Pulmonary functions in air conditioner users

Abstract

Context: In the modern lifestyle, use of air conditioner (AC) has become very common. Aims: The present study was planned to assess the effect of ACs on pulmonary functions in young healthy non-smoker adults. Settings and Design: This study was a cross-sectional observational study. Sixty-six young adults (40 males and 26 females) using ACs were compared with 70 non-AC users (young adults, 40 males and 30 females). Materials and Methods: Pulmonary function test was done using medical international research (MIR) Spirolab II during home visits. Statistical Analysis Used: GraphPad Prism 5 software was used for analysis. Unpaired t test was used for lung function parameter. Chi- square test was used for the comparison of respiratory symptoms. Results: The results showed significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.05), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (P < 0.05), FEV1 as percentage of FVC in % [FEV1 (%)] (P < 0.05), peak expiratory flow rate in L/s (PEFR) (P < 0.05), forced expiratory flow rate in L/s in 25% of FVC (FEF25%) (P < 0.05), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (P < 0.01). Frequency of respiratory symptoms was higher in AC users. Conclusions: The results are suggestive of predisposition of AC users toward respiratory disorders in the form of mild airflow obstruction.