Saint-Gobain Isover - Isover backs calls for insulating the elderly against heat
Never mind the winter, one of the UK’s
leading insulation manufacturers, Saint-Gobain Isover, is
backing calls to help reduce the numbers of elderly people who
die during heat waves.
New medical research from the French Institute of Public Health
Surveillance shows that installing home insulation can help
reduce mortality among the elderly during heat waves that are
becoming more common due to global warming.
Now, Saint-Gobain Isover is advising architects to consider this
when designing new homes, contractors when refurbishing
properties, and house owners of the grants available to install
or upgrade insulation.
“I think we are all capable of forgetting that you can insulate
as much against the heat as the cold,” said Isover marketing
manager Gerry Mitchell. “But in this climate of global warming,
it should now be a first consideration for all involved in the
design and specification of new buildings and those involved in
any way with the care of the elderly.
“Although the UK has a relatively temperate climate, we are
seeing more and more instances of weather extremes and it is
only prudent that as well as insulating against the cold we
should also be doing the same for heat. That way, we will have
homes and properties that are thermally efficient all year
round.”
Researchers investigated the causes of thousands of excess
deaths during a severe heat wave that hit France in August 2003.
They found 35% of the sample died of heat-related factors and
identified a lack of thermal building insulation was a main risk
factor associated with that. A recommendation of the report was
to provide insulation to older buildings.
In their report, published in the European Journal of Public
Health*, the researchers said: "Housing characteristics
associated with death were lack of thermal insulation and
sleeping on the top floor, right under the roof.”
With predictions of another hot summer in the UK, which may very
well be the start of a long-term trend, Mitchell believes we can
learn some valuable early lessons from the French experience.
“At Isover, we have introduced a range of high-performance
thermal insulants to meet the demands of the new Building
Regulations. However, these new Regulations are intended to
cater for the long-term health of the planet so it is a
satisfying thought that our products will also contribute to the
health and well-being of the most vulnerable of our population.”
Email:
tracy@tlcpr.co.uk