ScienceDaily (Aug. 7, 2009) — An estimated 200 people die each year in the U.S. after being struck by lightning. An extremely brief but intense hit delivers more than 10 million volts and is fatal in about 30 percent of cases. Recent lightning strikes in Newark resulted in one death and three injuries.
Most survivors have significant complications. Half of people struck by lightning will suffer rupture of the tympanic membrane in the ear. Many go on to develop cataracts.
“Lightning presents a grave risk of death,” warns Shreni Zinzuwadia, M.D., an emergency department physician at UMDNJ-The University Hospital and instructor of surgery at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. “Cardiac or respiratory arrest may result from being hit by lightning.”
There are other dangers outside of a direct hit, she added, from three additional types of strikes.
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See the article for suggestions on avoiding being struck by lightening.
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