Experts say the temperature inside of the tractor-trailer where smuggled immigrants died and many others were left in dire health would have quickly become unbearable in the Texas heat. This and other tragic instances of human smuggling, including a 2003 case in Victoria, Texas, in which 19 immigrants died, highlight the dangers that extreme heat poses to would-be immigrants. Within 20 minutes, the temperature would have risen to 130 degrees (54 Celsius). ——HEAT HAZARDSWhen heatstroke sets in after a person’s body heat rises above 104 degrees (40 Celsius), perspiration shuts down, eliminating the body’s primary method of cooling itself through the evaporation of sweat. Around 107 degrees (42 Celsius), cells start to die and organs can begin to fail.

Source: National Post July 23, 2017 21:22 UTC