The last twenty years has taught us much about the potential hazards of air conditioning and climate control systems that contribute to sick building syndrome. Everyone knows of the terrible consequences of Legionnaires disease and how that is almost always found to be related to the air conditioning system. Sick building syndrome is a phrase which entered our language some years ago and once again the cause can be traced back to the air conditioning or climate control systems.
There are though a lot of issues which can cause staff to feel unwell, display flu like symptoms, eye watering or even show asthmatic symptoms. Not to mention some sufferers who simply suffer headaches and feel lethargic. Sick building syndrome is evidenced by a large range of sickness and symptoms coming from air conditioning systems. See below.
All of these things result in lost working hours for the company in addition to the health issues for the employees in this litigious age.
Having your air conditioning regularly inspected, serviced and maintained is very important in preventing sick building syndrome. Mac Maintenance have maintained and repaired air conditioning and climate control systems throughout London for many years and all their engineers are certificated to carry out such work.
We will be happy to visit you anywhere in London and to discuss your present air conditioning system and needs, completely without obligation.
If you are anywhere in London call us now on 07931 597329
Some commonly effects of poorly designed or maintained air conditioning and climate control systems.
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Investgations showed us 20 years ago that in 34% of cases allergenic fungi being circulated by air conditioning systems was the cause of building sickness.
(Guardian 1988) Pollens and mites are also well known to be culprits for very many lost working days. |
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It was demonstrated by Finnigan many years ago that 10% of workers in air conditioned offices with humidifiers experianced a tightness of the chest compared to just 2% for employees in buildings with natural ventilation.
(Finnegan et al 1984).
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This is usually although not exclusively the result of breathing in water droplets from humidifiers associated with air conditioning which have become contaminated with micro organisms which settle in the bottom of a lung. This is most prevalant in industrial environments such as the print and paper industry. |
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In most cases sick building syndrome results from a range of symptoms showing up un workers. These include :-
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- sensation of dry mucous membranes and skin
- erythema
- mental fatigue
- headache
- high frequency of airway infection and cough
- hoarseness, wheezing, itching and unspecific hypersensitivity
- nausea, dizziness
In a study of 4373 people working in 46 buildings (Wilson and Hedge 1987), 80 per cent had symptoms of ill-health which they associated with being in their place of work and air conditioning. |
These are only a few possible illnesses which can be put down to poorly designed or maintained air conditioning and climate control systems in all cities and London is no exception.
We have no desire to present you with a full clinical statement relating to all the possible causes and illnesses which can be placed at the door of the ventilation systems currently in use today.
We mention just a few to try and bring home to everyone how important it is to ensure that your air conditioning or climate control system is professionally maintained.
Call us now on 07931 597329 if you are somewhere in London.
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