Can the air conditioning unit make you sick?

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

The summer is fast approaching and as we all know, summer brings heat. Many people will try to beat the heat by using air conditioners, but there have been some concerns expressed about whether they can make you ill. How valid are those concerns?

When environmental heat is too high, we tend to get miserable, and so our work performance suffers. While there are relatively few persons who do not have to work during the summer, the heat can still affect us at home, especially when ventilation is less than ideal.

In the home setting, fans might not be helpful in some situations as they often simply circulate hot air. In addition, environmental dust and debris may also render use of air directly from the surroundings impractical, and natural ventilation may also be unreliable. These are some of the reasons that air conditioning is useful and, at times, necessary.

An air conditioner primarily reduces the temperature and humidity of the air. This cooler temperature reduces sweating, which lessens the likelihood of dehydration. It may also be designed in such a way to reduce allergens. There is also reduced nuisance of insects and parasites in air-conditioned environments and better control of the environmental conditions such as temperature, noise, wind, and dust.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Air conditioners have, however, been associated with hoarseness, sore throats, asthmatic symptoms, respiratory infections, inflammatory conditions of the eye, irritated skin, headaches, and fatigue. Cooled air cannot carry as much moisture and, therefore, is drier. As a result, it dries out the body surfaces - the skin, the throat, the sinuses, the eyes, and the nasal passages - with which it comes in contact. The dried surfaces can then form tiny cracks which can allow bacteria and other irritants to enter our bodies and wreak havoc.

The persistent moisture inside the air conditioner can also harbour bacteria and fungi. If the filters in the unit are functioning below standard, then they can facilitate the spread of disease. These organisms seem to be responsible for many of the problems associated with the use of air conditioners.

Another problem indirectly associated with the use of an air conditioner is Vitamin D deficiency. This is due to the reduced exposure to sunlight, which results from the desire to escape the heat.

To minimise the problems, drink extra fluids, ensure air-conditioning units are properly maintained, keep humidity between 60 and 70 per cent and temperature between 21C and 25C, and get early morning or late-evening sunshine.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall at 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre at Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.