Heat stress in motor vehicles: a problem in infancy

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Pediatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Children have tragically died from heat stress after being left in closed automobiles.
• Vehicle interior temperatures can rise dangerously high in a short period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the changes in internal temperature of various automobiles left in the Brisbane summer sun.
• To determine safe ventilation levels to prevent dangerous interior temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Monitoring interior temperatures of different car sizes and colors.
• Simulating conditions of closed and partially open windows in summer sun.

Main Results:

• Car interiors reached up to 67 C within 15 minutes with windows closed.
• Even a 50 mm window gap resulted in temperatures exceeding 50 C.
• Temperatures near ambient levels were only achieved with windows at least 200 mm open.

Conclusions:

• Closed automobiles create an environment far too hot and dangerous for children.
• Partial ventilation is insufficient to prevent dangerously high temperatures.
• Parents and pediatricians must be warned about the risks of heat stress in cars.