Overview

Not too long ago, the air conditioning was a luxury and it allowed only the privileged. At present it is normally seen in both the public transport system, as well as offices.

Air conditioning is a part, even if we like it or not, of our lives. Unfortunately, freezing temperatures and their poor maintenance can lead to health problems, disease-causing common but serious illness.


Contents

1. Overview
2. The benefits of air-conditioning
3. Risks
4. Bacterial infections
5. Recommendations for preventing the occurrence of diseases associated with the use of air conditioning
6. How can you cool down without air conditioning

The benefits of air conditioning

Extreme heat has a negative impact on the intellect and physical activity, so air conditioning can be a way to rectify these shortcomings.

The advantages of using air conditioning are:

- feelings of comfort at work, but also in other places
- improved performance at work
- physical activity and intellectual stimulation
- a lower temperature reduces the presence of insects and parasites
- a person less likely to sweat or dehydration
- clean air conditioning system helps to exclude external allergens such as pollen
- if the air conditioner is quality and well maintained, will renew and improve indoor air quality.

Risks

- sudden changes of temperature and humidity affect the respiratory system
- effect of drying of the skin and mucous
- contribute to noise pollution
- re-circulated air can contribute to the easy transmission of respiratory infectious diseases
- mites and fungi in air can cause allergic reactions
- air conditioning is associated with chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, throat irritation and hoarseness
- air conditioning can increase eye diseases such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis and cause problems for contact lens wearers.

Bacterial infections

- The use of air conditioning and humidity creates conditions for development of several types of bacteria that are dangerous to humans. Trays of water in air conditioning necessary for dehumidification are a place where bacteria breed, if they are not empty. Two of these severe bacterial infections are bacterial pneumonia and legionnaires disease.

- The use of air conditioning worsen respiratory conditions. In some parts inside the air conditioning condensation forms and may develop microorganisms and molds. They are scattered throughout the house through air conditioner’s central system of ventilation. People with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis or asthma, can do serious lung infections, can have shortness of breath, wheezing, and other severe symptoms.

- Indoor air contamination. Experts warn that indoor air can be more polluted with bacteria, molds, pollen, pet dander and viruses than that from the outside. Since people spend most time indoors, this problem increase the risk of worsening of conditions in people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore necessary to reduce, by constant ventilation of the rooms, indoor air pollutants.

- Legionnaires’ disease. Another condition is often triggered by air conditioning Legionnaires disease, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that grow in warm and moist parts of an air conditioner.

Initial symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include loss of energy, headaches, nausea, body ache, high fever and chest pain. If not treated immediately, Legionnaires’ disease can affect the body and can cause permanent physical and mental disorders. The disease can be fatal if fever is high and antibodies can’t do their job.

Recommendations for preventing the occurrence of diseases associated with the use of air conditioning

Disease risk can be reduced by:

- maintaining proper conditions of air conditioning and verification, periodical, by a professional
- regular ventilation of air conditioned spaces
- professional installation and maintenance is recommended for both individual units and centralized systems.
- maintaining a room temperature between 21-25 degrees in Celsius
- maintain humidity between 60-70%

How can you cool down without air conditioning

- Pull the blinds and curtains during the day to block heat of the sun. Once the sun begins to heat your home, close all windows and exterior doors, in most of the day. Do this until nightfall, when temperatures are cool enough to open windows at night.

- Open windows at night, so the cold night air to enter the house all night. Leave as many doors open to ventilate the house each room and the heat of the day will be eliminated.

- Try to lower the temperature of the house, with ceiling fans located in or near a window. Position the fan so that cold air to reach the lower floors too and cool the warm air from the ceiling.

- Made your own air conditioning. Place a metal bowl with ice in front of a fan and adjust the fan so that air blowing over ice. When ice melts, replace it.

- Do not create steam. During the day, avoid to take hot showers, to wash dishes or to cook the temperature drops. Make sure that the room was not getting hot air from the dishwasher or laundry, as the oven door closes properly.

For you to be restful sleep at night, during the summer, try these ideas:

- place a small pillow in the freezer an hour before or two before going to bed
- put the sheets in the cool ventilated area during the day, the air. Put them on the bed a few minutes before bedtime
- use satin sheets: this fabric you will be smoother and cooler during sleep.

email

print