Objectives To understand the health impacts of centralized air conditioning system on employees in public places in Minhang District, Shanghai.

Methods 276 employees from 7 units (hotels and waiting rooms) with centralized air conditioning systems were chosen as the exposed population. 356 employees from 13 hotels and waiting rooms without centralized air conditioning systems were chosen as the control population. Questionnaire investigation was conducted in the above population from July to September, 2017.

Results The exposure group suffered higher incidence of ocular, respiratory system, and skin uncomfortable symptoms than the control group, and the difference has statistical significance (P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to centralized air conditioning systems, female, higher educational level, and higher family income were risk factors of employees having uncomfortable symptoms, while the use of or wearing protective equipment was the protective factor of employees having uncomfortable symptoms (P < 0.05).

Conclusions The use of centralized air conditioning systems in public places might have effects to some extent on health-related symptoms of employees, so sanitary management and surveillance should be enforced.