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As summer temperatures continue to soar, many turn to air conditioning (AC) for relief. However, medical professionals warn that extended use of AC can pose several health risks, including skin and respiratory problems.
With urbanization and increasing incomes, more people are installing ACs to combat high heat exposure. AC units operate by cooling air and reducing humidity through the condensation of water vapor.
“Prolonged exposure can cause a lot of health hazards ranging from dry, flaky and stretched skin to headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odours,” said Dr. Suhas H S, a Consultant Pulmonologist at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, in a recent statement.
ACs can also exacerbate respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, and increase the risk of infections if not properly maintained, he added.
Health experts recommend limiting exposure to cold air. “The medical problem associated with air conditioning is that they do not have proper filtration. The ideal HEPA filters, which are recommended, are only found in very few high-quality air conditioners. Lack of proper filtration chokes the filters due to pollution and increases the risk of infection,” explained Dr. M Wali, Senior Consultant in the Department of Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Dr. Satish Koul, Senior Director & Unit Head of Internal Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, noted that the risk is greater in commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems compared to home AC setups. “Though not much data is available regarding home AC cooling systems and bacterial contamination, certain bacteria do form biofilms on the cooling coils and may lead to infections in humans exposed to AC for more than 90 percent of the time,” he stated.
One example is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila, which was discovered in contaminated water in HVAC systems. The bacteria spread through aerosol mist, leading to infections in humans.
Dr. Wali also warned that sudden exposure to a cold AC room after being in severe heat can cause bronchoconstriction, or narrowing of the airways. This can be particularly problematic for individuals with asthma.
To mitigate these risks, experts suggest regularly cleaning AC filters and turning off AC units every two hours to allow for a break from the cold air.
As the use of air conditioning becomes more widespread, awareness of these potential health risks and proper maintenance practices are crucial for ensuring safe and healthy use of AC systems.
