A recent study conducted by a team of physiologists at the University of Ottawa’s Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit has shed light on the effectiveness of electric fans in lowering core body temperatures in older individuals during periods of high temperatures. Published in JAMA, the study aimed to investigate the impact of using electric fans on elderly volunteers in high-temperature conditions.
The researchers were prompted to conduct this study as a response to the alarming number of heat-related deaths among older individuals during recent heat waves in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest where extreme temperatures are uncommon. With many older individuals lacking access to air conditioning in the region, health officials had recommended the use of electric fans as a cooling solution.
The study involved 18 volunteers aged between 65 and 72, who were placed in a climate-controlled temperature chamber with an electric fan. The researchers controlled the temperature in the chamber at 36°C with a humidity level of 45%, while testing the fan at three different settings: off, slow, and fast. The participants were monitored throughout the experiments to prevent overheating.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that neither the slow nor fast fan setting had any significant impact on the core body temperature of the volunteers compared to when the fan was turned off. Additionally, while the slow fan setting provided little cooling effect, the fast setting made the volunteers feel cooler, potentially masking the rise in their core body temperatures.
These findings challenge the common recommendation of using electric fans as a cooling strategy for older individuals during heat waves. The researchers caution that the perceived cooling effect of fans may not accurately reflect the body’s actual temperature, leading to a false sense of security. This underscores the importance of exploring alternative cooling methods for older individuals, especially in regions where air conditioning is not readily available.
For more information on this study, refer to the publication in JAMA titled “Effect of Electric Fans on Body Core Temperature in Older Adults Exposed to Extreme Indoor Heat” by Fergus K. O’Connor et al. The study findings highlight the need for further research and tailored strategies to protect older individuals from heat-related illnesses during extreme weather events.
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