Effect of Air Conditioner (AC) on Pulmonary Functions Of Non Smoker Healthy Adult Male

Abstract

Background: Climate change is the biggest global threats throughout the world. Increasing temperature of the environment is one of the effect of climate change. Thermal comfort can be achieved by using Air Conditioner (AC). One of the components of the modern life style is the intensive use of air conditioner. Inhalation of cold dry air for long periods makes airway smooth muscle and mucosal structure more sensitive which may cause reduction in the pulmonary functional capacities. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of air conditioner on pulmonary functions when comparing between job duration in experimental group.

Materials and methods: This quasi experimental study  was conducted in the Department of Physiology,  Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, during January 2019  to December 2019 in collaboration with Continental Group Private Limited (Abu Baqar Ciddique) Chattogram and EPV (Energypac Power Venture) Chittagong Limited, Patiya, Chattogram. 35 apparently healthy adult males between the ages 20-45 years, working in air conditioned environment were taken as case. This study was done to measure pulmonary function test parameters of healthy Air Conditioner (AC) users when comparing between job duration to see the effects of Air Conditioner (AC) on lung functions. Lung function test parameters like FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, respiratory rate and SPo 2  were   measured by digital spirometer (Chestgraph HI-101, Japan) and pulse oximeter. Unpaired  Student’s t test, Paired Student’s t test and Anova test were done by using SPSS-25 for statistical analysis.  

Results: Dynamic pulmonary function parameters were decreased to a statistically significant level as the duration of exposure increases in experimental group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in FVC, FEV , FEV 1 /FVC ratio,  respiratory rate and SPO   at the end of  2 months  in experimental group while comparing with baseline respiratory parameters (p>0.05). But after 2 months the mean value of  FVC, FEV 1 2  and SPO  were reduced and  respiratory rate was increased in AC users comparing with initial measurement. In this study mean  value  of FVC and FEV 1 2  were significantly reduced when  comparing between between 6 months to 1 year and 1 year to 5 years job duration in experimental group at the beginning of the study and  mean value of FVC and FEV  were significantly reduced when compared  between 1 year to 5 years and >5 years job duration in experimental group at the beginning of the study by Unpaired  Student’s ‘t’ test (p<0.05). FVC and FEV  were reduced  significantly when compaired  between 6 months to 1 year and 1 year  to 5 years job duration in experimental group at the beginning of the study and mean value of FVC and FEV 1  1 were significantly reduced when compared  between 6 months to 1 year and  >5 years job duration in experimental group at the beginning of the study by ANOVA test (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The present study shows working in air conditioned environment for prolong period brought significant reduction in respiratory functions in AC exposed group.  

JCMCTA 2026 ; 37 (1) : 145-151