Can you get sick/allergies from having air from the air vent hit you directly?

Question

I just moved into a new office several days ago, and the air from the vent in the ceiling is hitting me directly (i'm trying to get them to turn the vents a different direction). now, my throat is dry and i am constantly blowing my nose. could this be related?

Answer 1

You bet! We had the same problem at an office I worked in. It was frustrating, because the maintenance people said the vent had to be able to flow freely and not be blocked, we had climbed up ant taped cardboard over it, not entirely but most of it. We finally got them to do something after several employees were constantly having runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy throat, eye infection, several things, and they all brought notes from their docs that the vent could be an irritant. They put in new vent covers that dispersed the air out towards the ceiling, instead of down on the heads, necks of employees. Good luck, tell 'em to fix it.

Answer 2

Absolutely!!! I have the same problem at work but the air is very cold and now I have a sore throat, runny nose and eyes. Get them to either turn the direction of the vent or sit somewhere else. It is a detriment to your health.

Answer 3

There could be dust that in the air vents that is blowing onto you. That could be causing you to become sick .

Answer 4

ABSOLUTELY!!!...that is why a lot of people get sick after being on airplanes...the air gets recirculated as well as the germs from people who are coughing or sneezing on the planes...works as well with any air conditioning system.

Answer 5

Yes, especially if there is mold in the air-conditioning system. My mother tends to get ill if she runs the air conditioner too much- so she won't, unless she really has to.