Can Air Conditioning Harm Your Health?
LIFESTYLE
9/22/2025
A1–A2 Level
Vocabulary
maintain – to keep something in good condition. I maintain my bike by cleaning it often.
spread – to move or reach more people or places. The cold spread through the school.
infectious – easy to pass from person to person. The flu is very infectious.
microbe – a tiny living thing that can cause sickness. Some microbes make people ill.
syndrome – a group of health problems that happen together. She has a syndrome that makes her very tired.
Text
Air conditioners keep rooms cool, but can they make you sick? The answer is yes — sometimes.
Cold air itself does not make people sick. But if the machine is dirty or not well maintained, it can spread dust or even infectious microbes. This can lead to something called “sick building syndrome.” People in these buildings may get headaches, sore throats, or runny noses.
Air conditioners can also dry out your nose and throat, which makes it easier to get sick. Still, clean machines are not dangerous. In fact, they can stop germs from spreading if filters are cleaned often.
Experts say you should clean the filter every month and the inside of the machine twice a year. This is good for your health — and it saves electricity.
Comprehension Questions
What is sick building syndrome?
Why can a dirty air conditioner make people sick?
How often should you clean the air conditioner’s filter?
Personal Questions (15)
Do you have an air conditioner at home?
Do you use it every day?
Have you ever felt sick after using AC?
Do you like sleeping in a cold room?
Do you clean your AC often?
Who in your family usually maintains the AC?
Do you prefer a fan or AC?
Do you argue about the AC temperature at home?
Do you get sick often in summer?
Do you get sick often in winter?
Do you like cold air in restaurants or shops?
Would you rather live in a hot or cold country?
Do you think AC is a luxury or a need?
Do you drink more water when using AC?
Would you like to live without air conditioning?
Answers
A set of symptoms (like headaches and runny nose) from being in air-conditioned buildings.
It can spread microbes and dust.
Once a month.
B1–B2 Level
Vocabulary
maintain – to keep something working properly. The mechanic maintains our car every year.
spread – to extend or pass something on. Viruses spread quickly in crowded places.
infectious – capable of passing illness. Chickenpox is highly infectious.
microbe – a microscopic organism that may cause disease. Harmful microbes live in dirty water.
syndrome – a collection of related symptoms. Burnout syndrome affects many workers.
respiratory – related to breathing or the lungs. She has a respiratory infection.
Text
Many people believe air conditioners make them sick when they wake up with a sore throat or stuffy nose. But experts explain that cold air itself isn’t the culprit.
The problem often lies in air conditioners that aren’t properly maintained. A dirty filter can spread dust, chemicals, or even infectious microbes into the air. Over time, this can lead to what’s known as sick building syndrome — a condition marked by headaches, fatigue, and trouble concentrating among people in air-conditioned spaces.
Low humidity from AC use can also dry out the nose and throat, making the body more vulnerable to infections. On the other hand, a clean air conditioner can improve health by removing harmful particles and stopping germs from circulating.
Specialists recommend cleaning the filter monthly and giving the system a deep clean twice a year. Besides improving health, regular cleaning lowers electricity use, saving both energy and money.
Comprehension Questions
What are common symptoms of sick building syndrome?
How does low humidity from AC affect the body?
What are two benefits of cleaning your air conditioner regularly?
Personal Questions (15)
Do you think AC use affects your health?
Have you experienced headaches or sore throats after using AC?
Is AC common in homes in your country?
Would you rather work in a hot office or a cold office?
How important is clean air for your health?
Do you know someone who has respiratory problems?
Do you notice a difference in air quality between AC rooms and natural airflow?
Do you trust companies to maintain AC in offices?
Have you ever had sick building syndrome symptoms?
Do you think AC makes people lazy about fresh air?
Would you pay extra to have a cleaner AC system?
What’s your ideal room temperature?
Do you prefer windows open or AC on in summer?
How can schools and offices keep AC safe?
Do you think climate change will make AC more necessary?
Answers
Headaches, runny nose, or difficulty focusing.
It dries out the nose and throat, making sickness more likely.
Better health and lower electricity costs.
C1–C2 Level
Vocabulary
maintain – to preserve or uphold a condition. Leaders must maintain public trust to remain effective.
spread – to circulate or transmit widely. The rumor spread quickly across social media.
infectious – able to transmit illness easily. Tuberculosis remains one of the most infectious diseases.
microbe – a microscopic organism, sometimes pathogenic. Some microbes are essential, while others cause harm.
syndrome – a recognized pattern of medical symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome affects quality of life.
respiratory – pertaining to breathing and lung function. Respiratory health declines with prolonged pollution exposure.
Text
The idea that air conditioning directly “makes people sick” is a misconception. Temperature alone doesn’t cause illness. Instead, the issue arises when units are poorly maintained. Dirty or malfunctioning systems can spread dust, volatile chemicals, and infectious microbes through indoor spaces, producing what’s often termed sick building syndrome.
Symptoms range from respiratory irritation and sore throats to headaches, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Research consistently shows that employees in heavily air-conditioned offices are more likely to report such issues compared with those in naturally ventilated spaces.
Low humidity further complicates matters. Dry air irritates the respiratory tract, weakening the body’s natural defenses against infection. Yet, paradoxically, well-maintained air conditioning can reduce risks by filtering contaminants and limiting the circulation of airborne pathogens.
Experts emphasize that regular upkeep is essential. Filters should be replaced monthly, and thorough internal cleaning performed at least twice a year. Beyond safeguarding health, maintenance improves efficiency, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Thus, the relationship between air conditioning and illness depends less on the technology itself and more on how responsibly it is managed.
Comprehension Questions
Why is cold air alone not responsible for illness linked to AC?
What evidence supports the link between AC and sick building syndrome?
How does proper maintenance balance health concerns and energy efficiency?
Personal Questions (15)
Do you think AC overuse has created new health issues in modern society?
Should governments regulate AC maintenance in public spaces?
How does indoor air quality affect productivity at work?
Would you sacrifice comfort for cleaner, healthier air?
In your experience, how common is sick building syndrome?
How might AC design evolve to minimize health risks?
Should companies provide health checks for workers in AC-heavy offices?
Do you think public awareness of microbes has grown since COVID-19?
How does humidity affect your comfort and breathing?
Would you invest in advanced filtration systems at home?
Is dependence on AC sustainable in a warming climate?
How does energy efficiency relate to public health in AC use?
Should workers have a say in office AC settings?
Could future “smart ACs” automatically prevent health risks?
How would cities without AC cope with extreme heat?
Answers
Because illness comes from microbes, chemicals, or dry air — not cold temperature itself.
Studies show workers in AC buildings report more symptoms than those in naturally ventilated spaces.
By cleaning systems regularly, which protects health and lowers electricity costs.
