Graphical Abstract

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Kusaka, H., Y. Nakamura, and Y. Asano, 2022: UV parasol, dry-mist spraying, and street trees as tools for heat stress mitigation. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 100, 677-685.
https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2022-035
Graphical Abstract

Plain Language Summary: Ultraviolet (UV) parasols are a reasonable countermeasure against heat stress. We observed the UTCI and WBGT under UV parasol, street trees, dry-mist spraying, and direct sunlight. UV parasol reduced heatstroke risk by one level. The observed UTCI under the UV parasol was lower than that in direct sunlight by 4.4°C. The street trees reduced the UTCI by 5.9°C. In contrast, dry-mist spraying did not mitigate heat stress in conditions with moderate winds (≥ 2 m s⁻¹).  

Highlights:

• Street trees were the best of all the countermeasures and decreased the UTCI and WBGT by 5.9°C and 1.9°C, respectively, as compared with that in direct sunlight.
• The thermal mitigation effect of the UV parasol was equivalent to 75 % of that of street trees. The UV parasol was able to decrease the UTCI by 4.4°C and WBGT by 1.3°C.
• Street trees and UV parasol reduced heatstroke risk by one level.
• Dry-mist spraying did not mitigate heat stress in conditions with moderate winds (≥ 2 m s⁻¹).