Your car’s air conditioning could damaging your health, here's why

A NEW study has found that a number of harmful strands of bacteria, associated with meningitis, urinary tract infections and septic arthritis, in car air conditioning systems.

Car air conditioning GETTY

Your car's air conditioning unit could contain harmful bacteria that is damaging your health

As the warmer weather continues in the UK, many Brits will be turning to their air conditioning system in the car to cool them down.

Drivers are being encouraged to check their air conditioner as it could possibly be harbouring harmful bacteria.

A new study by Kwik Fit and researchers at London Metropolitan University has revealed the potentially dangerous bacteria living in the air conditioning systems of British cars.

The bacteria found is associated with meningitis, urinary tract infections and septic arthritis were among the many types found.

In the study, swabs of 15 air conditioning filters taken from different cars across the UK and subjected to the laboratory analysis.

All filters tested had microorganism detected, with the most common of which being Bacillus Licheniformis.

Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus were the second most common microorganisms found. 

Bacillus subtilis are normally found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and some mammals and Bacillus has links with a wide range of infections including meningitis, abscesses and septicaemia.

Kwik Fit advises that systems which have not been cleaned regularly may not only cause bad smells, they may be harbouring something more serious.

Dr Paul Matewele, senior lecturer, London Metropolitan University commented: “We discovered a variety of microorganisms in the air conditioning filters. 

“Some of the bacteria found has links to animals, the gastrointestinal tract of humans and some very nasty infections which could cause a lot of harm to individuals, especially those with a compromised immune system.

“The study highlights that air conditioning systems are suitable breeding grounds for bacteria and therefore underlines the importance of cleaning and replacing filters. I’m sure if car owners knew what they were blowing out of their air conditioning vents they would think twice before switching them on this summer.”

Of the cars tested, on average the test found 1.6 different strains of microorganisms within the filters, however, vehicles in Plymouth topped the table and came in above average with 2.3 varieties found per vehicle.

Dundee closely followed Plymouth with each filter having on average two strains of microorganism found.

Coming in just under the overall average figure and at the bottom of the table was Cardiff, with an average of one type of microorganism found per filter tested.

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Roger Griggs, communications director, Kwik Fit commented: “The research shows some harmful bacteria found in the air conditioning systems which is being circulated around driver’s vehicles.

“Many of us leave our air conditioning off throughout the winter months and turn back on when the weather warms up without considering the cleanliness of the air conditioning filters.

“Over time bacteria, mould and fungi can build up on a vehicles’ air conditioning unit which can either be odourless or create a bad odour when switched on.

“If motorists leave the bacteria in place it can cause sickness and respiratory problems as it gets blown into the cabin of the vehicle and inhaled by passengers.

“We recommend that all motorists have their air conditioning debugged at least once every two years to decontaminate the system and kill the bacteria within.”

Air conGETTY

Drivers are being urged to have the systems cleaned

Microorganism - Associations with microorganism

Bacillus Licheniformis - Bird feathers, soil and infections associated with central venous catheters

Bacillus Subtilis - Gastrointestinal tract of humans and some mammals, generally non-pathogenic but has caused septicaemia in a patient with leukaemia

Bacillus - Common environmental bacteria which has links with a wide range of infections including meningitis, abscesses and septicaemia

Pasteurella Pneumotropica - Found in animals but may infect humans because of an animal bite or scratch

Bacillus Pumilus - Generally non-pathogenic but has caused skin infections

Brevundimonas Vesicularis - A major problem for immune-compromised individuals. Has caused bacteraemia, cutaneous infections, meningitis, peritonitis and septic arthritis

Enterococcus Faecium - Gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, but can also be pathogenic and linked with diseases such as meningitis, endocarditis and VRE

Aerococcus Viridans - Urinary tract infections, bacteremia, septic arthritis, and infectious endocarditis

Empedobacter brevis - Rarely causes disease but has been implicated in immune-compromised individuals

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica -Common environmental bacteria usually present on fish and frogs. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause meningitis in immunocompromised people

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