Journal
JOURNAL OF BURN CARE & RESEARCH
Volume 44, Issue 2, Pages 438-445Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irac136
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This study recorded temperature measurements of six materials in a desert climate and found that sunlight-exposed surfaces had higher temperatures than shaded materials. The highest temperatures occurred between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, and a computational fluid dynamics model could predict temperatures based on sunlight inputs.
Plentiful sunlight and high temperatures in desert climates cause burn injuries from contact with sun-exposed surfaces. The peak temperature, times, and surfaces of greatest risk are not well described. This work recorded temperature measurements of six materials in a desert climate. Surface temperatures of asphalt, brick, concrete, sand, porous rock, and galvanized metal were measured throughout the summer, along with ambient temperature, and sunlight intensity. Samples were placed in both shade and direct sunlight for evaluation of sunlight effect. Seventy-five thousand individual measurements were obtained from March to August 2020. Maximum recorded temperatures for sunlight-exposed porous rock were 170 degrees F, asphalt 166 degrees F, brick 152 degrees F, concrete 144 degrees F, metal 144 degrees F, and sand 143 degrees F, measured on August 6, 2020 at 2:10 pm, when ambient temperature was 120 degrees F and solar irradiation 940 W/m(2). Sunlight-exposed materials ranged 36 to 56 degrees F higher than shaded materials measured at the same time. The highest daily temperatures were achieved between 2:00 and 4:00 pm due to maximum solar irradiance. Contour plots of surface temperature as a function of both solar irradiation and time of day were created for all materials tested. A computational fluid dynamics model was created to validate the data and serve as a predictive model based upon temperature and sunlight inputs. This information is useful to inform the public of the risks of contact burn due to sunlight-exposed surfaces in a desert climate.
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