So this article says that it's misunderstood, but real:<p><a href="http://askakorean.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/fan-death-is-real.html" rel="nofollow">http://askakorean.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/fan-death-is-real.h...</a><p>Quoting from that:<p><pre><code> This pamphlet from the EPA[0], at pages 49
and 51, clearly states the hazard of using
portable electric fans during high heat. It
specifically says “Portable electric fans
can … increase the circulation of hot air,
which increases thermal stress and health
risks[,]” and “DON’T use a portable electric
fan in a closed room without windows or doors
open to the outside.”
</code></pre>
Problem is, that link now goes somewhere else, and not to a pamphlet at all. Tricky.<p>However, this has been discussed at length here:<p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8740683" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8740683</a><p>It's also been submitted lots of times, although the last time was a month ago, so maybe we should see it again:<p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11844310" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11844310</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9825096" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9825096</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8136969" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8136969</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5357829" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5357829</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3943075" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3943075</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3890949" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3890949</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3425519" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3425519</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3310449" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3310449</a><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1465409" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1465409</a><p>[0] <a href="http://www.epa.gov/hiri/about/pdf/EHEguide_final.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.epa.gov/hiri/about/pdf/EHEguide_final.pdf</a>