The Problem
The cleanliness of the air conditioning systems in the spaces we live and work plays a crucial role in our lives.
Air cleanliness is adversely affected by high dust loadings, poor ventilation and biological contaminants such as mold, yeast and bacteria.
Many common molds and yeasts can produce allergenic health effects as well as unpleasant odours. All mold and yeast spores should be regarded as potentially allergenic.
Repeated exposure to high concentrations of spores from a number of different allergenic mold species such as Penicillium and Aspergillus can lead to sensitization and produce both acute (short term) or chronic (long term) symptoms. Acute symptoms can include chills, fever and generally feel unwell, but recover, while chronic effects can cause degenerative changes in the respiratory tract which can lead to obstruction of the airway. Patients become breathless after exertion and cough constantly. The chronic stage may be progressive and eventually cause the serious disease of emphysema.
Mold and bacteria can cause:
- Chronic Headaches
- Runny Nose
- Sore Eyes
- Fatigue
- Respiratory disease
The World Health Organisation has recognised sick building syndrome (SBS) for nearly 20 years. Between 10 - 50% of people who work in fully air-conditioned offices experience a range of non-specific symptoms, including eye and upper respiratory irritation, which can be caused by mold and bacteria
The Need for Good Quality Air Inside Buildings and Vessels
To avoid disease and annoying symptoms it is important that there is good ventilation with fresh air. Air-conditioning filters will trap most large particulate material - skin and hair particles, smoke residue, dust etc, but without regular cleaning, filters become overloaded and ducts become breeding grounds for microbial contamination.
Hot and/or humid environments produce ideal breeding environments for mold and bacteria.
