Journal article
Climate change and health: Indoor heat exposure in vulnerable populations
Environmental research, v 112
Jan 2012
PMID: 22071034
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and hot weather in many urban environments. Older people are more vulnerable to heat exposure but spend most of their time indoors. Few published studies have addressed indoor heat exposure in residences occupied by an elderly population. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between outdoor and indoor temperatures in homes occupied by the elderly and determine other predictors of indoor temperature.
We collected hourly indoor temperature measurements of 30 different homes; outdoor temperature, dewpoint temperature, and solar radiation data during summer 2009 in Detroit, MI. We used mixed linear regression to model indoor temperatures' responsiveness to weather, housing and environmental characteristics, and evaluated our ability to predict indoor heat exposures based on outdoor conditions.
Average maximum indoor temperature for all locations was 34.85°C, 13.8°C higher than average maximum outdoor temperature. Indoor temperatures of single family homes constructed of vinyl paneling or wood siding were more sensitive than brick homes to outdoor temperature changes and internal heat gains. Outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and dewpoint temperature predicted 38% of the variability of indoor temperatures.
Indoor exposures to heat in Detroit exceed the comfort range among elderly occupants, and can be predicted using outdoor temperatures, characteristics of the housing stock and surroundings to improve heat exposure assessment for epidemiological investigations. Weatherizing homes and modifying home surroundings could mitigate indoor heat exposure among the elderly.
► This study is the first to monitor home indoor temperatures over a whole summer. ► Senior residents experienced heat exceeding the “comfort” temperature of 28.0°C. ► Outdoor temperatures and home characteristics predicted indoor temperatures. ► These models can be used for temperature exposure assessment in epidemiology. ► This work can inform climate change adaptation and weatherization in urban areas.
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Details
- Title
- Climate change and health: Indoor heat exposure in vulnerable populations
- Creators
- Jalonne L White-Newsome - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department, 109 S. Observatory, SPH II, Rm. M6314, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USABrisa N Sánchez - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Biostatistics Department, M4164 SPH II, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USAOlivier Jolliet - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department, 6622 SPH tower, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USAZhenzhen Zhang - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Biostatistics Department, M4164 SPH II, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USAEdith A Parker - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education Department, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USAJ Timothy Dvonch - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department, 1415 Washington Heights, 6642 SPH Tower, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAMarie S O'Neill - University of Michigan School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department, 6631 SPH Tower, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Publication Details
- Environmental research, v 112
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000299804800003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84856230568
- Other Identifier
- 991014878235804721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health