High indoor temperatures – Estimation of minimal risk and maximum acceptable temperatures for selected cities

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City & Lancet’s curve	Papers used as evidence	Information extracted
Boston The minimal risk indoor temperature would be 21-22oC. The maximum acceptable temperature would be 25oC	1. Nguyen et al. 2013. Relationship between indoor and outdoor temp (in Harvard staff/student homes) → linear regression for warmer temperature
	2. Nguyen & Dockery, 2016. Daily indoor/outdoor relationship in different cities	- Only one home in each city - Indoor temp in Boston is stable year round (without extreme heat) - Linear indoor/outdoor relationship from >21oC
New York The minimal risk indoor temperature would be 22-24oC The maximum acceptable temperature would be 27-28oC	1. Quinn et al. 2014. Predicting indoor heat exposure Parameters of the equation shown in next column	- 265 homes of low & middle incomes
	2. Uejio et al. 2015. Summer indoor heat exposure & emergency calls in NY - Temp measured by emergency staffs during home visits	- Multivariate model for best fit
	3. Tamerius et al., 2013 Socioeconomic and Outdoor Meteorological Determinants of Indoor Temperature and Humidity in New York City Dwellings
London/Manchester The minimal risk indoor temperature would be 22-23oC The maximum acceptable temperature would be ~25oC	1. Wright et al. 2005. Dwelling temperature and comfort during the August 2003 heatwave
Harbin The minimal risk indoor temperature is ~24oC The maximum acceptable temperature would be 26oC	1. Wang et al. 2010 Thermal responses for naturally ventilated residential buildings in Harbin since people have the custom of opening their windows	- During summer, range and average temperature is similar between indoor and outdoor
South Korea The minimal risk temperature is ~25-26oC The maximum acceptable temperature would be ~29-30oC	1. Kim et al, 2012. Effect of heatwave on body temperature and blood pressure in the poor and elderly Indoor ~outdoor + 2°C
	2. Moon et al. 2014. Seasonal evaluation of bioaerosols In spring & summer, indoor temperature ~outdoor temperature
Thailand The minimal risk temperature is ~30oC The maximum acceptable temperature would be ~32oC	1. Studies in neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam indicated that Indoor temperature ≥ Outdoor temperature (Kamar et al., 2012; Wong & Li, 2007; Nguyen & Dockery, 2016)	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (far left) by (Nguyen & Dockery, 2016)

Contributors

The analysis was conducted by Lidia Morawska and Phong Thai (International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Australia).

References

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