What air conditioner dangers and how to prevent them

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, we are heading towards a “climate hell” (Paddison, 2024). It seems that the summer of 2024 will be the hottest on record, according to climatologist Roxana Bojariu (Milea, 2024). In such conditions, air conditioning becomes a necessity for our comfort. However, it is important to be aware of the negative effects on our health, especially when the air conditioning unit is not properly cleaned. In this article, we will delve deeper into the dangers of improper maintenance and use.

The importance of cleaning your air conditioner correctly

British researchers have revealed that our country is among the most polluted in the world, with indoor spaces being more polluted than outdoor spaces (we rank sixth globally for poor indoor air quality) (Dyson, 2022) (Dyson, 2022).

Regular air conditioner maintenance is extremely important. The humid microclimate inside is favorable for the growth of bacteria, fungi and spores and without regular cleaning, these, along with various allergens, are released into the air, affecting our health. In addition, regular maintenance will result in a higher performance of the appliance, lower energy consumption and a longer lifetime.

By regulating the room temperature, comfort increases and so does productivity. (Cedeño Laurent, et al., 2018) If the appliance is used during the summer, it is sufficient to clean it once a year and if it will be used throughout the year, cleaning should be done every six months or even more often if there is a lot of dust in the area where you live (Lockyer, 2023). As long as it is regularly and properly maintained, it can work perfectly for up to 15-20 years. (***, 2024)

In the case of car filters, they should be cleaned every 2-3 months and replaced every six months (first in spring before the pollen season and after that before the beginning of winter), according to Andreas Winkens, MD. (***, 2023)

Health effects of air conditioning

The correct use of air conditioning, in addition to improving thermal comfort and productivity (Cedeño Laurent, et al, 2021), is beneficial both for people with respiratory conditions, whom it protects from outdoor allergens and pollutants and for the elderly and those with chronic conditions, who heat affects them greatly.

The WHO warns that spending time in an overheated room can lead to heatstroke, dehydration and symptoms similar to heat exhaustion and heat exhaustion. High body temperature can cause dizziness, nausea, cramps, feeling faint and even stroke. (***, 2024)

By keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning, the presence of insects indoors can be reduced. A cooler environment favors sleep by triggering the body’s homeostatic control mechanisms. (Anderson, 2024) There are also risks when we misuse the air conditioner, excessively and without proper cleaning beforehand.

Air conditioning dries the indoor air, the humidity drops, and if we spend a long time in this environment without moisturizing, dehydration can occur, accompanied by headaches, fatigue, dry lips and skin, and dizziness (Veazey, 2023).

The aqueous layer of tear film evaporates more quickly, leading to dry, itchy and uncomfortable eyes, and without lubrication, the eyes are more vulnerable to inflammation (blepharitis) and infection(viral, bacterial or fungal conjunctivitis) (***, 2021).

Dryness can also be present in the nose, manifesting as itching, sneezing, bleeding and crusting.

The skin loses hydration, becoming dry and irritated. (Ohno, et al., 2013)

Sudden changes in temperature cause rapid constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the head, leading to aches and pains. Prolonged exposure to cold, dry air can cause inflammation of the sinuses, exacerbating migraines (Veazey, 2023).

Sudden temperature changes are also the cause of muscle aches and twitching, which can lead to spinal pain. In people who stand in the cold air, involuntary and persistent contractions of the neck muscles, neuralgia, torticollis, lumbago or acute lumbago may occur. (Amy Richter, 2021)

By exposure to air conditioning, fibromyalgia (***, 2021), characterized by diffuse pain and tenderness of muscles and soft tissue, Raynaud’s syndrome (cold hands and feet syndrome) (***, 2019), cold dermatitis (***, 2021) can be induced.

People who spend a long period in a room where the air conditioning runs at a very low temperature tend to become more lethargic. This is because cold air can lower the metabolic rate, slowing down the body’s natural processes. (***, 2018)

In the case of noisy appliances, continuous exposure to them can lead to increased stress levels and sleep disturbances. (Dutchen, 2022)

People who are in contact with cold and dry air for long periods of time may develop upper airway symptoms, with particular damage to the nose and throat. (Graudenz, et al., 2005)

When air is drawn through the appliance installation, condensation occurs and the humidity is ideal for bacteria and mold growth. Failure to properly clean the appliance can cause respiratory irritation to worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms as various allergens and pollutants (dust, pollen, mold, airborne chemicals, etc.) are released indoors, sometimes even leading to respiratory distress (Brown, et al., 2014). Also, viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores and fungi(Influenza, Coronavirus, Staphylococcus, Legionella pneumophila, Clostridium difficile, Bacillis anthracis, Aspergillus, Penicillium) can enter the home, increasing the risk of respiratory infections (Ijaz M, B, KE, JR, & SA, 2016).

One of the infectious diseases is caused by Legionella pneumophila (legionellosis), a bacterium that survives in condensed water from the air-conditioning system. The disease starts about 3-6 days after infection, with the most common symptoms present being fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and shortness of breath. Untreated, it can develop into acute pneumonia, particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and people who smoke (***, 2024).

Another condition that can be triggered by contact with infectious agents (fungi, bacteria, protozoa), proteins of animal and plant origin, organic and inorganic low-molecular-weight chemicals, is hypersensitivity pneumonitis (PH), previously called extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Acute infection occurs after several hours or days of short-term and intermittent antigen exposure and symptoms begin with fever, cough, dyspnoea, asthenia, asthenia, myalgia, altered general condition. Prevention is the most important way to avoid illness. Continued exposure to causative antigens leads to the risk of progressive lung damage. (Sforza & Marinou, 2017)

With excessive use of air conditioning, your tolerance to heat and humidity decreases and you will have difficulty adapting to an environment without it. (Ellis, 2023)

In 1984, the WHO conducted a study showing extremely poor indoor air quality. This gave rise to two categories of illness: the “sick building syndrome” and building related illness (Edward P. Horvath, 1997).

In the case of ‘sick building syndrome’, the triggering causes are not yet known, but it is assumed to be poor indoor air quality, mainly due to problems with the air-conditioning system. Symptoms include muscle aches, mucous membrane irritation (ocular and oropharyngeal), cough, dry throat, headache, drowsiness, severe fatigue, etc. (Ganji, Kalpana, Madhusudhan, Nitin Ashok John, & Taranikanti, 2023)

How to preventthe side effects of using air conditioners?

To avoid the dangers of using air conditioner, it should be cleaned properly and maintained regularly.

Rooms should be aired before using the air conditioner, the temperature should be between 21-25°C (3-5°C lower than outside is recommended) and the airflow should not be directed towards people in the room. (Ministry of the Environment Housing and Building D, 2003)

The temperature difference must be no more than 8°C when moving from one room to another and that the transition is gradual (D’Amato, et al., 2018).

Maintain optimal room humidity levels between 30-50% by using a humidifier or a bowl of water near the air conditioner (Thompson, Jachura, & Novak, 2024).

Hydrate by using moisturizers and consuming enough fluids and foods high in water.

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