Air Conditioning: Rescue from the Heat or Hidden Danger?

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When the mercury exceeds 30 degrees, most of us dream of only one thing – to escape to an air-conditioned interior. A cooled car, a pleasant coolness in the apartment or office is a real relief. But be careful – this relief can cost a lot. And not only on the electricity bill.

– Too intensive cooling can lead to serious health problems – warns Dr. Marta Frejowska-Reniecka, pulmonologist at the St. Barbara Provincial Specialist Hospital in Sosnowiec.

The doctor explains that the key is to maintain common sense: the optimal temperature difference between inside and outside is a maximum of 6–8 degrees Celsius . Setting the air conditioning to 18 degrees when it is 35 outside is not a relief, but a shock to the body – especially to the respiratory system.

Air conditioning, although effective in combating the heat, also has its dark side. It dries the air, which leads to irritation of the mucous membranes, dry eye syndrome, and in allergy sufferers it can exacerbate symptoms. However, this is only the beginning of the problems.

– In the summer, we are increasingly seeing young patients with pneumonia. The source turns out to be air-conditioned rooms and cars – says Dr. Frejowska-Reniecka. One of the biggest threats is legionella – a dangerous bacteria that develops in poorly maintained cooling systems. Infection with it can end in hospitalization, even in healthy people.

Expert appeals: air conditioning yes – but wisely . What does this mean in practice? First of all:

Avoid drastic temperature differences – let’s not turn our apartment into a refrigerator;
Regularly service your installations – a neglected system is a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and mites;
Reach for alternatives – covering windows, airing in the evenings or limiting exposure to the sun can also help.

Because although it's hard to imagine summer without air conditioning, it's worth remembering that the technology that's supposed to protect us can also harm us - if we don't use it responsibly .