Lifestyle 101: Why your air conditioners may be killing you

The ongoing FIFA world cup in Qatar is the first ever world cup in which matches are played in enclosed and fully air-conditioned stadiums. While this may be a big flex in terms of technological advancement, the environment, and perhaps humans, suffer the consequences.

I know some of you are already asking what could be the probable environmental and health consequences of air conditions. While the environmental effects border around electricity usage and its associated effects on climate change as well as possible refrigerant leakage, the health effect depends on a host of factors.

Many people, especially those living in a tropical environment where the temperature is relatively high throughout the year spend a large portion of their lives in air-conditioned environments. From their cars to their offices, and from offices to their houses. Everywhere is fitted with air conditions. More and more people are imbibing this practice, no thanks to global warming.

There is no doubt that the usage of air conditioners offers a host of benefits and comforts. However, the technology may be a slow poison if certain cautions are not observed with its usage. Here are some of the reasons your air conditioner may be killing you without being aware.

Increased risks of sick building syndrome

The sick-building syndromes are a host of ill-health symptoms that cannot be categorized nor attributed to any specific cause except the time spent living in a particular building. While this syndrome remains an active area of research, people who live in air-conditioned houses are known to be at higher risk, especially if the house is poorly ventilated.

Increased risks of dehydration

Air conditioners work by removing moisture from the ambient air. The air in the room is passed over the air conditioner's condenser and cooled. The cooling liquifies the ambient moisture which then flows outside through a pipe from the system.

Your skin loses water to the surroundings as part of the normal body physiology. The lower the amount of water in the atmosphere, the more the evapotranspiration rate of water from the skin. Thus, air conditioners lowering the atmospheric moisture of rooms increases the dehydration risk of its occupants. If you sleep with the air conditioner on overnight with very low humidity, your sleep is likely to be punctured due to dehydration.

This is probably why many people who spend a large chunk of their time in air-conditioned spaces develop dry and itchy skin. Air conditioner-caused dehydration has also been linked with headaches, irritation, dry eyes, and the inability to focus.

Increased risks of respiratory issues

Air conditioner-caused respiratory issues are probably one of the most common issues with constant usage of the technology. On one hand, exposure to air conditioners has been reported to worsen the conditions of those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma. On another hand, dehydration can cause dryness of the throat even in healthy individuals, leading to irritation of the throat or even a condition known as pharyngitis.

The risks of also getting infections also increase when dehydration leads to the drying up of the mucous membrane. The mucous helps to get rid of pathogens that could cause infectious diseases and its drying up paves way for pathogens to enter the body.

Decreased heat tolerance

Spending a lot of time in the cold comfort of air conditioners significantly reduces an individual's tolerance for heat. This can be seen in people whose lifestyle involves staying in air-conditioned spaces as many can hardly spend a few minutes in spaces that are not cold. I have a friend that can hardly spend five minutes in my house if the fan is not at maximum speed. The rate at which he will be sweating will scare you. He is an air conditioner person.

All in all, air conditioners offer a lot of obvious benefits and some hidden harms. In other to minimize the harms that could befall you due to the usage of the technology, regular servicing by competent technicians come highly recommended. Not servicing regularly or using charlatans to service your air conditioners may lead to leaking refrigerants and the filter may accumulate microbes that are capable of causing terrible illnesses when inhaled.

What do you think?