Air Conditioning: too cool to be good for you?

Benefits:

• Extreme heat has a clear negative impact on the intellect and on physical activity and the use of air conditioning can go some way to rectifying this.
• It improves comfort levels at work and at leisure.
• It improves job performance.
• It can result in increased physical and intellectual activity.
• A lower temperature reduces the presence of insects and parasites.
• Lower temperatures mean less sweating, reducing the risk of dehydration.
• A clean air conditioning system helps exclude external allergens such as pollens.
• If the air conditioning installation is good, and if it is well maintained, it renews and improves air quality.

Risks:

• Sudden changes in temperature and humidity affect the respiratory system.
• It has a drying effect on skin and mucous membranes.
• It adds to ambient noise, contributing to noise pollution.
• The air circulation can transmit infectious respiratory diseases.
• Airborne dust and fungi can cause allergic reactions.
• Air conditioning is associated with chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, throat irritation and hoarseness.
• Air conditioning can exaccerbate eye conditions such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis, as well as causing problems for contact lens wearers.

Don't forget...

• Air conditioned spaces should be regularly ventilated.
• Professional installation and maintenance is essential for both individual units and centralised systems.
• Keep room temperature between 21º and 25º C.
• Try to maintain an average humidity of between 60% and 70%.

One final word:
Carry a light uncrushable jacket or wrap with you in the summer so if you suddenly go into a building board a bus where the air con is at full throttle you can protect your system from such extreme temperature changes.