Temperature Profiles of Sunlight-Exposed Surfaces in a Desert Climate Determining the Risk for Pavement Burns

Compared to traditional burns, pavement burns are associated with increased length of hospital stay, higher total hospital costs, and a higher likelihood of operative management. The authors measured the temperature of different surfaces exposed to sunlight, to better understand the risk of burn injury due to hot pavement in desert climates. They found that surfaces in sunlight were 36-56 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the same materials in the shade. These findings can be incorporated into hospital burn surge plans as heat domes and other extreme heat incidents increase across the U.S.