Hot weather has made air conditioning a necessity for many Australians. However, researchers from the Australian National University say that coping with hot days by turning on the air conditioning can have a negative impact on health. Those living in urban areas are most vulnerable to the effects.
Researchers have found that using air conditioning too much can make people more susceptible to heat stress.
By keeping themselves in air-conditioned spaces for at least 10 to 20 hours a day, people are preventing their bodies from physiologically adapting to hot weather, says Simon Quilty, a temperature researcher at the Australian National University.
Research from the Australian National University has found that Australia’s indigenous population is better able to adapt to hot weather, while immigrants to the continent, who are of mixed ethnicity, tend to rely on air conditioning and are at higher risk of dying during heatwaves.
"For example, on the same day that it's 45 degrees Celsius in some parts of Australia, people are more likely to die today than they would have been on the same day 20 or 30 years ago. If you're not indigenous, you're even more vulnerable," said Simon Quilty.
Therefore, with climate change increasing, instead of setting the air conditioner at 21 degrees Celsius, people should set it at 25 or 26 degrees Celsius. Using traditional cooling methods such as electric fans may be better for health and the green planet, researchers recommend.
MH (t/h according to VTV, HTV)
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