According to new research published today by the Madrid Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery Society (NEUMOMADRID), 20% of air-conditioning users have suffered respiratory problems as a result. Of these, 43% caught colds while 27% suffered sore throats.

NEUMOMADRID has put together a set of guidelines for safe air-conditioning use. These include ensuring that temperatures do not fall below 24ºC during the day, rising to 25ºC at night. It is also recommended that air filters be cleaned at the start of each summer as these can harbour dangerous bacteria and fungi such as legionella and aspergillus.