Air Conditioners Can Cause Health Issues During the Hot Summer Months

The building consulting experts at EC2 provide testing solutions for allergens, mold and other indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminants.

According to weather statistics the temperature in Chicago and across Illinois typically peaks in mid-July. Thanks to the marvel of modern air conditioning, and due to the hot temperatures and high humidity, people find themselves spending even more time in indoor environments to escape the summer heat.

Even Ancient Romans utilized air condition during hot weather by circulating aqueduct water in the walls of some buildings. Today’s air conditioners provide relief for millions of people and are an essential part of the modern comforts most people expect in their homes and places of business.

Air conditioning has no doubt made our lives more comfortable, but they have also introduced unwanted health problems for many. Air conditioners typically remove moisture from the air, expelling dry air into buildings. This dry air can cause people to have anything from irritated throats and nasal passages to itchy skin. Air conditioners that are not properly maintained can also become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. These microbial contaminants can grow on cooling cools or drain pans that are not visible to the building occupants, but are being blown out through the air vents for all to breathe.

EC2, Inc. (ec2), a leading provider of environmental and building science consulting services, has conducted over 4,000 IAQ investigations across Chicago and the Midwest. “At ec2 we often see a spike in calls about indoor air quality complaints during the hot summer months,” reported Ed Chambers, President of ec2. “These calls often result from improperly maintained HVAC systems and due to other mold contamination issues that come to light when the buildings are sealed up to allow the air conditioning units to do their job. This can result in increasing concentrations of indoor contaminants and health complaints.”

To learn more about protecting indoor environments from all types of allergens and IAQ problems follow ec2 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EnvProfessional. To learn more about ec2 please visit www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 corporations.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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