Many modern offices rely on air conditioning units to regulate temperature. But for some people, this modern convenience can cause a range of health problems from asthma attacks to persistent coughs and sniffles. This is because air-conditioning units can spread airborne bacteria and fungi which are a major cause of respiratory illnesses.
In a study of 770 office staff, researchers found that those who worked in offices with air-conditioning were over twice as likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses than those who worked in offices without air conditioning. Not only is this unpleasant for staff but it’s also bad news for business. Respiratory illnesses were shown to be responsible for 17 per cent of sick days taken by staff who work in air-conditioned offices whilst the figure is just 9 per cent for those working without air-conditioning.
And it’s not just germs and mould that can be a problem. Arguments about air-conditioning are common in shared offices where large numbers of people often have to work together. It’s easy to feel uncomfortable at work if you are either too hot or too cold and if the problem is caused by your colleagues adjusting the temperature, it can lead to stress and strained relationships too. If possible, try to find a temperature that everyone can agree on and stick to this – rather than constantly turning the air-con up and down throughout the day.
If people in your office are regularly feeling under the weather, it’s probably worth getting the air-conditioning checked out by a professional servicing company. And of course, air-conditioning units should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, even if no problems seem apparent.
For more information about staying healthy at work, visit: www.hse.gov.uk
