Sep 8 2010
With asphalt temperatures soaring above 200 degrees F in Phoenix this summer, one company has volunteered to help cool down the schools.
Under the "Cool Schools Initiative" Emerald Cool Pavement (emeraldcoolpavements.com) is changing communities by donating labor and materials in the first "Solar Reflective Cool Pavement" offered for school playgrounds, beginning with the City of Scottsdale.
Heat is the number one cause of weather related deaths in the United States, and Phoenix is #1 in the nation. We have all suffered the heat this summer, but with the start of school, kids are now facing the last months of summer at dangerous levels of heat generated by asphalt school yards. What most people don't know is that the thermal heat radiated from the asphalt remains between 1 to 4 feet from the surface. This is the "hottest zone" where your children are expected to go outside at recess and play. The truth is that kids are at risk of heat stroke at school as a direct result of physical activity in excessive heat during recess.
What is "Cool Pavement?"
Nations Trust Ltd. announced its agenda to tackle Urban Heat Island in 2009 with the launch of Emerald Cool Pavement.
Emerald Cool Pavement
Because asphalt pavement is black in color, it absorbs and holds heat. On a typical 100 degrees F Phoenix day, old asphalt averages 150 degrees F and fresh asphalt can top 225 degrees F. "Cool Pavement" is a term developed by the EPA to describe surfacing materials for pavements that can reduce this heat; solar reflective surfaces are cool. The development of "Emerald Cool Pavement" testing by Lawrence Berkeley California Labs (DOE) and Nano-Engineering based upon MIT research to develop a durable "cool coating" that can reduce surface heat of asphalt by 50 degrees F. Lowering surface heat of asphalt also saves energy by reducing the demand on the air conditioning in adjacent buildings.
Environmental and Health Benefits are proven:
- Reduces surface heat of asphalt up to 50 degrees F
- Helps clean the air; reduces NOX 15% (smog)
- High Performance Thin Cement; long term durability
- Non-Toxic, applied with rollers; anyone can do it
- Protects and preserves the service life of asphalt
- Coated surfaces are open to use within 4 hours
- LEED Green Certified under Section 7.1 (USGBC)
- Carbon Offset Credits under UNFCCC & CCX
- Available in All Colors
Phoenix First: Scottsdale Unified School District
The first "Cool Schools" Solar Reflective Cool Pavement in the United States will be installed at Scottsdale Unified School District campus, Cochise Elementary School. Teal Blue (photo) has been selected to match the school's color theme. Charter Schools, UC Davis and other participating schools to be announced. Scottsdale's event is scheduled for September 2010. Phoenix contractors and educators who want to learn about "Emerald Cool Pavement" are invited. Food and refreshments will be served.
Source: http://emeraldcoolpavements.com/