Does Air Conditioning Cause Illnesses?

In this blog article, we will look into whether air conditioning causes illnesses. This topic has been up for debate for many years, so we will cover whether the illnesses linked to air conditioners are actually caused by external factors rather than air conditioning units themselves.

Illnesses Associated With Air Conditioners

Over the years there have been several illnesses that have been unofficially associated with the use of air conditioners. Air conditioners have been found not to make people become ill, however, with poor cleaning routines and low maintenance, they can increase the likelihood of exposure to pathogens that cause illnesses. Below is a list of the most common illnesses which air linked to air conditioning:

1. Headaches & Dizziness
2. Dry Skin From Low Humidity Levels
3. Sore Throat & Breathlessness
4. Heat Intolerance & High Blood Pressure

What Causes The Illnesses

These illnesses are more than often caused due to unkept air conditioning systems. When aircon systems are not properly cleaned or maintained the chance of catching an illness is increased as pathogens can then be easily passed around in the air due to a dirty air conditioner. If your workplace or home is also not cleaned regularly, this will also cause issues as your environment can then become a breeding ground for both bacteria and mould. Your air conditioner will then circulate the allergens which are already present in your premises to lead to illnesses.

Running your system too cold can also lead to sickness. Cold-causing viruses spread most rapidly under conditions of low humidity and in cold environments. So, when your ac system is set to an extremely low temperature it will aid the spreading of these viruses. This can then result in people around your air conditioner picking up colds or witnessing sore throats or breathlessness. The low humidity levels can also cause the skin to become dry as well.

These ultra-cold temperatures can also prevent the skin from protecting our bodies from heat loss which can, in turn, affect heat intolerance and high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that cold environments over a long term period can lead to headaches and dizziness.

So, it is clear that these illnesses are mainly caused by the cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of air conditioning systems not being carried out properly rather than being caused by the actual ac systems.

How to Avoid Illnesses With Aircon Systems

To avoid illnesses being caused by your air conditioning system, you should ensure that your units and filters are regularly checked, cleaned and maintained. This way you can ensure that your AC system is always clean and free of any dirt or bacteria to keep people who are exposed to air conditioning safe and protected from illnesses. As well as keeping your air conditioner clean, it is also essential that your environment is clear of any mould, mildew or any other dirt or bacteria that is present. If you have any issues of moisture in your building, you should also address this problem so it can be alleviated as soon as possible. By completing these simple tasks on a frequent basis, you will avoid causing illnesses such as colds, sore throats and breathlessness.

To avoid illnesses like dry skin, headaches and dizziness you should ensure that your air conditioner remains at a temperature that is not too cold. This will also prevent heat intolerance and high blood pressure caused by low humidity. If this is still unsuccessful in preventing these illnesses you can add a humidifier alongside your air conditioning unit which will solve issues of low humidity in your environment.