15.07.2024 13:20
Chest Diseases Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Şebnem Yosunkaya, who says that poorly cleaned air conditioners can lead to pneumonia, stated that air conditioners regulate the temperature and humidity balance in the environment, but when exposed to the same area at close range, they can cause lung diseases and pneumonia in the lungs.
To comfortably spend hot summer days in enclosed spaces, air conditioning is widely used. Air conditioning, which is used in every environment from shopping malls to vehicles, can also cause many discomforts. Experts warn against the disease known as 'pneumonia' among the public.
Explaining that air conditioning systems adjust the air, heat, and humidity balance to provide comfort in hot weather, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Yosunkaya, a faculty member at Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chest Diseases, said, "Due to the climate crisis and extreme heat, we need more air conditioners. Air conditioners also create an air flow, circulate and clean the indoor air from particles, and prevent mold formation, which is very important. In fact, they are good and suitable devices for our patients with sensitive asthma in terms of these aspects, their use is beneficial."
"AIR CONDITIONERS THAT ARE NOT MAINTAINED CAN BE HARMFUL"
Emphasizing that air conditioners can become harmful when their filter maintenance is not performed and they contain dust and microorganisms, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Yosunkaya, a faculty member at the Department of Chest Diseases, said, "If proper cleaning is not done and if the filters are not replaced, they can become harmful by containing dust and microorganisms themselves. Instead of cleaning the environment well, they spread microorganisms in the environment. This can cause coughing and shortness of breath in our patients with sensitive airways. Also, by cooling the environment and creating a high temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments, they can affect our patients with sensitive airways due to sudden changes in air temperature. Coughing and shortness of breath can start in these patients. If they are not cleaned well, some microorganisms can form and live in the water of this air conditioner, and when they are used, these microorganisms spread around. This can cause lung diseases and pneumonia in the lungs. It can also cause pneumonia in those who use this environment in an epidemic-like manner," she said.
"CAN CAUSE MUSCLE SPASMS"
Prof. Dr. Yosunkaya stated that prolonged exposure to cold air created by air conditioning can cause muscle spasms and pain in a specific area of the body. "Prolonged exposure of that cold air to a specific area of the body can cause muscle spasms and pain in that area. Excessive dryness, that is, running air conditioners for a large part of the day in indoor environments, can cause dryness and predispose to upper respiratory tract infections. Poorly designed air conditioners also create noise pollution by making loud noises. This can disrupt people's sleep and increase their stress levels. Let's behave balanced in all matters, including air conditioners, and not overuse them. Let's pay attention to their cleanliness," she said.