STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: With increase in the use of air conditioners at homes, workplaces and cars due to soaring temperatures, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Saturday said that poorly maintained air conditioners are potentially harmful and pose serious health risks.
President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement said that poorly maintained air conditioners are breeding grounds for deadly microbes that cause serious illnesses.
These cooling units provide safe environment for some of the dangerous bacteria like Legionella that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of Pneumonia (lung infection), he said adding that people contract this infection through contaminated air and manifest with high fever, muscle aches, cough and shortness of breath.
Between 5 and 30 per cent of people who get the disease die and people who are most likely to die are elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, he said.
Most of the cases in Kashmir go undetected because of lack of awareness and many might be dying undiagnosed as there is no testing facility, he regretted.
Air conditioning units accumulate pollens, mold spores and dust mites that worsen asthma and allergies he said adding that these pollutants can make people’s noses clog or run and they can develop breathing difficulty.
ACs pulls out moisture from the skin and leaves it dry and stretched. Also, skin becomes prone to developing creases and wrinkles which hastens ageing process. AC environment tends to dry out eyes causing irritation, itching and tearing of eyes.
Research shows that people who work in air conditioned environment experience chronic headaches and fatigue which leaves them vulnerable to contracting cold, flu and other illnesses.
