A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association sheds light on an important issue: electric fans may not be effective in cooling indoor spaces for older individuals during extreme summer heat.
This limitation largely stems from the reduced ability of people aged 65 and above to sweat.
Consequently, indoor environments can become uncomfortably hot, resembling an oven.
Study Overview
The study monitored 18 participants, aged between 65 to 85, over three days in a climate-controlled setting designed to mimic high temperatures of 36°C and 45% humidity for eight hours.
Each participant experienced three different scenarios: one day without a fan, one day with the fan set at a moderate speed of two metres per second, and another day with the fan running at a high speed of four metres per second.
Results revealed that fan use did little to alter the physiological responses of the participants.
The average core body temperature remained consistently around 38.3°C, and heart rates hovered at approximately 100 beats per minute regardless of the fan’s speed.
Although participants reported feeling slightly more comfortable with the fan, there was no significant decrease in physiological stress associated with heat exposure.
Implications for Older Adults
Dr. Fergus O’Connor, the study’s lead researcher from Griffith University’s School of Health Sciences and Social Work, explained that older adults face a marked decline in their ability to regulate body temperature during heat waves.
Notably, their capacity to sweat diminishes significantly after they reach their 60s.
Additionally, older individuals may not recognize when they are experiencing heat stress, which can lead to severe health issues.
In Australia, extreme heat is responsible for more fatalities than any other natural disaster.
Queensland alone sees over 100 heat-related deaths each year.
Failing to maintain a cool indoor environment can lead to serious health conditions such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
Staying hydrated and using fans or air conditioning can help reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Interestingly, while humans struggle with heat, bacteria detect threats with peptidoglycans, which form a crucial part of their cell walls and help them respond to environmental changes.
Recommendations
Dr. O’Connor stressed the necessity of devising effective cooling strategies that cater specifically to older adults, especially as heatwaves become more frequent.
In southern regions, where temperatures can surge to 42°C with low humidity, fans are often less helpful as they simply circulate the hot air.
In contrast, in the humid conditions of tropical Queensland, fans can aid in evaporating moisture from the skin, albeit with limited effectiveness when temperatures are excessively high.
The study concluded that fans, when used on their own, do not provide adequate cooling in the typical sweltering summer conditions found in Queensland.
However, they do not seem to worsen the feeling of heat strain.
Dr. O’Connor also pointed out that many individuals might shy away from using air conditioning due to its high costs.
He offered a practical suggestion—setting air conditioning units to a higher range, between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius, and running them alongside fans.
This approach not only enhances comfort but can also lead to substantial savings on energy bills.
Source: ScienceDaily