Motorists maintain vehicle air conditioning systems to avoid contracting Legionnaire’s disease
Seventy-three per cent of motorists think their air conditioning systems require extra TLC, as they try to avoid many of the health issues, including Legionnaire’s disease, that a poorly maintained air conditioning system can cause.
The remarkable figure comes courtesy of a recent customer poll by the Good Garage Scheme, which asked 3,336 motorists what parts of their cars they think require special TLC after the cold winter months. Unused air conditioner came out on top as the motoring nation’s biggest concern; 62% more saying that they are worried about their cooling system rather than their engine. Tyres (6%), windscreen wipers (5%) and brakes (4%) also made the final list.
Poorly maintained air conditioning systems can amass harmful mould and bacteria through periods of disuse that has been linked by medical professionals to ill health, symptoms of influenza and even Legionnaire’s disease – a potential killer!
Legionella bacteria are widespread in nature, mainly found in air conditioning and cooling systems which spread droplets of water over a wide area. Circulating water droplets in air-conditioning and cooling systems, cooling towers and evaporative condensers have been proven to cause such side effects as a high temperature, cough, muscle pains, headaches and in more extreme cases, pneumonia, diarrhoea and mental confusion.
A Hannover Medical School team recently monitored air quality in three cars between five and 10 years old that had been fitted with air conditioning. It revealed the microbiological quality of air showed "an enormous improvement," ranging from 80.5 to 88.7 percent, when the air conditioners were on. But researchers stressed the study was carried out on cars whose air conditioners had been properly maintained and whose air filters had been changed regularly. Systems that are not maintained run the risk of hiding harmful bacteria that really could affect a motorist’s health. A simple, quick deodorise and sterilise of your air conditioning at your local Good Garage Scheme member garage however, can help eliminate the health risks associated with poorly maintained systems.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, television GP and blogger at Patient.co.uk, said: ‘We all value our health, but in our busy lives it’s all too easy to forget that overlooking simple maintenance tasks can put our health at serious risk. Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially fatal lung condition which can be spread through air conditioning systems, whose warm water provide an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that cause it. These days, most cars are equipped with air conditioning systems – and they need proper maintenance to keep them safe. Look online at Patient.co.uk to find out more about Legionnaire’s disease and how you can avoid it.”
Anndi Sheppard, Marketing Manager for the Good Garage Scheme added: “The results of our latest poll show that a significant number of motorists are concerned about their air conditioning systems. Fortunately, there are thousands of Good Garage Scheme members able to offer a Spring Check and offer peace of mind going into the warmer months.”
- To find a garage offering a Spring Check, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode or town name.
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Editor’s note:-
About The Good Garage Scheme:
The Good Garage Scheme was set up as a self-regulatory body for independent workshops and MOT centres throughout the UK to ensure its members maintain the best industry standards. The scheme has thousands of members who adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and offer an Industry Standard Service.
Good Garage Scheme members:
- Adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and pledge to have their customers’ best interests at heart
- Must agree what work needs doing with their customers before it is carried out
- Work to an Industry Standard Service checklist
- Must supply each customer with a feedback card allowing them to give their views on service directly to the Good Garage Scheme, which operates a stringent complaints procedure
- Are subject to mystery shoppers and regular audits
About Patient.co.uk:
Patient.co.uk is one of the top UK health websites which provides a comprehensive clinician-authored and validated resource for patients looking for information about diseases, treatments, healthy living, support groups and services. The site is fronted by practising GP and television doctor, Dr Sarah Jarvis, and contains over 1600 medically-authored patient information leaflets, such as this one on Legionnaire’s Disease: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Legionnaires'-Disease.htm
For further information, please contact:
Anndi Sheppard, Good Garage Scheme, on tel: 024 7647 2649, email: marketing@goodgaragescheme.co.uk
OR
Gary Lillistone, Bridge PR & Media Services, on tel: 024 7652 0025, email: garyl@bridgepr.co.uk
Anndi Sheppard, Good Garage Scheme, on tel: 024 7647 2649, email: marketing@goodgaragescheme.co.uk
Gary Lillistone, Bridge PR & Media Services on 024 76 520025, or e-mail garyl@bridgepr.co.uk
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