title: Variation of surface temperatures of different ground materials on hot days: Burn risk for the neuropathic foot.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between ambient temperature and surface temperatures of commonly used building/ground materials, in order to estimate the risk of contact thermal injury. It is an observational study where the air ambient temperature and the surface temperatures of slate, metal, cement, sand, brick and bitumen, were measured, in shaded and unshaded conditions, on cloudy and cloudless days in summer in Adelaide, South Australia. All unshaded surfaces reached temperatures capable of causing significant sole of foot burns given requisite exposure time in both clear and overcast conditions, even with a relatively low ambient temperature. Shade imparted total protection from irreversible thermal injury for all of the ambient temperatures assessed. Although surface temperatures were reduced in overcast conditions, the temperatures recorded were still capable of causing thermal injury. Peripheral neuropathy prolongs heat exposure times, often resulting in significant and complex injury, requiring lengthy treatment and generating potentially poor functional outcomes. This study provides a reference point for the enactment of preventative measures for at risk population groups such a diabetics.
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: thomas.clifton@health.sa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clifton
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Teng-Wei
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrawos
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sumana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: John Edward
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Greenwood
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D003252:Construction Materials; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008670:Metals; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D013021:South Australia; D013472:Sunlight
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008670:Metals; C006647:asphalt
keywords: Ambient temperature; Contact burns; Diabetes mellitus; Foot burns; Peripheral neuropathy; Surface temperature