The
problems associated with air conditioners arise out of overuse. With the ease
of fingertip control many people assume that the more they use their unit the
better it will be. However, a study of 770 office staff found people
working in air-conditioned offices are almost two-and-a-half times more likely
to suffer from respiratory infections than those in naturally ventilated
buildings. This study was done by Dr Dan Teculescu and he told the European
Respiratory Society's annual congress in Berlin that findings from his research
support reports of sick building syndrome in the UK,
Italy
and Scandinavia.
Summary
of the Health risk associated with Air conditioners include
- Sudden changes in temperature and humidity affect the respiratory system.
- It has a drying effect on skin and mucous membranes.
- It adds to ambient noise, contributing to noise pollution.
- The air circulation can transmit infectious respiratory diseases.
- Airborne dust and fungi can cause allergic reactions.
- Air conditioning is associated with chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, throat irritation and hoarseness.
- Air conditioning can exacerbate eye conditions such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis, as well as causing problems for contact lens wearers
Of
course air conditioners also come with its own health benefits and it include
- Extreme heat has a clear negative impact on the intellect and on physical activity and the use of air conditioning can go some way to rectifying this.
- It improves comfort levels at work and at leisure.
- It improves job performance.
- It can result in increased physical and intellectual activity.
- A lower temperature reduces the presence of insects and parasites.
- Lower temperatures mean less sweating, reducing the risk of dehydration.
- A clean air conditioning system helps exclude external allergens such as pollens.
NOTE
- Air conditioned spaces should be regularly ventilated. .
- Keep room temperature between 21º and 25º C.
- Try to maintain an average humidity of between 60% and 70%.
- Dr Tango is Consultant Physician with facts and Figures Email- caremed001@gmail.com Blackberry Pin - 2AD2AA05 Dr tango 07032452221
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