Respiratory Allergies Related to Automobile Air Conditioners

RESIDENTIAL air-conditioning systems may ameliorate the symptoms of both allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.1 , 2 The beneficial effect is attributed to the reduction of indoor pollen and spore counts.1 2 3 However, the contamination of home and office air conditioners with species of thermophilic actinomycetes may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis.4 , 5 Other illnesses, such as legionnaires' disease, invasive aspergillosis, and systemic acinetobacter infections, have also been traced to the contamination of air conditioners and humidifier systems.6 7 8 In automobiles, the air-conditioning system modulates the temperature and humidity, removes particles of dust and pollen, and keeps out exhaust fumes by recirculating the air inside the car.9 In . . .