THERMAL COMFORT CONDITIONS AND HEALTH RISKS TO SÃO LUÍS (MA) URBAN POPULATION

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze how the climate, associated with the types of constructive materials in areas of socio-spatial vulnerability compromises the health of the urban population of Sao Luis (MA). The research is particularized by relating the study of urban climate and thermal comfort to the socio-spatial conditions of the population, through interdisciplinary methods and by using Subsystem for Thermodynamic analysis of the urban climate proposed by Monteiro (1976) as theoretical and methodological foundation. Thermal comfort was monitored and evaluated in 9 (nine) internal environment residences with different building standards, especially in area coverage of socio-spatial vulnerability of Sao Luis from October to November 2012. To classify thermal comfort factors used in homes, reference indexes established by Thom and Bosen (1959) were used. In addition, to qualitatively evaluate the degree perception regarding thermal comfort of the population involved and the possible association with certain types of symptoms and diseases, 40 questionnaires were applied in each one of the three monitored areas seeking to investigate in loco if there was a relationship of prevalence of these symptoms due to constructive attributes of households.