Effects of the housing envelope and living behaviour on body temperature in the elderly: A field survey

Toyohiro Kurabe, Tanji Hoshi, Yukie Hayashi, Toshiharu Ikaga

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In Japan, 50 % of heatstroke patients transported to hospital by ambulance are elderly. Most cases of heatstroke in the elderly occur at home. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the indoor thermal environment and body temperature as a critical cause of heatstroke in the elderly. A field survey comprising actual measurements and a questionnaire survey was conducted in summer 2015. The night-time standard new effective temperature (SET*) was found to be higher in multi-unit houses than detached houses, and was higher on the top floor than middle and lowest floors. Furthermore, the sublingual temperature increased by 0.03 °C per 1.0 °C increase in night-time SET*. These results will help proposals aimed at reducing the risk of heat stroke in the elderly.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHealthy Buildings Europe 2017
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Print)9788379472604
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventHealthy Buildings Europe 2017, HB 2017 - Lublin, Poland
Duration: 2017 Jul 22017 Jul 5

Publication series

NameHealthy Buildings Europe 2017

Other

OtherHealthy Buildings Europe 2017, HB 2017
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityLublin
Period17/7/217/7/5

Keywords

  • Air conditioning
  • Heatstroke
  • Indoor thermal environment
  • Sublingual temperature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of the housing envelope and living behaviour on body temperature in the elderly: A field survey'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this