Cooling Climate, Neglected Maintenance: AC Use Can Cause Illness

As summer temperatures rise, air conditioner use becomes widespread in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. However, experts warn that incorrect usage and insufficient maintenance can trigger significant health issues, ranging from allergic reactions to severe lung infections.

Dr. Emrah Kırımlı, a board member of the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians, stated that poorly maintained air conditioners can directly cause illness. He explained that uncleaned filters can release bacteria, such as Legionella, which causes severe pneumonia, along with mold and fungal spores into the air. Dust from neglected AC units can also exacerbate allergic reactions. Furthermore, in enclosed spaces, the circulation of air from an infected individual can accelerate the spread of viruses.

Kırımlı noted that common complaints like sore throat, dry eyes, and muscle stiffness in air-conditioned environments are often attributed to dry air and allergic responses. However, he emphasized that these symptoms are frequently linked to prolonged sedentary work, poor ergonomic conditions, and excessive workloads, suggesting that working conditions themselves are often the primary cause of illness, not just the air conditioning.

Individuals with allergies and asthma should be particularly cautious, as poorly maintained AC units and dusty environments can increase airborne allergens, triggering their conditions. Kırımlı stressed the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance of air conditioning systems in workplaces, not only for technical reasons but also for worker health and safety. Regular health inspections of work environments are essential to prevent the spread of mold, fungi, and viruses through these systems.

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These symptoms are often related to prolonged sedentary work, non-ergonomic working conditions, and excessive workload. In fact, it's often our working conditions, not the air conditioner, that make us sick.