Overnight heat in sleep spaces of housed and unhoused residents: results and recommendations from a Knoxville, Tennessee, case study.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Overnight heat in sleep spaces of housed and unhoused residents: results and recommendations from a Knoxville, Tennessee, case study.
Authors: Ellis, Kelsey N.1 (AUTHOR) ellis@utk.edu, First, Jennifer M.2 (AUTHOR), Kintziger, Kristina W.3 (AUTHOR), Hunter, Ella1 (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Biometeorology. Apr2024, Vol. 68 Issue 4, p637-646. 10p.
Subject Terms: *Urban heat islands, *Sensor placement, *Urban parks, *Sleep, *Air conditioning
Geographic Terms: Knoxville (Tenn.)
Abstract: Nighttime heat is an important factor in heat-health outcomes, though nighttime heat exposure and its impacts are poorly understood. We assessed overnight heat in indoor (n = 12) and outdoor (n = 3) living spaces in Knoxville, Tennessee, using iButton Hygrochrons in August 2021. Indoor sleep spaces, all of which were air conditioned, reported a variety of overnight conditions. Indoor sleep spaces were both warmer and cooler than outdoor temperatures overnight, and some participants noted having physical health effects of overnight heat in their homes. Downtown outdoor sleep spaces, including a park and encampment, exhibited an urban heat island signal, staying warmer than other outdoor areas. Future research should focus on the intensity and length of the overnight recovery period for individuals and how that affects heat-health outcomes, especially after being exposed to daytime heat. Specifically, do homes reach a cool enough temperature for recovery, and do outdoor sleeping spaces offer a long enough and cool enough period for recovery? We provide some recommendations for such future studies, including (1) focus on purposeful sampling, (2) use deliberate sensor placement for representative results, (3) prepare for participant drop-off due to non-compliance and technological problems, and (4) strategically gather demographic information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:Nighttime heat is an important factor in heat-health outcomes, though nighttime heat exposure and its impacts are poorly understood. We assessed overnight heat in indoor (n = 12) and outdoor (n = 3) living spaces in Knoxville, Tennessee, using iButton Hygrochrons in August 2021. Indoor sleep spaces, all of which were air conditioned, reported a variety of overnight conditions. Indoor sleep spaces were both warmer and cooler than outdoor temperatures overnight, and some participants noted having physical health effects of overnight heat in their homes. Downtown outdoor sleep spaces, including a park and encampment, exhibited an urban heat island signal, staying warmer than other outdoor areas. Future research should focus on the intensity and length of the overnight recovery period for individuals and how that affects heat-health outcomes, especially after being exposed to daytime heat. Specifically, do homes reach a cool enough temperature for recovery, and do outdoor sleeping spaces offer a long enough and cool enough period for recovery? We provide some recommendations for such future studies, including (1) focus on purposeful sampling, (2) use deliberate sensor placement for representative results, (3) prepare for participant drop-off due to non-compliance and technological problems, and (4) strategically gather demographic information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00207128
DOI:10.1007/s00484-023-02611-3