It may technically be autumn, but many communities in California are still experiencing a heatwave, and the number and severity of extreme heat events is increasing. Poorly maintained and older HVAC systems in schools may not be able to respond to higher outdoor temperatures, putting our kid’s health and school performance at risk.
Children are more sensitive to the effects of heat, according to a bulletin from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Children have:
- Higher physical activity levels
- Higher core body temperatures
- Higher metabolic rates
- Larger surface to body mass ratings
These factors can increase a child’s chance of experiencing heat stress. High temperatures and humidity can have adverse impacts on physical education by triggering coughs and asthma. Heat impacts cognitive function including reaction time, information processing, memory and reasoning, effecting a child’s performance in school.
Cooling the air during extreme heat events can be limited by aging infrastructure and high energy bills on tight school budgets! Here are some other things schools can do to reduce indoor temperatures:
- Use shades to block direct sunlight from heating indoor spaces.
- Reduce indoor heat sources such as artificial lighting and machinery.
- Limit outdoor activity during peak temperatures.
- Provide clean drinking water to keep students hydrated during extreme heat events
- Build a green roof or paint the roofs white to reduce thermal gain.
- Use plants along south facing windows to provide shade and reduce direct sunlight.
- Keep air vents clear of blockage and maintain HVAC systems to reduce energy usage.
- Use cool pavement in your school parking lot to reflect more solar energy.
EPA Bulletin: How Temperature Impacts Students