It is difficult to imagine working in the office without air conditioners (AC) during scorching summer days. The cool and soothing air (from the air conditioning system) hitting you like a wave undoubtedly lifts your spirits. However, this same AC system could be spreading infections in the office, potentially putting your health at risk.
Experts Happiest Health spoke to provide helpful ways on how to manage and prevent infections caused by air conditioners in office environments, and how you can continue to enjoy working under the thrill of air conditioners without compromising your health.
Air conditioners and infections
Air conditioners work to keep the temperature at a stable level. To achieve this, temperature inside your office should not change according to the weather outside.
“However, airflow needs to be maintained. Thus, AC recycles the existing air inside while prohibiting the flow of outside air,” says Dr Kirti Sabnis, an internal medicine specialist at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.
This very principle of air conditioners is what makes the centralised air-conditioned spaces (including offices) vulnerable for infections. “Natural ventilation is important to stop the spread of infections. However, AC limits fresh exchange of air, leading to an increase in person-to-person transmission of viruses, bacteria or fungi from a sick person in the office,” explains Dr Sabnis.
Impact of unclean AC vents
When Shayani Roy used to work in the banking sector, she constantly sneezed and coughed along with having itchy and watery eyes. “I have dust allergy. Sitting under the office AC aggravated my allergy,” says the 34-year-old homemaker from Kolkata. She soon found the culprit to be the unclean AC vents that harboured dust and flared up her allergies. She went through the ordeal of constantly taking anti-allergy medications for about a year and finally found relief when she started working from home during the pandemic.
Cleaning and maintenance of AC ducts is important as unclean AC systems can lead to various respiratory issues over time. “It can be either due to inhalation of allergens, fungal spores leading to lung infections or aggravation of sinusitis,” says Dr Alap Christy, assistant vice president of Global Reference Laboratory, Metropolis Healthcare, Mumbai.
He also stresses the importance of having an office system which maintains the humidity of the environment, as increased humidity acts as a breeding ground for fungus in the AC ducts.
How air conditioners spread infections
There are some typical bacteria which spread through ACs, such as Legionella pneumophila, which causes atypical pneumonia (pneumonia caused by a different bacteria than the more common ones, characterised by chills, cough and shortness of breath). “This is because it requires a cooler temperature for multiplication compared to normal bacteria. So, it can stay in the AC ducts and cause infections,” mentions Dr Sabnis.
She further adds that fungal spores can also spread through AC ducts and lead to aspergillosis (a common fungal infection) in people with poor immunity or lung issues. It causes wheezing, shortness of breath and cough.
“Not maintaining proper exchange of air in ACs increases the transmission of common infections like common cold, influenza, chicken pox, measles, tuberculosis (TB) and COVID, as such crowded confined spaces lead to easier transmission,” says Dr Sabnis.
Why allergic people should be extra careful
People who are prone to experiencing severe allergic reactions or have been diagnosed with pre-existing respiratory conditions must be mindful while working in office spaces.
“The reason why people with allergies don’t get infections from ACs at home is because it is frequently cleaned and filtered,” explains Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, director of infectious diseases, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru.
He stresses that there is no regulatory system that monitors how often the air vents are cleaned in an office space which causes dust and other foreign particles to collect in those vents for a prolonged time.
Preventing infections caused by ACs
Dr Swaminathan lists some precautions that people should follow to avoid infections:
- Keeping tabs on your medical condition: People who are on medication for allergy or respiratory aspiration must ensure that they don’t disrupt the medication regimen, as it can prevent aggravation.
- Wearing masks: One should wear a mask if there is continual sneezing, coughing or wheezing. Mask is a must for those vulnerable to an asthma attack. It is also important to wear a mask if someone around you is sick.
- Working from home: If you’re suffering from a severe viral infection, it is always ideal to work from home.
- Getting vaccinated: It is important to get vaccinated in order to avoid contraction or spread. This can either be the annual flu shot or the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the situation.
- Sunlight and air are natural disinfectants: If you or your co-worker is experiencing an acute allergic reaction, ensure that they are immediately taken outside, as sunlight and fresh air can reduce the triggers. Sick building syndrome (people falling sick due to poor air quality) can also trigger allergies.
Takeaways
- Cleaning the AC vents is crucial to prevent infections caused by air conditioners in office spaces.
- People with pre-existing medical conditions (like allergies) must take extra precautions and maintain their medication regimen to avoid triggers.
- Transmission of air borne diseases (like chickenpox and COVID) in office spaces tends to spread rapidly due to improperly ventilated ACs and fungal growth due to increased humidity.
- Taking measures like wearing masks, going outside for fresh air and getting vaccinated can help to prevent infections.
