The NEW SUMMER SIMMER INDEX - A COMFORT INDEX FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM  John W. Pepi * Maynard, MA (page 5)
	Third, while the effects of lower dew points are more pronounced at higher temperatures, dew point temperatures below 35F are not common at these higher temperatures.  Fourth, dew points in the dry summer months of the Southwest US desert regions average near 35F.  Thus, 35F is established as a good dry reference base with which to work. The new Summer Simmer Index results can be illustrated in tabular form as a function of temperature and humidity, or as a function of temperature and dew point. The latter is most appropriate for forecasting the daily SSI, since dew point temperatures are rather constant over the day, while relative humidity is not. Alternatively, the new SSI can be shown with plots and cross as a function of temperature and humidity.  Heat stress and comfort zones (section 5) are then readily identified. Using these data and the new base level, the SSI is thus developed.  It is physiologically sound and humanly confirmed.  Significantly, it relates to a dry environment for general public acceptance.  For our cited example of 90F and 50% humidity, the SSI reads 100F - a realistic value as to how hot it feels. 5.0 SSI and HEAT STRESS More than just public acceptance, the SSI gives an indication of the dangers of exposure to various combinations of temperature and humidity, based on physiological studies. Seven zones are identified in figure 2.  For SSI values between 70 and 77(zone 1), most people are comfortable, but slightly cool.  From 77 to 83  (2), nearly everyone feels quite comfortable, while from 83 to 91 (3) most are comfortable, but slightly warm.  For values between 91 and 100 (4), increasing discomfort is experienced (warm) while at 100  and through 112 (5), a caution of sunstroke and heat exhaustion exists for prolonged exposure and activity, along with significant discomfort (extremely warm).  From 112 to 125 (6), virtually everyone is uncomfortable, a danger of heatstroke and great discomfort exists (hot), while from 125 to 150 (7) there is an extreme danger of heatstroke, especially for the weakened or elderly, and even young children, whose *Corresponding author address: John W. Pepi, 4 Nick Lane, Maynard, MA 01754; E-mail: information@ssi		body metabolism demands cooler effective temperatures than most adults. Maximum discomfort exists at these conditions (extremely hot).  Beyond 150, circulatory collapse is imminent for prolonged exposure.  By nature’s design, this  extreme exists on less than 1 percent of the reporting weather stations on the planet at less than 1 percent of the time.   It is possible to reach this level, however, in factories, mines and urban apartments that lack air conditioning. As an example of the effects of heat stress, note that a temperature of 105 and a dew point of 40 (relative humidity 11 percent), a value commonly experienced in the Mojave desert, the new SSI reads 108F, which lies in the zone of  caution of sunstroke and significant discomfort.  For the same temperature of 105 with a dew point reading of 76, as experienced in the Chicago heat wave of 1995, an SSI reading of 128 is noted, in the zone of maximum discomfort and extreme danger of heatstroke.  Tragically, 725 people lost their lives during this four day period.  Poorly ventilated apartments were reported to have experienced temperatures of 117F, which under the same dew point results in a SSI of 148F,  near where circulatory collapse and death is imminent for the weakened elderly. As a final example, some meteorologists use a dew point of 55°F as a level below which most people feel comfortable. While this may be true for temperatures below 90°F, this dew point temperature can be quite uncomfortable and heat stress producing for higher temperatures.  While there is less resistance to moisture transfer at lower dew points, heat transfer at the higher temperature dominates the physiological symptoms. 6.0 A FINAL ARGUMENT Of the various indexes noted above, only the ET* (or the new SSI) and the HI (apparent temperature) are proven indexes relating heat stress, health, and comfort to sound scientific laws at all temperature and humidity levels.  The HI and ET*, however, are based on somewhat different and certainly independent physiological models. Proceeding with curiosity, I reformulated the HI equations to relate to the 35F dew point turn to page 6