Defining indoor heat thresholds for health in the UK
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION: It has been recognised that as outdoor ambient temperatures increase past a particular threshold, so do mortality/morbidity rates. However, similar thresholds for indoor temperatures have not yet been identified. Due to a warming climate, the non-sustainability of air conditioning as a solution, and the desire for more energy-efficient airtight homes, thresholds for indoor temperature should be defined as a public health issue. AIMS: The aim of this paper is to outline the need for indoor heat thresholds and to establish if they can be identified. Our objectives include: describing how indoor temperature is measured; highlighting threshold measurements and indices; describing adaptation to heat; summary of the risk of susceptible groups to heat; reviewing the current evidence on the link between sleep, heat and health; exploring current heat and health warning systems and thresholds; exploring the built environment and the risk of overheating; and identifying the gaps in current knowledge and research. METHODS: A global literature search of key databases was conducted using a pre-defined set of keywords to retrieve peer-reviewed and grey literature. The paper will apply the findings to the context of the UK. RESULTS: A summary of 96 articles, reports, government documents and textbooks were analysed and a gap analysis was conducted. Evidence on the effects of indoor heat on health implies that buildings are modifiers of the effect of climate on health outcomes. Personal exposure and place-based heat studies showed the most significant correlations between indoor heat and health outcomes. However, the data are sparse and inconclusive in terms of identifying evidence-based definitions for thresholds. Further research needs to be conducted in order to provide an evidence base for threshold determination. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor and outdoor heat are related but are different in terms of language and measurement. Future collaboration between the health and building sectors is needed to develop a common language and an index for indoor heat and health thresholds in a changing climate.
- Resource Type
- Peer-reviewed article
- Authors
- Mindy Anderson Catriona Carmichael Virginia Murray Andy Dengel Michael Swainson
- Resource URL
- http://rsh.sagepub.com/content/133/3/158
- Publication
- Perspectives in Public Health
- Journal Abbr.
- Perspect Public Health
- Volume
- 133
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 158-164
- Date
- May 2013
- DOI
- 10.1177/1757913912453411
- ISSN
- 1757-9139
- Organization Type
- Academic
- Health and Human Impact
- Heat illness/extreme temperature
- Climate and Environmental Impact
- Heat
- Solution
- Renewable/clean energy