| 1. |
- Lundgren-Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges of using air conditioning in an increasingly hot climate
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biometeorology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0020-7128 .- 1432-1254. ; 62, s. 401-401
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- At present, air conditioning (AC) is the most effective means for the cooling of indoor space. However, its increased global use is problematic for various reasons. This paper explores the challenges linked to increased AC use and discusses more sustainable alternatives. A literature review was conducted applying a transdisciplinary approach. It was further complemented by examples from cities in hot climates. To analyse the findings, an analytical framework was developed which considers four societal levels—individual, community, city, and national. The main challenges identified from the literature review are as follows: environmental, organisational, socio-economical, biophysical and behavioural. The paper also identifies several measures that could be taken to reduce the fast growth of AC use. However, due to the complex nature of the problem, there is no single solution to provide sustainable cooling. Alternative solutions were categorised in three broad categories: climate-sensitive urban planning and building design, alternative cooling technologies, and climate-sensitive attitudes and behaviour. The main findings concern the problems arising from leaving the responsibility to come up with cooling solutions entirely to the individual, and how different societal levels can work towards more sustainable cooling options. It is concluded that there is a need for a more holistic view both when it comes to combining various solutions as well as involving various levels in society.
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| 2. |
- Lundgren-Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Climate change-induced heat risks for migrant populations working at brick kilns in India : a transdisciplinary approach
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biometeorology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0020-7128 .- 1432-1254. ; 62:3, s. 347-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the summer of 2015, India was hit by a scorching heat wave that melted pavements in Delhi and caused thousands of deaths, mainly among the most marginalized populations. One such group facing growing heat risks from both occupational and meteorological causes are migrant brick kiln workers. This study evaluates both current heat risks and the potential future impacts of heat caused by climate change, for the people working at brick kilns in India. A case study of heat stress faced by people working at brick kilns near Chennai, India, is the anchor point around which a transdisciplinary approach was applied. Around Chennai, the situation is alarming since occupational heat exposure in the hot season from March to July is already at the upper limits of what humans can tolerate before risking serious impairment. The aim of the study was to identify new pathways for change and soft solutions by both reframing the problem and expanding the solution space being considered in order to improve the quality of life for the migrant populations at the brick kilns. Technical solutions evaluated include the use of sun-dried mud bricks and other locally “appropriate technologies” that could mitigate the worsening of climate change-induced heat. Socio-cultural solutions discussed for empowering the people who work at the brick kilns include participatory approaches such as open re-localization, and rights-based approaches including the environmental sustainability and the human rights-based approach framework. Our analysis suggests that an integrative, transdisciplinary approach could incorporate a more holistic range of technical and socio-culturally informed solutions in order to protect the health of people threatened by India’s brick kiln industry.
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| 3. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Correspondence to the supplementary opinions on alternative cooling technologies in hot climate
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Biometeorology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0020-7128 .- 1432-1254. ; 62:10, s. 1929-1929
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- At present, air conditioning (AC) is the most effective means for the cooling of indoor space. However, its increased global use is problematic for various reasons. This is a correspondence to the supplementary opinion provided by Dr. Bin Yang, Dr. Stefano Schiavon, and Dr. Faming Wang to our paper titled “Challenges of using air conditioning in an increasingly hot climate.” The paper explored the challenges linked to increased AC use and discusses more sustainable alternatives. The supplementary opinion provides a great technical complement to our paper. However, there is a need for a more holistic view both when it comes to combining various solutions and involving various levels in society.
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| 4. |
- Lundgren-Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring how a traditional diluted yoghurt drink may mitigate heat strain during medium-intensity intermittent work: a multidisciplinary study of occupational heat strain
- 2018
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Ingår i: Industrial Health. - : National Institute of Industrial Health. - 0019-8366 .- 1880-8026. ; 56:2, s. 106-121
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is common practice in India to consume the dairy drink buttermilk as a way of mitigating occupational heat strain. This paper explores the thermoregulatory and hydration benefits of drinking buttermilk but also the impacts of work in a hot environment on the gut microbiota, renal and cognitive function. Twelve healthy participants were subjected to a 3-h period of medium load physical intermittent work in a climatic chamber (34 degrees C, 60% RH). The subjects were given water, buttermilk (700 ml) or no rehydration at random. Mean body temperatures when no rehydration was given were significantly higher (p <= 0.001). When subjects drank water or buttermilk they had a lower sweat rate than with no rehydration (p <= 0.05) and the perception of feeling hot, uncomfortable, thirsty and physically exerted was significantly reduced (p <= 0.05). A hormonal stress response at the end of the exposure was seen when not drinking (p <= 0.05). No differences in cognitive abilities and gut microbiota were found. The exposure lowered the renal blood flow suggesting an acute impact of short term heat exposure. It was also found that buttermilk has a protective effect on this impact. Our results demonstrated that keeping hydrated by water/buttermilk consumption mitigates heat strain in well-nourished subjects.
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| 5. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin
(författare)
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The heat is on : Evaluation of workplace heat stress under a changing climate
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: There are several scientific indications that increasing heat due to climate change is going to become the next big societal and scientific challenge. Climate change is recognized as a significant public health threat. However, there is a lack of research on its impacts on occupational safety and health. Aims and Objectives: The general aim of the research presented in this thesis was to identify impacts, evaluate assessment tools and explore solutions to the effects of increasing heat at different workplaces. The research had four specific objectives: 1) To identify gaps in the existing knowledge of occupational heat stress and its links with a changing climate (Papers I, II, V). 2) To carry out a field study in workplaces situated in already hot areas of the world, namely in Chennai, India, in order to assess the current and future impacts of increasing local heat due to climate change (Papers II, V). 3) To evaluate the current standard assessment tools for hot environments (Papers II, III). 4) To investigate site-specific sustainable solutions to increasing heat, including technical, managerial and socio-cultural solutions (Papers II, IV, V). Methods: To address the specific objectives, a wide array of research techniques and qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The methods included literature reviews, case studies, heat stress assessment techniques, questionnaire surveys, thermal manikin measurements, application of thermophysiological models and an experimental study conducted in a climatic chamber.Results: This research showed that occupational heat exposure is already a problem in Chennai, India, affecting workers’ health and productivity. The problems are set to worsen due to climate change. Female workers are more prone to heat stress due to the use of clothing that inhibit heat dissipation. Physiological models are also less accurate in predicting heat strain for females. The Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model (ISO 7933:2004a) can be applied to estimate thermal physiological responses and indirectly to estimate labour productivity loss due to heat exposure. However, caution has to be taken when analysing intermittent work as the PHS over-predicts body cooling at low activity. Traditional methods of coping with heat stress were analysed and the traditional Indian fermented dairy drink, ‘buttermilk’, proved to be as effective as water in reducing thermal strain. Buttermilk also had a protective effect on renal function. The analysis and evaluation of solutions require transdisciplinary and holistic approaches, including not only technical solutions but also a mix of locally appropriate technologies integrated with a human rights and environmental justice frame.Conclusion: Occupational heat stress is already a problem, affecting workers’ health and productivity. The situation is bound to worsen due to climate change. Because of this, it is important to assess and validate current assessment tools and develop sustainable solutions.
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| 6. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Värmestress i urbana inomhusmiljöer : Förekomst och åtgärder i befintlig bebyggelse
- 2018
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Ingår i: Värmestress i urbana inomhusmiljöer - Förekomst och åtgärder i befintlig bebyggelse. ; 18060
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Bokkapitel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- This literature review describes how heat stress can develop indoors, how it can be identified, and what actions can be taken, with a focus on property owner’s responsibilities. The review is limited to existing buildings in Sweden and includes schools, retirement homes, apartments, preschools, and non-industrial offices (those without industrial processes that produce heat). The expected climate changes increase the risks of heat stress, especially in urban areas where urban heat islands can develop. Strong heat can have several negative health outcomes, and this report has identified the risk groups as the chronically ill, people who take certain medications or have a disability, infants, pregnant women, individuals with heavy physical work, and emergency workers. There is a connection between the outdoor and the indoor climate in buildings without air conditioning, but the pathways leading to the development of severe heat levels indoors during heat waves are complex. These depend, for example, on the type of building, window placement, the residential area's thermal outdoor conditions, and the residents’ influence and behaviour. This review shows that few studies have focused on the thermal environment indoors during heat waves despite the fact that in Sweden people spend most of their time indoors and are likely to experience increased heat stress indoors in the future. Further, current Heat-Health Warning Systems (HHWS) are based on the outdoor climate, which can lead to a misleading interpretation of the health effects and hinder the development of more effective interventions. In order to identify severe heat, six factors need to be taken into account, including air temperature, heat radiation, humidity, and air movement as well as the physical activity and the clothes worn by the individual. Severe heat can be identified using a heat index that includes these six factors. However, it is noted that existing indexes do not take into account a person’s health status. This report presents some examples of heat indices that are relevant for indoor environments, as well as models that can be applied at the city level. It also highlights the need for the development of a heat index that specifically targets the identification of severe heat in indoor environments. There are a number of measures that can be taken in existing buildings to reduce heat indoors and thus improve the health and well-being of the population in urban areas. This report also describes a number of effective measures that are relevant to both property owners and its residents. Examples of effective measures to reduce heat stress indoors are the use of shading devices such as blinds and vegetation, but also personal cooling techniques such as the use of fans and cooling vests, as well as the integration of innovative Phase Change Materials (PCM) into facades, roofs, floors, and windows.
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| 7. |
- Wierzbicka, Aneta, et al.
(författare)
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Healthy Indoor Environments : The Need for a Holistic Approach
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 15:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor environments have a large impact on health and well-being, so it is important to understand what makes them healthy and sustainable. There is substantial knowledge on individual factors and their effects, though understanding how factors interact and what role occupants play in these interactions (both causative and receptive) is lacking. We aimed to: (i) explore interactions between factors and potential risks if these are not considered from holistic perspective; and (ii) identify components needed to advance research on indoor environments. The paper is based on collaboration between researchers from disciplines covering technical, behavioural, and medical perspectives. Outcomes were identified through literature reviews, discussions and workshops with invited experts and representatives from various stakeholder groups. Four themes emerged and were discussed with an emphasis on occupant health: (a) the bio-psycho-social aspects of health; (b) interaction between occupants, buildings and indoor environment; (c) climate change and its impact on indoor environment quality, thermal comfort and health; and (d) energy efficiency measures and indoor environment. To advance the relevant research, the indoor environment must be considered a dynamic and complex system with multiple interactions. This calls for a transdisciplinary and holistic approach and effective collaboration with various stakeholders.
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