrease the flow of blood to the skin, are particularly susceptible. So are people with
atherosclerosis (a disorder of the arteries). Other things that increase the risk of frostbite include
smoking, windy weather (which increases the chill factor), diabetes mellitus, and peripheral
neuropathy or Raynaud’s phenomenon.
The first symptoms are a "pins and needles" sensation followed by numbness. Frostbitten skin is
hard, pale. cold, and has no feeling. When skin has thawed out. it becomes red and painful (early
frostbite). With more severe frostbite, the skin may appear white and numb (tissue has started to
freeze). Very severe frostbite may cause blister; gangrene (blackened tissue that died after blood
vessels froze); or hard. Irozen skin (frostbite can penetrate all the way down to blood vessels and
bone).
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