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  Air-conditioning
systems are designed to control air temperature and humidity, air
exchange and to filter dust and other particles.
The simplicity of the technical solutions must be compatible with a
controlled and lasting management.
In practice, in many cases the air-conditioning system does not carry out
its functions properly and furthermore it carries or becomes a source of
noise, vibrations, microbiological polluting agents, dust and gases.
Micro-organisms may proliferate in many parts of the air-conditioning
system and may cause epidemics or isolated cases of legionnair's disease
and extrinsic allergic alveolitis by actynomycete thermophile; probably
even the so called "monday or humidifiers' fever",
characterized by glandular fever-like illness that arises on the first
working day of the week, is a hypersensitivity pneumonia caused by the
diffusion, through the rekindled system, of microorganisms that had been
proliferating during the week-end.
The most typical pathology linked to air quality is the Sick Building
Syndrome. This is characterized by eye disorders and by troubles of the
upper airways (ocular and pharyngeal dryness, nasal stenosis or
rhinorrhea, aspecific reactivity of these mucous membranes), skin
disorders (dryness, irritation), nervous disorders (drowsiness,
headache), sensorial problems (special senses disorders). Symptoms are
usually light and appear at least weekly; they improve with rest from
work. Many investigations have pointed out that this syndrome is more
frequently found in offices located in modern buildings equipped with
air-conditioning systems, rather than in traditional buildings with
natural ventilation. The pathogenesis of the disorders is not clear, even
though in the majority of cases it is necessary to exclude allergic
phenomena.
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