@article{fab94be3ab5e4cb3afe3bd913350d241,
title = "Evaluating the impact of solar radiation on pediatric heat balance within enclosed, hot vehicles",
abstract = "Pediatric deaths due to children being left in hot cars remain a significant yet preventable public health concern. The current study aims to demonstrate the influence of vehicle type, time of day, and solar exposure (sun or shade) on the energy balance and core temperature (Tc) of a hypothetical two-year old boy left in a vehicle on a hot day. Cabin temperatures and relative humidity were collected within six enclosed vehicles under sun or full shade in Tempe, Arizona. These variables and radiation estimates were used to estimate the human energy balance and final Tc across 76 measurement cycles lasting approximately 60minutes. Interior temperatures averaged 39.5°C and 47.6°C in the shade and sun, respectively, at steady-state. Based on the specific heat of a human body, the average Tc after 60 minutes in shaded or sun-exposed vehicles was estimated to reach 38.2±0.29°C and 39.1±0.41°C, respectively, with a significantly higher final Tc in sun-exposed vehicles across all days and in the shaded minivan. Extrapolation to 2 hours is estimated to result in heat injury in the sun. Results demonstrate the influence of radiation on a child's thermal balance in a hot and dry environment. In real-world situations, it is critical to acknowledge variability between children, the starting car environment, and climate (e.g., humid versus dry), and that a child left in any vehicle car can experience potentially lethal core temperatures if forgotten, as shown by vehicular heat stroke statistics. Findings may improve public messaging and reinforce the need for policy action and technological adoption to prevent injury and death.",
keywords = "Pediatric, children, core temperature, heat balance, heatstroke, hyperthermia, shade, solar radiation, vehicle",
author = "Vanos, {Jennifer K.} and Ariane Middel and Poletti, {Michelle N.} and Nancy Selover",
note = "Funding Information: The study was supported by ASU Lightworks, PowerParasol{\textregistered}, the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, the International Graduate School IRTG 2057 (DFG, German National Science Foundation), and the Earnhardt Automobile Dealership. M. Poletti was also supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number DEB-1026865, Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring organizations. Funding Information: The study was supported by ASU Lightworks, PowerParasol?, the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, the International Graduate School IRTG 2057 (DFG, German National Science Foundation), and the Earnhardt Automobile Dealership. M. Poletti was also supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number DEB-1026865, Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring organizations. We extend a special thanks to Robert Boscamp and Kevin White for their assistance and for providing us with the opportunity to conduct this research project. We would also like to thank Courtney Russell, Benjamin Mackowski, and Chhatrapalsinh Jaydevsinh Sisodiya for downloading meteorological data from stationary sensors that provided background weather conditions for this study and for simulating the shopping trips in Lot 59. Additionally, a big thank you is extended to two anonymous reviewers for their very useful comments in helping improve the current paper. Finally, we would also like to thank Nalini Chhetri for managing and coordinating with various agencies in the summer of 2014, Dan Vecellio for help in reviewing, and Silvia Coccolo, Terry Gillespie, and Bob Brown for detailed methods discussions. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018, {\textcopyright} 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",
year = "2018",
month = jul,
day = "3",
doi = "10.1080/23328940.2018.1468205",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "5",
pages = "276--292",
journal = "Temperature",
issn = "2332-8940",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "3",
}