By Aubrey Whelan, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA — During hot weather — like the wave of 90-plus-degree days that Philly will experience this week — most of the public’s attention is focused on skyrocketing outdoor temperatures that can cause serious medical complications such as heat stroke. But for many people, especially those who lack access to air-conditioning, temperatures inside can become dangerous, as well, said Leah Schinasi, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at Drexel University. In a recently published article reviewing the research on indoor overheating, Schinasi and other Drexel researchers noted that many vulnerable people, including the very old and young, spend most of their time indoors — but may not be able to adequately cool their houses in a heat wave.
“It can actually get hotter indoors than outside, and this is a really important environmental justice issue,” Schinasi said. “A lot of people who are lower-income don’t have access to an air-conditioning system, and if they do, many aren’t able to afford the energy costs associated with using them.” That can lead to dangerously high temperatures inside, which can significantly impact a person’s health, the study authors wrote in the journal Heliyon.
Overheating indoors can lead to heart and respiratory issues, a higher risk of blood clots, and impaired kidney function, among other issues. Extreme heat causes more deaths on average than any.