Interní Med. 2008; 10(5): 231-232

Air conditioning - health risks and prevention

MUDr. Jarmila Kohoutová

Oddělení nemocniční hygieny FN Olomouc

Due to rising temperatures caused by the climatic changes, air conditioning of interior areas is becoming in the last three decades common and often necessary part of technical infrastructure of buildings. Spending time in areas without natural ventilation is no longer limited to professions with high demand to environment purity. We move through air-conditioned areas in shops, hotels, in culture and sport facilities. Air conditioning units are common in residential houses and are part of standard or advance equipment of vehicles. Many articles from the last years indicate increase of diseases that are related to exposure to air-conditioned areas. Most important factor involved in occurrences of these diseases are microorganisms that can cause unspecific health problems as well as serious infectious diseases. Microorganisms are claimed as one of the causes of the Sick Building Syndrome. Bacteria and microscopic fungi are important allergens. Air-conditioning and ventilation units, if not maintained properly, create suitable conditions (temperature, humidity) for survival and reproduction of microorganisms. These units become a source from which the microorganisms are released into the interior environment.

Keywords: air-conditioning, microorganism, infection disease, prevention

Published: June 1, 2008  Show citation