Is Air Conditioning Making You Sick?

Calvin: It’s freezing in here. Why can’t we crank up the thermostat?

Calvin’s Dad: Consuming less cold is better for the environment and it saves money.

Calvin: Oh!

Calvin’s Dad: And being cold builds character.

Building character nullifies all other reasons. Yay! I love the AC!

On a serious note, I’ve often wondered if being cold can actually make you get a cold? These days, air conditioning, is an essential part of our lives, like driving or texting. But we’ve also been told that constant AC is not good for the health. So is this the stuff of folklore or could Calvin’s Dad have been right?

Allow me to elaborate (because elaborating is what I do best).

Chill Defenders

First the good news.

In a strange new study by the National Institute of Health, USA, scientists found that sleeping at lower temperatures has important effects on your metabolism. In the study, five healthy men, who were given a consistent diet and slept in a chilly environment, had more “brown fat” in their bodies, which removes sugar from the blood stream and burns calories.

Over time, researchers said, this increase in brown fat could lower a person’s risk for diabetes and have important effects on their overall metabolism.

Researchers at the Cardiff University also pointed out that air conditioning is good for people suffering from asthma and allergies, as pollen and dust are filtered through the system.

OMG, did science just give us another reason (as if we needed any extra ones)!

Can the AC Kill You?

Those who prefer the outside heat to falling sick from the office frostbite have a point. I’m not going to discuss how germ infested your keyboard and cell phones are, there’s a separate post on that. Did you know that a new study found the air inside your office building can be 100 times dirtier than the air outside?

Yep.

The windows in your office don’t open, every crack is sealed so well that you could probably put the building on the ocean floor and it would still stay dry.

The result?

Buildings maintain temperature perfectly, but are horrible at recycling air. They inhale pollutants (via the air conditioning systems), but don’t let them back out – to the point that they can contain 2 to 5 times more contaminants. They also circulate bacteria and viruses. Have you noticed how one guy sneezes and the entire row falls sick? Now you know how.

And after spending 9 hours in the office AC you hop into air-conditioned cars and homes. The worst casualty – your lungs, they don’t dilate fully in a closed environment, which is why respiratory infections like the common cold, flu and an itchy throat, are the most common these days.

Also, ACs need to be extremely well-maintained, checked and filters cleaned, or else they become breeding grounds of all kinds of bacteria and mold.

They don’t call it the Sick Building Syndrome for nothing!

What Should You Do?

Working under a tree is not an option and open, well ventilated offices are a thing of the past, so here’s what you can do to make the best out of every situation:

Set the AC temperature to 25 degrees: The concept of cooling does not have to be “chilled to the bones”. 25 degrees is the optimum temperature and doesn’t ‘shock’ your bones when you walk from outside.

Invest in a humidifier at work, especially if you wear contact lenses. The dry AC air can heighten irritation in the eye. Or keep a large open mouthed water container. The moisture helps your skin stay healthy.

Go for a quick stroll after lunch for your dose of sunlight and oxygen.

Don’t use the AC through the night. Put a timer of an hour or two and try opening the windows, thereafter. It ain’t so bad. You’ll wake up more energised.

Also Read:

Why are some people always hot or cold at work? We finally put the temperature debate that’s sweeping the nation to bed.