Top News

Increasing use of AC and health concerns

New Delhi. In the present times, air conditioner (AC) has become an important means of getting relief from heat and sun. Be it home or office, people spend hours in the cold air of AC. However, health experts have warned that excessive use of AC can prove to be a ‘slow poison’ for our health.

Experts say that staying in an air-conditioned environment for a long time can cause many health problems. AC absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause dehydration in the body, increasing the risk of dehydration. In this condition, not drinking enough water can lead to headache, fatigue and feeling lethargic. Apart from this, cold air can cause stiffness in the joints and muscles, which can increase the problems of joint pain, back pain and cervical pain.

The cold air of AC dries out the mucus membranes of the nose and throat, which can increase cough, nasal congestion and sinus problems. Due to dirty filters, bacteria and fungus can enter the air and worsen the condition of asthma patients. AC can reduce the humidity of the environment by 30 percent, which causes dryness in the skin and eyes, and the skin starts cracking. Apart from this, there may also be problems of eye irritation and dry eye syndrome.

Extremely cold temperatures can slow down the body’s metabolic rate, increasing the risk of weight gain. Suddenly entering a cold room from the heat outside can cause temperature shock, which affects the body’s defense system and can cause fever or cold.

What is sick building syndrome?

According to experts, in offices that do not have proper ventilation, employees working in AC for long periods experience headaches, dizziness and lack of concentration. This is called ‘sick building syndrome’. Keeping this problem in mind, doctors have advised that the temperature of the AC be kept between 24°C to 26°C and the filter of the AC should be cleaned regularly. Apart from this, one should drink water regularly even if one does not feel thirsty and turn off the AC from time to time and open the windows so that fresh air can circulate.