SPATIAL AND EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF HUMAN THERMAL COMFORT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research study examined the thermal comfort index of several locations in Nigeria using three different empirical indices: Thermo-hygrometric, Effective Temperature, and Humidex. The results showed that there were slight differences in the monthly variations of the indices between the rainforest and savannah regions, with the rainforest region experiencing a deeper drop in value in the month of August. The peak values of the models were consistently recorded around the onset and cessation of rainfall, occurring in February/March and October/November, respectively. The results also indicated that the least values for both models occurred in August in the rainforest region, with Thermo-hygrometric (24.75) and ETI (22.5) and Humidex (19.75) and Thermo-hygrometric (24.75). Kano in the Sudan savannah and Potiskum in the Sahel savannah were considered as the "hot zone" (less comfortable zone) with a heat index value of 22.5. This result varied greatly, with parts of the Guinea savannah, Sudan savannah, rainforest, and swampy forest all identified as "hot zones." On the other hand, Akure and Bauchi had a heat index of 19.5, indicating a "comfort zone." Over the thirtyyear period, the Thermo-hygrometric, ETI, and Humidex indices all indicated that Jos in the Guinea savannah and Bauchi in the Sudan savannah had the lowest heat index values, depicting a "cold zone," while the northern and southern parts of the country had relatively higher values, depicting a "hot zone." This study highlights the importance of considering personal, physiological, and environmental factors in the assessment of heat stress in humans.