Winter Office Air Conditioning May Pose Health Risks

Imagine your office building is like a big house.

In winter, to keep it warm and save energy, the heating system might close the windows and just keep blowing the same air around.

This is like staying in your room all day without opening a window.

Sometimes, this recycled air can get stale and have more tiny particles, like dust or germs, because fresh air isn't coming in much.

The heating can also make the air very dry.

This dry, stale, and polluted air can make your eyes feel scratchy, your throat sore, and you might feel more tired or get sick more easily.

If the building's air system isn't cleaned well, it can trap even more of these things.

To help, buildings should make sure some fresh air comes in, and workers can drink more water and talk to the managers if they feel unwell.

Cleaning the air system and checking its filters are important to make sure the air you breathe inside is healthy.