Could the odor coming my central air unit be hazardous to my family's health?

Answer by  jrutled2 (15)

Yes, it could. The filtration system may be infected with harmful bacteria or mould spores, among a number of things. This would cause a direct health hazard for your family, as the air in your home can become directly contaminated. It would be best to have such an odor inspected by a professional.

Answer by  Dontbugme (697)

That would depend on what is causing the smell. If the smell comes from standing water somewhere in your AC it can indeed be harmful because it can turn into black mold which is toxic. And even if it isn't the toxic variety, the mold can cause allergic symptoms which can compromise your health.

Answer by  starmlw (960)

Some older units may use coolants that can be hazardous and if you have a leak in the system then yes it could be a problem. Have it checked.

Answer by  G12345 (1808)

Most certainly it should be looked at. There are many environmental particles from central air units that cause respiratory disease. Fungus is often hard to find and can cause a bad smell.

Answer by  worker12 (293)

It is always a possibility any air odor could be harmful to ones health. Replacing the filters on a regular basis and having the ducts cleaned by a professional company should remedy this problem. There could be mold buildup from dust and moisture in the ducts. Preventive maintenance , after duct cleaning,replace the filters once a month.

Answer by  oldmom (716)

You should certainly have it checked, especially if you detect a moldy or musty smell, as you could have molds in your system that could cause respiratory problems, asthma and other health difficulties. If it is a chemical smell, it's possible that the fresh air intake is picking up lawn chemical odors, which could also be dangerous.

Answer by  John (9008)

It is possible, depending on what is causing the odor. It is probably harmless, though, but there are some possibilies (mold being the most likely) that could be troublesome.