Dirty Air Conditioning Units and Its Effects on Your Health
By Space Coast Daily // July 16, 2020
What do you do when the weather is too hot to handle? You might grab a cold refreshment to get some relief, but nothing beats the air-conditioning unit’s cold air in an office, store, or room.
The cold breeze that calms you down after the searing heat outside is what everyone wants to experience. Little do we know, the cold air that relieves us is also a primary factor that makes us sick.
Did you know many air pollutants and harmful bacteria stay in an air-conditioning ventilation unit? There are many possible health hazards a dirty air-conditioning unit poses to you and your family’s welfare.
Hence, read more about it and learn what kinds of prevention that you can do to avoid these major health issues.
Contaminated AC Makes You Vulnerable From Many Ailments
A dirty air-conditioning unit becomes an ideal breeding ground for nasty mold, mildew, and fungi. These types of particles accumulate and hide deep inside the air-conditioning system.
Once the AC is turned on, the cold air that has been released, unfortunately, carries out air pollutants that contaminate the room’s environment. Once inhaled, it can become a factor for many types of illnesses, such as Legionnaires’ disease, breathing problems, and other pulmonary-related diseases.
Sick Building Syndrome
This term might sound like an ominous phenomenon, but in reality, it does exist. The term “sick building syndrome” was first used by Dr. Mark Mendell.
He is an epidemiologist who conducted a research study in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
This occurrence happened around in the ’70s and 80’s, where workers admitted that the building they’re working in seemed to be making them sick. According to Dr. Mendell’s research study, sick building syndrome is highly associated with dirty air-conditioning units contaminating the building’s air.
It caused many ailments, such as nasal congestion, headaches, fatigue, and even dry and irritated skin.
AC Can Help Ease the Discomfort Caused by Constant Weather Changes
Although a poorly maintained AC poses health risks, a well-maintained unit can save lives. According to Dr. Michelle Bell from Yale University, an AC could help alleviate the discomfort and dangers brought by intense heat waves.
Air-conditioning units have a lot of contributions when it comes to alleviating sudden weather changes. Many people attest to this, especially when climate change gets worse and worse as each year passes by.
Unlike the usual summer that you experienced as a child under the pleasant warmth of the sun, nowadays, it’s unbearable to stay long under the suns’ harsh rays. Worse, even thinking of going outside and spending an hour or two on the streets causes hesitation to many.
In Brisbane, the typical summer temperature usually ranges between 31-33°C (88-91°F). However, it can reach as high as 40-45°C (107°F).
When you are thinking of jogging around the plaza or in your subdivision, check the weather forecast before doing so. You might end up getting a heat stroke, something you wouldn’t like to happen.
That is why many residents and businesses always make sure to have their air-conditioning unit ready and maintained well.
Thankfully, there are many air conditioning installation Brisbane available that are ready to contact when you need to have one yourself.
Moreover, summer days are not the only days we need to stay indoors and to enjoy the cool breeze of an air-conditioning unit. When the humidity is too high, many opt not to leave the comforts and relief an AC brings.
Heat and humidity can take place inside our homes or in the office. But with an air-conditioning unit, the refrigerant in the system will produce cold air, and at the same time, remove the heat and the humidity in that area.
Importance of AC maintenance
There’s a lot of different opinions about the contribution of an air-conditioning unit to our daily lives. But, at the end of the day, it all boils down on how we are utilizing it.
It is vital to put a lot of effort into making sure that our AC units are well-maintained. It doesn’t only help us in cooling down our rooms and the space we move in, but it also immensely affects our health.
The risk that comes with a contaminated air-conditioning unit takes a greater toll on us than conducting regular maintenance.
This is why there should be an emphasis on how important it is for all AC units to go through routine maintenance for you to avoid many health complications.
Takeaway
Air-conditioning units are a necessity for many. It significantly contributes to relieving us from heat. However, a poorly maintained AC can pose health risks.
If we do our part and ensure that it is well-maintained and regularly cleaned, we will benefit from it instead. Hence, always make sure that your air-conditioning units are in tip-top shape to experience a better life.
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