Latest news with #IndoorEnvironment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Can air conditioning really make you sick? A microbiologist explains
Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days. But some people avoid using air conditioning (AC) no matter how hot it gets outside, out of fear that it will make them sick. While this may sound far-fetched to some, as a microbiologist I can say this fear isn't altogether unfounded. If an air conditioning system malfunctions or isn't properly maintained, it can become contaminated with infectious microbes. This can turn your AC unit into a potential source of numerous airborne infections – ranging from the common cold to pneumonia. Sick buildings 'Sick building syndrome' is the general name for symptoms that can develop after spending extended periods of time in air-conditioned environments. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, congested or runny nose, persistent cough or wheeze, skin irritation or rashes, trouble focusing on work and tiredness. The condition tends to occur in people who work in office settings, but can happen to anyone who spends extended periods of time in air-conditioned buildings such as hospitals. The symptoms of sick building syndrome tend to get worse the longer you're in a particular building, and are alleviated after you leave. A 2023 study from India compared 200 healthy adults who worked at least six-to-eight hours per day in an air-conditioned office with 200 healthy adults who didn't work in AC. The AC group experienced more symptoms consistent with sick building syndrome over the two-year study period – particularly a higher prevalence of allergies. Importantly, clinical tests showed those who were exposed to AC had poorer lung function and were absent from work more often, compared with the non-AC group. Other studies have confirmed that AC office workers have a higher prevalence of sick building syndrome than those who do not work in an air-conditioned environment. It's suspected that one cause of sick building syndrome is malfunctioning air conditioners. When an AC unit isn't working properly, it can release allergens, chemicals and airborne microorganisms into the air that it would normally have trapped. Malfunctioning air conditioners can also release chemical vapours from AC cleaning products or refrigerants into the building's air. Chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde and toluene are toxic and can irritate the respiratory system. Poorly maintained air conditioning systems can also harbour bacterial pathogens which can cause serious infections. Legionella pneumophila is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease – a lung infection contracted from inhaling droplets of water containing these bacteria. They tend to grow in water-rich environments such as hot tubs or air conditioning systems. A Legionella infection is most often caught in communal places such as hotels, hospitals or offices, where the bacteria have contaminated the water supply. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to pneumonia, causing coughing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fever and general flu-like symptoms. Symptoms usually begin to show between two and 14 days after being exposed to Legionella. Legionella infections can be life-threatening and often require hospitalisation. Recovery can take several weeks. Fungal and viral infections The accumulation of dust and moisture inside air conditioning systems can also create the right conditions for other infectious microbes to grow. For instance, research on hospital AC systems has found that fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Rhizopusspecies commonly accumulate within the water-rich areas of hospital ventilation systems. These fungal infections can be serious in vulnerable patients such as those who are immunocompromised, have had an organ transplant or are on dialysis – as well as babies who were born premature. For example, Aspergillus causes pneumonia, abscesses of the lungs, brain, liver, spleen, kidneys and skin, and can also infect burns and wounds. Symptoms of fungal infections are mostly respiratory and include persistent wheeze or cough, fever, shortness of breath, tiredness and unexplained loss of weight. Viral infections can also be caught from air conditioning. One case study revealed that children in a Chinese kindergarten class were infected with the norovirus pathogen from their AC system. This caused 20 students to experience the stomach flu. While norovirus is usually transmitted through close contact with an infected person or after touching a contaminated surface, in this instance it was confirmed, unusually, that the virus was spread through the air – originating from the air conditioning unit in a class restroom. Several other cases of norovirus being spread this way have been reported. However, air conditioners can also help stop the spread of airborne viruses. Research shows AC units that are regularly maintained and sanitised can reduce circulating levels of common viruses, including COVID. Another reason AC may increase your risk of catching an infection is due to the way air conditioners control humidity levels. This makes inside air drier than outside air. Spending extended periods of time in low-humidity environments can dry out the mucus membranes in your nose and throat. This can affect how well they prevent bacteria and fungi from getting in your body – and can leave you more vulnerable to developing a deep-tissue infection of the sinuses. Air conditioners are designed to filter air contaminants, fungal spores, bacteria and viruses, preventing them from entering the air we breathe indoors. But this protective shield can be compromised if a system's filter is old or dirty, or if the system isn't cleaned. Ensuring good AC maintenance is essential in preventing air-conditioner-acquired infections. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Primrose Freestone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Hyundai Card Becomes First in Asia to Achieve UL Solutions Healthy Building Verifications for Cultural and Leisure Facilities
NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 1, 2025-- UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced that four properties operated by Hyundai Card, a leading South Korean credit card company and a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, have become the first cultural and leisure buildings in Asia to receive UL Verified Healthy Building Marks, demonstrating a commitment to creating healthier and more sustainable indoor environments for employees and guests. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: UL Solutions and Hyundai Card leadership pictured here left to right: Yun Chung, Korea Regional Managing Director of UL Solutions; Sean McCrady Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Sustainability, UL Solutions; Byeongku Jeon, President, Head of Corporate Management Unit of Hyundai Card; and Myungho Kim, Senior Manager, Head of Corporate Culture, Hyundai Card. The unique Hyundai Card structures, all located in Seoul, that received Healthy Building verifications from UL Solutions include the Cooking Library, which contains thousands of cookbooks, multiple restaurants and spaces for cooking classes; the Music Library, home to a vast collection of music and publications, a concert venue and music studio; Vinyl & Plastic, containing over 10,000 vinyl records from around the world; and Iron & Wood, a high-tech training facility for golf enthusiasts. 'Operating cultural and leisure facilities inside healthy buildings that prioritize the well-being of both visitors and staff helps foster a positive atmosphere while enhancing learning and enjoyment,' said Sean McCrady, vice president and general manager of the Enterprise Sustainability group at UL Solutions. 'Hyundai Card's achievement as the first in Asia to earn UL Verified Healthy Building Marks for its cultural and leisure properties demonstrates a clear commitment to the health and comfort of guests and employees. We at UL Solutions value their trust in our work to help them realize this important milestone.' UL Solutions developed the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark to meet the growing demand for healthier indoor spaces. The program helps communicate a positive message, differentiating indoor spaces with verified occupant health and well-being marketing claims. By addressing the unique challenges of indoor environments, the verification program promotes continual improvement and provides visibility into potential challenges, allowing early mitigation through practical solutions. For Hyundai Card facilities to earn a UL Verified Healthy Building Mark, UL Solutions assessed them against rigorous evaluation, testing and analysis methodologies by industry-recognized, third-party organizations, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Health Organization (WHO) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Both the Music Library and Vinyl & Plastic received the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air and Water, which verifies the buildings for indoor air quality (IAQ) and water quality. To earn this achievement, the two buildings underwent an evaluation of their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and were also assessed for waterborne pathogens and contaminants to help verify water quality. The Cooking Library and Iron & Wood both achieved the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Environment. The most holistic look at a building's indoor environment within the UL Solutions Verified Healthy Building program, the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Environment conveys these buildings have achieved performance in five critical areas of assessment, including air, water, hygiene, light and acoustics. 'The UL Healthy Building Verifications at four of our iconic Hyundai Card facilities underscore our commitment to health and safety and help build confidence and trust among our employees and our guests who visit these buildings for world-class music, food and leisure experiences,' said a Hyundai Card representative. 'We are excited to have worked with UL Solutions to help us demonstrate how we have actively addressed potential indoor environment risks to help improve overall health.' As part of this proactive effort, UL Solutions also conducted evaluations in three office buildings at Hyundai Card's headquarters in Seoul and confirmed the indoor air quality of these spaces for employees. Learn more about the UL Solutions Services for Healthy Buildings. About UL Solutions A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, software products, and advisory offerings that support our customers' product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers' products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage. View source version on CONTACT: Media: Tyler Khan UL Solutions [email protected] T: +1 (847) 664.2139Steven Brewster UL Solutions [email protected] T: +1 (847) 664.8425 KEYWORD: ILLINOIS SOUTH KOREA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGY FINANCE BANKING GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GENERAL HEALTH ENVIRONMENT GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE PAYMENTS AUTOMOTIVE ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH SOURCE: UL Solutions Inc Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/01/2025 07:00 PM/DISC: 06/01/2025 06:58 PM
