Introduction – Is Air Conditioning Healthy?
People who live in hot and humid climates may not realize how much their indoor air quality affects their overall health. That’s because so many people around the world now depend on air conditioning to keep them comfortable year-round. It’s no wonder that the global market for air conditioners is projected to increase by almost half a billion dollars by 2021.
But while air conditioning has numerous benefits, it also has some hidden dangers. Many people assume that keeping an indoor environment at cool temperatures and humidity levels is hygienic and healthy for their bodies. However, there are negative side effects of using an artificial indoor climate to get through the summer heat.
Read on to discover why you should think twice before turning on your air conditioner—especially if you have chronic asthma or other respiratory conditions—and what you can do instead to stay cool and healthy during this intense heatwave without compromising your indoor air quality.
What’s the Problem with Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning has a dark side. It’s understandable that cooling down your indoor environment is important during the sweltering summer months. But many people assume that keeping an indoor environment at cool temperatures and humidity levels is hygienic and healthy for their bodies.
In reality, the indoor air quality from air conditioning can be poor—and even dangerous. The primary problem with air conditioning is that it filters out particles that are too small to be seen. This is great for removing allergens and other irritants from the air. However, these filters are not perfect.
They allow ultrafine particles that are smaller than 0.3 microns to pass through and into your indoor air. They’re the same type of particulate matter that is emitted from vehicles, power plants, and other industrial operations.
Dust and Dirt
People who are sensitive to dust and dirt in the air often choose to keep their windows open during the warmer months. You may think that keeping the doors and windows open would make indoor air quality worse, but it’s actually the opposite.
Open windows allow outdoor air to flow inside. This outdoor air contains fewer indoor pollutants than indoor air. What’s more, outdoor air contains fewer indoor allergens than indoor air. When the windows are closed, indoor air flows back in. This indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
Air conditioning filters can trap house dust and other small particles in the air, reducing their health impact. But the filters can’t trap all the contaminants in indoor air. For example, mold spores and bacteria can pass through the filter and remain in the indoor air.
Ultrafine Particles
Air conditioning can also emit ultrafine particles from its own internal parts, such as the compressor and electrical wiring. These particles are so small and light that they can be inhaled and penetrate deep into your lungs. Since they are so tiny, they can pass through the filters in your air conditioner and end up in the indoor air.
These particles are similar to those emitted by cars, electrical appliances, and other industrial operations. Air conditioners also emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the indoor environment and make it feel hotter.
Carpet Staining and Fabric Deterioration
Carpet stains are caused by a variety of indoor contaminants, including pollen, dust, and indoor air pollutants. Air conditioners can increase carpet staining by increasing indoor air pollutants. Air conditioners can also cause fabric deterioration.
Many fabrics can be damaged by high humidity levels. High levels of indoor humidity can also encourage the growth of mold and bacteria, which can be harmful to people with allergies or other respiratory conditions. Air conditioners can reduce indoor humidity, which can lead to increased fabric deterioration.
In addition, the cold air that is produced by some air conditioners can make fabrics feel stiff and uncomfortable.
Ozone Exposure
Some air conditioners produce ozone, a pollutant that can irritate the lungs and damage indoor plants. Some air conditioners have an ozone-filtering system. If your air conditioner doesn’t, you can purchase an ozone-filtering device to attach to your air conditioner.
While ozone is a natural part of the air we breathe, it is also a pollutant produced by air conditioners. In many cases, air conditioners are designed to emit very small amounts of ozone. Unfortunately, indoor levels of ozone can be high enough to be unhealthy for humans. Ozone levels are usually highest during the hottest part of the day.
Conclusion
Air conditioning can be a great way to cool down during the summer months. However, it’s important to understand the risks of poor indoor air quality that come with this artificial cooling method. Luckily, there are several ways to maintain a comfortable indoor environment without compromising air quality.
These include keeping indoor humidity levels at a healthy level, using green or energy-efficient air conditioning units, and using indoor plants to remove indoor pollutants. Now is the perfect time to learn more about your air conditioner and how it can help you stay cool and healthy this summer.
