Harmful Effects of Old Electrical Appliances on Our Health

We are completely dependent on electronics for our day-to-day work. These electronics have made our life very easy. All the comfort that we experience is because of these electrical appliances. The cold air of an air conditioner can save us from the scorching heat in the summer, the use of a furnace keeps us warm in the freezing winters, and a water heater has made hot water accessible for us; there are many more electronic devices that are making our homes cozy and relaxing.

Sometimes when our electrical devices are running fine we think that it is safe to keep on using them for a very long time but it is not so true. We need to regularly upgrade our electronics because prolonged use of the old appliances can cause you health problems. Let’s understand the harmful effects of old electrical appliances on our health:

Air conditioner – 

An old air conditioner uses a former technology and ancient electrical components that now cease to exist. An old air conditioner can increase the risk of allergies and asthma. Poor ventilation and dirty filters can leave your family sneezing and coughing. Few older units can develop the problem of mold which can again be the causative agent of respiratory problems. Air conditioners which work on new technologies are capable of filtering the pollens and dust which act as allergens. Other than the health effects, the old air conditioner can have worn-out wiring which can cause fire and short circuits. Installation of the new unit will also decrease the energy consumption and hence will reduce the electricity bill.

Furnace – 

While furnaces provide us with the warmth and comfort needed in the winters, old units can cause health issues. The biggest danger associated with the old furnace is carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a colorless and odorless gas which if inhaled in a less amount can cause nausea and dizziness but if inhaled in large quantity can prove to be fatal. Another bad effect of the old furnace is that the unit has old wirings which tend to cause short circuits and fire. With the old gas furnace, the leakage of gas is another hazard. It can again cause carbon monoxide poisoning and furnace explosion. If you are feeling sick when your furnace is working try getting your furnace checked by an efficient electrician. Only he can give you the desirable suggestions.

Refrigerator – 

The main function of a fridge is to keep your food fresh by preventing the growth of bacteria on the food items. When your fridge gets too old it loses its efficiency of keeping your food safe from harmful bacteria. When not cleaned and maintained, psychrophilic bacteria can grow in it which can cause illnesses like sepsis, dysentery, GIT infections, meningitis, diarrhea, and food poisoning.

Microwave – 

If you are using a very old microwave oven, chances are high that the radiation are leaking from it. Earlier models are more prone to radiation leaks so if your model is 10 to 15 years old consider replacing it. Microwave radiations are very harmful and can affect the patient with pacemakers. It causes headaches, dizziness, impaired cognition, depression, and irritability in normal individuals.

Hair dryers – 

If you are using a very old hair dryer, chances are high that it contains asbestos which remains in the air for a prolonged duration and causes respiratory illness. Asbestos fibers can easily reach into the lower region of the lung, causing fibrotic lung disease (asbestosis) and it also changes the lining of the pleura.

Conclusions

Keeping old electronics at home can pose some real health challenges. So replacing them with the new one is the best decision.