Effects of variation in air conditioner temperature on lung functions of air conditioner users

Abstract

Background: As a result of increasing environmental temperature, use of air conditioner(AC) has become very popular specially in the urban areas mostly during hot months of the year. Regular exposure to cold, dry air of AC can cause various alterations in lung functions of AC users which can lead to many lung diseases in future. These alterations in lung functions can be influenced by AC temperature fixation. Objective: This study aimed to observe the effect of  variation of  AC temperature on lung function in apparently healthy  adult subjects living in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Method:This cross sectional study was conducted on 48 apparently healthy adult male and female who were exposed to cold air discharged by air conditioner for at least 6 hours per day for minimum 5 days per week for the past 2 to 4 years. They were then divided into two groups based on setting temperature at which AC was regulated. Group A was consisted of 24 subjects (12 male and 12 female) who were exposed to AC temperature constantly regulated in between 18° C to 22°C. Group B consisted of 24 subjects (12 male and 12 female) who were exposed to AC temperature constantly regulated in between 23°C to 25°C. Forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV₁), and  ratio of FEV₁/FVC were estimated in all subjects to assess lung functions using Minato Autospiro AS-507.Percentage of predicted value of all parameter was used in data analysis. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test. Results: In this study mean percentage (%) of predicted value of FVC FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC were significantly lower in group A in comparison to group B. Conclusion: Regulation of AC at a lower temperature can lead to more reduction of lung function in AC users.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol 2022;17(2): 72-77