New Delhi, April 17 -- The widely accepted wet-bulb temperature survival threshold of 35degC is being questioned after recent physiological studies suggest the limit may actually be closer to 31degC, Harvard researchers revealed following a recent interdisciplinary conference with the Union environment ministry to discuss heat stress in India and adaptation interventions.

Wet-bulb temperature combines heat and humidity measurements to indicate how effectively the human body can cool itself through sweating when outdoors. Unlike regular air temperature readings, wet-bulb measurements reflect the body's cooling capacity in humid conditions-when the wet-bulb temperature reaches the same level as human skin temperature, sweat evaporation bec...