The Effects of Electric Fan Use Under Differing Resting Heat Index Conditions: A Clinical Trial

Morris, Nathan B.; English, Timothy; Hospers, Lily; Capon, Anthony; Jay, Ollie

doi:10.7326/m19-0512

Cited by 71 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…~20–50-times less A/C) ( Jay et al, 2019 ; Bachar et al, 2012 ) cooling strategy. However, their cooling effect during a heatwave is dependent on the prevailing combination of temperature and humidity ( Morris et al, 2019b ), which can vary greatly across the United States. Fans improve skin surface evaporation in humid conditions, but in low humidity conditions sweat evaporates readily, even without a fan, and therefore fans provide no additional benefit ( Morris et al, 2019b ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, their cooling effect during a heatwave is dependent on the prevailing combination of temperature and humidity ( Morris et al, 2019b ), which can vary greatly across the United States. Fans improve skin surface evaporation in humid conditions, but in low humidity conditions sweat evaporates readily, even without a fan, and therefore fans provide no additional benefit ( Morris et al, 2019b ). When air temperature exceeds skin temperature (~35 °C/95 °F) fans also accelerate dry heat transfer towards the body, via convection ( Cramer and Jay, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When air temperature exceeds skin temperature (~35 °C/95 °F) fans also accelerate dry heat transfer towards the body, via convection ( Cramer and Jay, 2019 ). A recent clinical trial ( Morris et al, 2019b ) showed that increases in physiological heat strain and thermal discomfort were lower with fan use during an acute exposure to the peak conditions of the most deadly hot/humid heat wave in recent US history (Chicago, 1995; 40 °C/104 °F, 50%RH). While in very hot/arid heat wave conditions (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electric fans: A potential stay-at-home cooling strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer?

Hospers

Smallcombe

Morris

et al. 2020

Science of The Total Environment

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Current public health guidance designed to protect individuals against extreme heat and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is seemingly discordant, yet during the northern hemisphere summer, we are faced with the imminent threat of their simultaneous existence. Here we examine the environmental limits of electric fan-use in the context of the United States summer as a potential stay-at-home cooling strategy that aligns with existing efforts to mitigate the spread of SARS-COV-2.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electric fans: A potential stay-at-home cooling strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer?

Hospers

Smallcombe

Morris

et al. 2020

Science of The Total Environment

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“…Of note, the efficacy of fan use is diminished when highly insulative (e.g. protective clothing) is worn or if work is undertaken in exceptionally hot and dry environments [114].…”

Section: Environmental Conditioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable solutions to mitigate occupational heat strain – an umbrella review of physiological effects and global health perspectives

et al. 2020

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Background: Climate change is set to exacerbate occupational heat strain, the combined effect of environmental and internal heat stress on the body, threatening human health and wellbeing. Therefore, identifying effective, affordable, feasible and sustainable solutions to mitigate the negative effects on worker health and productivity, is an increasingly urgent need. Objectives: To systematically identify and evaluate methods that mitigate occupational heat strain in order to provide scientific-based guidance for practitioners. Methods: An umbrella review was conducted in biomedical databases employing the following eligibility criteria: 1) ambient temperatures > 28°C or hypohydrated participants, 2) healthy adults, 3) reported psychophysiological (thermal comfort, heart rate or core temperature) and/or performance (physical or cognitive) outcomes, 4) written in English, and 5) published before November 6, 2019. A second search for original research articles was performed to identify interventions of relevance but lacking systematic reviews. All identified interventions were independently evaluated by all co-authors on four point scales for effectiveness, cost, feasibility and environmental impact. Results: Following screening, 36 systematic reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most effective solutions at mitigating occupational heat strain were wearing specialized cooling garments, (physiological) heat acclimation, improving aerobic fitness, cold water immersion, and applying ventilation. Although airconditioning and cooling garments in ideal settings provide best scores for effectiveness, the limited applicability in certain industrial settings, high economic cost and high environmental impact are drawbacks for these solutions. However, (physiological) acclimatization, planned breaks, shading and optimized clothing properties are attractive alternative solutions when economic and ecological sustainability aspects are included in the overall evaluation.

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“…Policy makers should be aware that these cooling strategies are often environment specific. For example, the ingestion of cold water/ice slurry will not result in a net body cooling effect in all environments (due to a resultant blunting of sweat drive and evaporation)13 while similarly, a fan in isolation may not promote a net cooling effect in a very hot and dry environment (due to promoting additional convective heat gain) 14 17. The implementation of within-event cooling strategies should be chosen in the context of the sport (ie, pragmatics) and the prevailing level of environmental stress.…”

Section: Risk Mitigation Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for the development of extreme heat policies in sport and exercise

Chalmers¹,

Anderson

Jay

2020

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med

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We detail key considerations for the development of extreme heat policies in sport and exercise. Policies should account for the four environmental parameters (ambient temperature, humidity, air velocity, and mean radiant temperature) and two personal (activity and clothing) parameters that determine the prevailing thermoregulatory strain during exercise in the heat. Considerations for how to measure environmental stress and convey the level of risk are discussed. Finally, we highlight the need to include feasible cooling strategies that are relevant for the prevailing environmental conditions.

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The Effects of Electric Fan Use Under Differing Resting Heat Index Conditions: A Clinical Trial

Cited by 71 publications

References 3 publications

Electric fans: A potential stay-at-home cooling strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer?

Electric fans: A potential stay-at-home cooling strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer?

Sustainable solutions to mitigate occupational heat strain – an umbrella review of physiological effects and global health perspectives

Considerations for the development of extreme heat policies in sport and exercise

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