Wet Bulb Research Articles

Packing house climatizado com resfriadores evaporativos - parte 1: Exposição ocupacional ao calor

ABSTRACT Agribusiness workers are regularly exposed to high temperatures, even in covered environments such as packing houses. This study aimed to assess the effect of evaporative coolers on reducing occupational heat exposure for workers and consequently improving the thermal comfort of the selection and packaging areas in a table grape packing house. The evaluation was conducted as per the criteria of the Brazilian legislation, based on the Regulatory Norms (NR’s) 15 and 17 of the Department of Labor. The study was conducted during two climatic production periods, dry and rainy, with the evaporative coolers on and off. With the coolers on, the workers’ occupational exposure to heat was reduced without exceeding the wet bulb globe temperature index tolerance limit for the activities carried out according to the NR 15. However, it did not provide adequate thermal comfort indices according to NR 17. Under semiarid conditions, coolers rendered the environment thermally comfortable for local workers. To reduce the risks to workers’ health, it is suggested that they take breaks in case of discomfort from the heat and provide workers with water and mineral salts to replenish sweat loss.

Thermal comfort perception among park users in Prague, Central Europe on hot summer days-A comparison of thermal indices.

The assessment of human perception of the thermal environment is becoming highly relevant in the context of global climate change and its impact on public health. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the suitability of the use of four frequently used thermal comfort indices (thermal indices)-Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WGBT), Heat Index (HI), Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI)-to assess human thermal comfort perception in three large urban parks in Central Europe, using Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as a case study. We investigated the relationship between the four indices and the thermal perception of park visitors, while taking into account the effect of the sex, age, and activity of the respondents and the week-time and daytime of their visit (assessed parameters). Park visitors were interviewed during the summertime, while collecting meteorological data. The correlations were performed to explore the relationship between the thermal perception and the individual thermal indices, multivariate statistical methods were used to explain how well the variation in thermal perception can be explained by the assessed parameters. We found a significant association between all the indices and thermal perception; however, the relationship was the strongest with HI. While thermal perception was independent of sex and week-time, we found a significant effect of age, physical activity, and daytime of the visit. Nevertheless, the effects can largely be explained by thermal conditions. Based on the results, we conclude that all the investigated indices are suitable for use in studies of thermal comfort in parks in Central Europe in summertime, while HI seems the most suitable for architects and planners.

IoT technology as a support tool for the calculation of Crop Water Stress Index in a Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay vineyard in Northern Italy

Nowadays agriculture is one of the main sectors affected by climate change. The continuous increase of temperature and drought periods are posing serious problems in terms of shift of plants’ phenological phases and a reduction of crop yield quantity and quality. Among the indexes used to assess plant water status, the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) is one of the most studied due to its ease of calculation. We performed a study in a vineyard in Trentino (San Michele all’Adige, Northern Italy) where we took advantage of IoT Technology to build a device to measure leaf temperature and automatically calculate the CWSI. Parameters necessary to determine the CWSI were the temperature of a non-transpiring leaf, (artificial 3D printed black leaf), and the temperature of a fully-transpiring leaf (wet bulb temperature of the air). We compared various types of thermometers to measure temperatures of the real leaves, and with repeated measuring campaigns performed during the summer of 2022 we could obtain spatial maps of CWSI that could highlight the stress levels of the vineyard and therefore address the irrigation management in a context of precision agriculture.

Risk for exertional heat illness among US army enlistees: climate indexes, intrinsic factors and their interactions.

To characterise intrinsic and extrinsic (climatic) risks for mild and severe exertional heat illness (EHI) among first-year army enlistees. We examined 337 786 soldiers who enlisted between 2012 and 2019. Survival models were used to predict incident EHI from intrinsic factors (demographics, healthcare utilisation, chronic conditions, body mass index (BMI), Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), upper/lower respiratory tract infections (URTI and LRTI), skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI), extrinsic factors (geographical region, daily mean Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)) and interactions. There were 1390 cases of mild and 359 cases of severe EHI. Females had a higher risk for mild (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.78; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.02) but a lower risk for severe (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.87) EHI. Obesity was associated with severe EHI (aOR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.84) but not mild EHI (aOR: 1.03; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.39). URTI was associated with severe (aOR: 2.44; 95% CI 1.12 to 5.30) and mild (aOR 3.72, 95% CI 2.84 to 4.87) EHI, as were LRTI (severe, aOR: 11.40; 95% CI 6.09 to 21.32; mild, aOR 2.06; 95% CI 1.22 to 3.46), but not SSTI. UTCI outperformed WBGT in predicting EHI. Outside the Southern USA, EHI risk was elevated at lower UTCI. Associations varied over climate conditions and generally did not increase with climatic heat stress. Respiratory infections were associated with the highest risk for EHI in soldiers. Risk mitigation strategies may include monitoring prevention and recovery from respiratory infections. Female sex and obesity may have different associated risks over climate conditions.

Impact of irrigation on farmworkers’ heat stress in California differs by season and during the day and night

Farmworkers, the frontline workers of our food system, are often exposed to heat stress that is likely to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change. Irrigation can either alleviate or exacerbate heat stress, quantification of which is crucial in intensely irrigated agricultural lands such as the Imperial Valley in southern California. We investigate the impact of irrigation on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a key indicator of heat exposure in humans, using a validated high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) regional climate model, during day and night and in different seasons. We find that irrigation reduces WBGT by 0.3–1.3 °C during the daytime in summer due to strong evaporative cooling. However, during the summer nights, irrigation increases WBGT by 0.4–1.3 °C, when a large increase in humidity sufficiently raises the wet-bulb temperature. Urban and fallow areas adjacent to cropped fields also experience increased heat stress due to moisture advection from irrigated areas. Our results can inform heat-related policies in agricultural regions of California and elsewhere.

Heat disproportionately kills young people: Evidence from wet-bulb temperature in Mexico.

Recent studies project that temperature-related mortality will be the largest source of damage from climate change, with particular concern for the elderly whom it is believed bear the largest heat-related mortality risk. We study heat and mortality in Mexico, a country that exhibits a unique combination of universal mortality microdata and among the most extreme levels of humid heat. Combining detailed measurements of wet-bulb temperature with age-specific mortality data, we find that younger people who are particularly vulnerable to heat: People under 35 years old account for 75% of recent heat-related deaths and 87% of heat-related lost life years, while those 50 and older account for 96% of cold-related deaths and 80% of cold-related lost life years. We develop high-resolution projections of humid heat and associated mortality and find that under the end-of-century SSP 3-7.0 emissions scenario, temperature-related deaths shift from older to younger people. Deaths among under-35-year-olds increase 32% while decreasing by 33% among other age groups.

Full optimal geometric exploration of M-cycle indirect evaporative dewpoint cooler using a substantial experiment-oriented AI algorithm

The most interesting feature of Maisotsenko indirect evaporative cooler (MIEC) is sub wet bulb supply temperature via water vaporization while adding zero humidity to the final product air. However, for a given thermal/fluid condition, achieving sub wet-bulb temperature while maximizing supply air mass flow is only possible within a unique range of geometric factors. Besides, the influence of each geometric factor on the performance of the cooler changes as any other geometric parameter varies. If only five values are considered for each parameter, 625 geometric combinations are possible. Artificial Intelligence seems the only helpful tool to handle such cumbersome and complex situations. Hence, in this research, first, an experimentally validated analytical model is employed to train a machine learning (ML) model considering geometric parameters of the cooler. Then, the ML model is employed to generate all possible geometric combinations of the cooler. It is noted that the inlet air thermal conditions, dry side airflow, and wet-to-dry side airflow ratio are fixed on certain values, making the absolute results valid only for these thermal/fluid conditions. For different ambient air or fluid flow conditions, the optimal geometry will vary, requiring the ML model to be re-run. However, the general trends of the curve may still serve as a guide. According to the results, the impact level of each parameter significantly depends on the values of other parameters as well. For example, while a larger channel length leads to a colder supply temperature, the extent of its impact depends on the channel gap and channel height. When the wet and dry channel gaps are at their minimum (0.5 mm), increasing the channel length from 0.05 to 0.25 m results in a supply temperature reduction from 25 °C to around 13 °C (for a channel height of 0.4 m) and from 16 °C to around 11 °C (for a channel height of 1.2 m). This represents a reduction of about 50 % in the first case and approximately 31 % in the second case. However, when the dry/wet side gap is larger (4.5 mm), increasing the channel length from 0.05 to 0.25 m causes the supply temperature to decrease from around 35 °C to about 26 °C (for a channel height of 0.4 m) and from 30 °C to around 18 °C (for a channel height of 1.2 m). This results in a reduction of approximately 25 % in the first case and about 40 % in the second case. For industrial consulting contact the corresponding author.

Downscaled climate change threats to United States freshwater finfish aquaculture

Climate change threatens food production, yet gaps remain in our understanding of these threats to aquaculture, the fastest growing food production subsector. To build climate-resilient practices and policies we need to quantify and map current and future climate threats to aquaculture. Here, we explore how downscaled climate change [SSP 2 (eq. RCP 4.5) and SSP 5 (eq. RCP8.5), CMIP6] threats – including water scarcity, flooding, and increasing temperature – may directly affect United States (US) freshwater farmed fish (N = 7) based on their biological thermal tolerances and indirectly challenge the operations required for production, including to the human workforce. Aquaculture in the US is dominated by catfish, trout, and tilapia production and is widespread, with some form of finfish aquaculture present in every state and nearly half of all counties across the country. Given the current location of catfish, tilapia, bass, and carp in the US and their tolerance to warmer conditions, we find increasing temperatures are less likely to biologically impact these species negatively. In contrast, current trout, sturgeon, and perch production will be biologically threatened by rising temperatures. With respect to operational needs for facilities, increases in ‘wet bulb’ temperatures in the Southeast will regularly challenge human physiological limits and constrain worker capacity. Drought in the Southwest will also limit an intrinsically water dependent system, affecting nearly all taxa. While current areas of aquaculture will tend to become increasingly challenging for farmed fishes, new potential habitats will open up for nearly all species. Overall, in the absence of immediate greenhouse gas mitigation, there are several non-mutually exclusive climate adaptations, yet these adaptations can be extremely costly. Ultimately, freshwater aquaculture in the US is going to be under intense climate pressure, which may drive out small operations and cause the country to further increase dependence on international aquatic food imports.

Validation of livability environmental limits to heat and humidity.

Rising global temperatures, driven by climate change, pose a threat to human health and regional livability. Empirical data and biophysical model-derived estimates suggest that the critical environmental limits (CELs) for livability are dependent on ambient temperature and humidity. We use a well-validated, physiology-based, six-cylinder thermoregulatory model (SCTM) to independently derive CELs during sustained minimal, light, and moderate activity across a broad range of ambient temperatures and humidity levels and compare with published data. The activity and environments were considered livable if predicted core temperatures did not reach 38 ± 0.25°C within 6 h. The outcomes for minimal activity revealed CELs ranging from 34°C/95% relative humidity (RH) to 50°C/5% RH. Corresponding dry heat losses ranged from 14 to -72 W·m-2 (negative = heat gain) and evaporative heat losses ranged from 39 to 104 W·m-2. The wet-bulb temperature (Twb) at the CELs ranged from 33.3°C to 20.9°C. Activity shifted CELs toward lower temperatures and humidities. Importantly, our predicted CELs largely agree with observed livability CELs from physiology and those from a biophysical model. The physiology-grounded SCTM has utility for assessing the impact of climate change on regional livability.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to use a physiology-grounded thermoregulatory model to predict critical environmental limits (CELs) above which human thermoregulatory capacity is exceeded. The model outcomes closely approximate empirically derived CELs, showing it is a strong model for estimating and preparing for the impact of climate warming on local, regional, and world human population livability and migration.

Heat and humidity on early-life outcomes: Evidence from Mexico

I provide evidence on the detrimental effect of in utero exposure to heat and humidity on children’s health at birth in a middle-income country, Mexico. Humidity affects the body’s ability to regulate heat via perspiration and may thus exacerbate the adverse effects of high temperatures. I link temperature and humidity exposure during pregnancy to individual outcomes regarding 25 million births and stillbirths from 2008 through 2021 using Mexican administrative records. The results show that high wet-bulb temperatures adversely affect birth outcomes. Specifically, each additional day per month with a wet-bulb temperature above 24°C (equivalent to about 40°C at 25% humidity) reduces birth weight by 1.21% and increases the likelihood of preterm birth by 2%. I find that the combined effects of humidity and high temperature on birth outcomes are greater than that of high temperature alone, suggesting that the damaging effects of high temperature can be underestimated when humidity is not accounted for. I also present evidence that the adverse effects of heat on health at birth can be mitigated by adopting air conditioning.

Identification of compound flood-heatwave extremes in the Yangtze River Basin and their socio-economic exposure

Compound flood-heatwave extremes are sequential events where a heatwave closely follows a flood, posing significant threats to public health, well-being, and infrastructure. This study, based on ERA5 reanalysis data and the NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 statistical downscaling dataset with 25 climate models, developed an index to quantify the magnitude of these compound events. The study compared independent extreme events with compound flood-heatwave events, examining the differences in maximum duration and average magnitude between regular heatwaves and those occurring within compound events. It also analyzed the effects of warming and humidification on the trends of compound flood-heatwave events. Furthermore, the study explored the atmospheric dynamics of these events and quantified the impact of risk changes on population and GDP under shared socioeconomic pathways. The results show that the frequency, magnitude, and probability of compound flood-heatwave extremes have significantly increased. Compared to single extreme events, compound events present a much greater increase in risk. Under future scenarios, there is a particularly high risk of short-duration, high-intensity heatwaves occurring after floods. The rise in Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is identified as a key factor driving the increase in compound flood-heatwave events. Return period calculations suggest a growing future risk, with population exposure in the Yangtze River basin expected to rise by 2.5 to 3.5 times, and economic exposure projected to increase by 13 to 42 times. Atmospheric dynamic analysis also indicates that cyclones are closely linked to compound flood-heatwave extremes.

Heat exposure and productivity loss among construction workers: a meta-analysis

BackgroundGlobal warming is raising increasing concerns about its impact on worker productivity, particularly in industries like construction where outdoor physically demanding jobs are prevalent. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis to assess the existing evidence on the impact of heat exposure on productivity loss among construction workers.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive literature search across six databases—Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and IEEE—covering the period from database inception to September 18, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used for quality assessment. A random-effect model meta-analysis was performed, and publication bias was evaluated by Egger’s and Begg’s tests.ResultsFrom an initial pool of 1209 studies, 14 met the inclusion criteria, representing data from 2387 workers. Our findings indicate that 60% (95% CI: 0.48–0.72, p < 0.01) of construction workers exposed to elevated temperatures experienced significant productivity loss. Productivity loss was more pronounced when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeded 28 °C or when ambient temperatures surpassed 35 °C. Furthermore, workers aged over 38 (proportion = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49–0.72) and teams with female workers (ratio = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60–0.87) were more susceptible to productivity loss.ConclusionsThis review highlights heat exposure as a significant factor affecting productivity in the construction industry. We recommend prioritizing the protection of vulnerable groups such as women and older workers, developing innovative technologies and equipment for working in hot conditions, and improving the working environment to safeguard workers’ health and productivity. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term health impacts of heat exposure and develop strategies for optimizing microclimate management in construction settings.

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of Cotton Fabric Layer Materials in Micro-Capillary Absorptive Evaporative Cooling

Global warming and climate change are environmental issues and they can drive the necessity for efficient cooling materials in energy-efficient cold storage. A sustainable alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as evaporative cooling system that could assist the local farmers store and extend their produce with minimal energy use. The study aims to develop an efficient evaporative cooling system using alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as a noble cooling material. From the analytical measurements, the maximum airflow temperature drops and wet bulb depression were 3.4 and 8.95 in the day in January 2022, 2.85 and 7.35 in the day in March 2022, and 1.05 and 6.4 in the day in December 2021 mid-day operations. While maximum cooling efficiency fell in the range of 53.97%, 53.00%, and 23.08% at about 0.44 m/s airflow velocities, respectively in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 mid-day test operations. The corresponding cooling capacities of the three mid-days’ operations in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 also calculated, and the results were 44.84 w, 13.85 w, and 37.57 w. The results show the direct proportional relationship between airflow velocities and cooling performance in the developed capillary absorptive evaporative cooling. Further research into different fabric layer geometric configurations and airflow dehumidifier composite adsorbed bed layer is necessary to improve cold air production and excel energy efficiency.

Heat Exchanger Improvement of a Counter-Flow Dew Point Evaporative Cooler Through COMSOL Simulations

Due to modern comfort demands and global warming, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are widely used in many homes and buildings. However, HVAC based on the Vapor Compression System (VCS) is a major energy consumer, accounting for 20–50% of a building’s energy consumption and responsible for 29% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Dew-point evaporative coolers offer a sustainable alternative yet face challenges, e.g., dew point and wet bulb effectiveness. Given the above, dew point evaporative cooling systems may find a place to dethrone conventional air conditioning systems. This research aims to design a dew point evaporative cooler system with better performance in terms of dew point and wet bulb effectiveness. In terms of methodology, a heat exchanger as part of a counter-flow dew point cooling system was designed and analyzed using COMSOL simulations under different representative climatic, geometric, and dimensional conditions, taking into account turbulent flow. Next, our model was compared with other cooling systems. The results show that our model performs similarly to other cooling systems, with an error of around 6.89% in the output temperature at low relative humidity (0–21%). In comparison, our system is more sensitive to humidity in the climate, whereas heat pumps can operate in high humidity. The average dew point and wet bulb effectiveness were also higher than reported in the literature, at 91.38% and 147.84%, respectively. In addition, there are some potential limitations of the simulations in terms of the assumptions made about atmospheric conditions. For this reason, the results cannot be generalized but must be considered as a starting point for future research and technology development projects.

Experimental study on the performance of a novel data center air conditioner combining air cooling and evaporative cooling

Addressing challenges of high-temperature shutdowns, low energy efficiency, and limited natural cooling utilization in data center air conditioning, a novel hybrid air cooling and evaporative cooling air-conditioning(ACEC-AC) system has been developed. The system is well-suited for application in data centers located in regions with high outdoor temperatures and large dry-bulb to wet-bulb temperature differences during summer. Experimental evaluations in an enthalpy difference laboratory revealed that the hybrid system's performance in wet mode (combining air cooling and evaporative cooling) significantly outperforms its dry mode (solely air cooling) and traditional cooling units. At an outdoor temperature of 35.60 °C dry-bulb and 29.95 °C wet-bulb, the system achieved a COP of 3.85, a 21.45 % improvement over dry mode and 16.16 % higher than conventional Packaged computer room air conditioning (CRAC). Notably, the system maximizes its benefits in regions like Guangzhou, where the temperature difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb is significant, resulting in an annual operational cost savings of over 34.16 %. In conclusion, the hybrid air cooling and evaporative cooling system represents an effective energy-saving technology with great potential to enhance data center performance and reduce energy consumption.

Practical Considerations for Using Personal Cooling Garments for Heat Stress Management in Physically Demanding Occupations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using Realist Evaluation.

Due to rising temperature extremes, workplaces are seeking new solutions, such as using personal cooling garments (PCG) to mitigate and manage workplace heat exposure. This systematic review sought to assess the physiological and perceptual effects of PCGs on workers in standard work clothing performing moderate-to-heavy intensity tasks in hot environments. A peer-reviewed search strategy was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Global Health, and Business Source Complete with no language or time limits. A meta-analysis using a realist evaluation framework was then performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the PCGs. Thirty-three studies with 764 participants (98% male; average 21 ± 34 participants per study), conducted primarily in a laboratory setting (76%) were included. The studies were 193 ± 190 min in duration and consisted of a moderate-to-heavy work effort of 3.3 ± 1.0 METs in hot ambient conditions (temperature: 35.9 ± 3.3°C, 51.4 ± 12.1% relative humidity, wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT] 31.2 ± 2.6°C). The PCGs (n = 67) facilitated heat exchange through conduction (n = 39), evaporation (n = 4), convection (n = 2), radiation (n = 2), or hybrid combinations (n = 20). Conductive and hybrid PCGs offered the greatest thermoregulatory benefit, whereby core temperature (Tc) and heart rate (HR) reductions were consistently observed (Conductive: Tc: -0.3°C, HR: -12 bpm; Hybrid: Tc:-0.2°C, HR: -10 bpm), while PCGs directed at enhancing evaporative and radiative heat exchange had no or minimal effect on the physiological outcomes assessed (i.e., TC < 0.1°C, HR: < 0.7 bpm). While the PCGs had a positive overall effect, conductive options offered the most consistent benefit to workers. WBGT, clothing insulation, and duration of wear significantly affected some physiological and perceptual outcomes.

Heat causes large earnings losses for informal-sector workers in India

Abstract Heat reduces labor productivity and output in formal manufacturing but little is known about its impacts on the earnings and welfare of workers in the informal sector that comprise 82% of the labor force in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. This study reports the results from daily surveys of nearly 400 workers in two slums in Delhi for a month in the summer of 2019. Every degree Celsius increase in wet bulb temperature was associated with a fall in gross earnings of 13 ( ± 3.5 ) percentage points, a fall in earnings net of work-related expenditure of 19 ( ± 4.5 ) percentage points, an increase in the self-reported probability of sickness of the worker or a family member of 6 ( ± 0.5 ) percentage points, and a decrease in the probability that a worker went to work of 2 ( ± 0.5 ) percentage points. Net earnings were 40% lower during the two heatwaves that occurred during the study period. Over 320 million informal-sector workers in low-income and lower-middle-income countries are currently exposed to temperatures similar to those observed in this study.

The effects of applying poultry waste and coconut shell biochar on the growth and production of shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.)

Abstract The growing request for shallots, driven by increasing consumer needs, has not been matched by stable production levels. This study investigated the effects of the application of poultry waste and coconut shell biochar on shallot growth and production. Two factors were evaluated, including poultry waste with various doses of 0, 10, 20, and 30 tons/ha and coconut shell biochar with diverse doses of 0, 10, 20, and 30 tons/ha, with three replications for each treatment. Duncan Multiple Range test at a 5% significance level was performed for the statistical analysis. The yields indicated that giving 30 tons/ha of poultry waste significantly enhanced plant length and bulb count per plant. Additionally, 1The giving of 10 tons/ha of biochar significantly improved plant length, leaf number, wet bulb weight per sample, dry bulb weight per sample, and wet bulb weight per plot. However, the combination of poultry waste and coconut shell biochar did not yield significant improvements in shallot growth and production. This study highlights the potential of poultry waste and biochar as effective soil amendments for shallot cultivation while also noting the limited impact of their combined application.

Avaliação do conforto térmico em instalação de processamento de rapadura por meio do índice IBUTG

ABSTRACT The production process of non-centrifuged cane sugar (NCS) involves a significant release of steam and heat due to the evaporation of cane juices in saucepans over a solid fuel oven. This results in a warm and moisture-saturated environment, which can be suffocating for workers. This study aimed to evaluate the bioclimatic behavior of an NCS processing facility, based on the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index. In addition, solutions are suggested to mitigate possible adverse effects of heat stress. This evaluation utilized computational simulations to determine the thermal comfort perceived by the workers. The accuracy of simulations was verified against temperature and relative air humidity data collected from the facility. Bioclimatic simulations encompassed twelve treatments, involving modifications to the enclosure on the walls and lantern window, incorporating three types of roof material. The WBGT index was determined by considering the effects of the radiant heat generated by the oven and the natural ventilation area on the facility’s temperature and relative air humidity. This helps to assess the comfort experienced by the workers. The thermal zone of the oven presented heat stress conditions; therefore, rest periods and mechanical ventilation were suggested when dissipating heat and steam through natural ventilation is not possible. For workers exposed to high temperatures and thermal radiation, the use of an aluminized apron and infrared goggles for eye protection was recommended.

Multi-Domain Environmental Quality of Indoor Mixed-Use Open Spaces and Insights into Healthy Living—A Quarantine Hotel Case Study

In the post-pandemic context, data-driven design interventions that can endow architectural spaces with mixed-use and open characteristics that are adaptable and environmentally resilient are increasingly important. Ubiquitous semi-public architecture, such as hotel buildings, plays a crucial role in public health emergencies. Many hotels adopt mixed-use and open room spatial layouts, integrating diverse daily functions into a single tiny space, fostering flexible utilization and micro-scale space sharing; however, these also introduce potential health risks. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a hotel room space and discusses feasible intervention strategies for healthier renovation and rehabilitation. Taking a hotel in Shenzhen as a case, a multi-domain environmental assessment was conducted during the COVID-19 quarantine period in the summer of 2022. The study examines the health risks inherent in the hotel’s guest room and the varying patterns of IEQ factors across the hotel’s domains, including volatile organic compound concentrations, physical environmental parameters, and heat stress indices. The results illustrate diverse change trends in the chemical, physical, and heat stress factors present in the tested quarantined hotel room space throughout a typical summer day. Although most of the examined environmental factors meet local and global standards, some problems draw attention. In particular, the PM2.5 concentration was generally observed to be above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline (AQG) standards, and the interior lighting did not meet required standards most of the time. Moreover, correlation and multiple regression analyses uncover significant influence by physical environmental conditions on the concentrations of chemical pollutants in the hotel room. The study preliminarily identifies that higher relative humidity could lead to a lower concentration of CO2 while a higher PM2.5 concentration. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was observed to positively affect CO2 concentration. Further, the results suggest that even with relatively rigorous initial adjustment and re-renovation, multi-domain environmental quality in air-conditioned quarantine hotel rooms should be monitored and ameliorated from time to time. Overall, this study offers a scientific foundation for healthier upgrades of existing hotel buildings as well as provides insights into achieving environmental resilience in newly constructed hotel buildings for the post-pandemic era.