The document discusses the harsh environmental conditions and effects on the human body in the frigid polar regions. It notes that ice sheets are over 1.6 miles thick, humidity is lower than the Sahara desert, and wind speeds can exceed 180 miles per hour. The extreme cold temperatures ranging from 7°F to -117°F can affect the cardiovascular, central nervous, and respiratory systems. The body loses heat faster than it can be produced, leading to hypothermia or frostbitten tissues. Proper protective clothing, frequent changing of wet layers, and avoiding moisture are recommended to prevent loss of body heat.