My scientific instinct is to think this idea of "fan death" is ridiculous. But the US EPA is not helping:
In
these conditions, portable electric fans provide a cooling effect by evaporating sweat. The
increased circulation of hot air and increased sweat evaporation can, however, speed the
onset of heat-attributable conditions (e.g., heat exhaustion).http://www.epa.gov/hiri/about/pdf/EHEguide_final.pdf
EDIT: On further reflection I think his claim that 90F/31C ambient air with a household fan blowing on you (because it makes you feel cooler) is comparable in lethality to 140F/61C is outright absurd.
In these conditions, portable electric fans provide a cooling effect by evaporating sweat. The increased circulation of hot air and increased sweat evaporation can, however, speed the onset of heat-attributable conditions (e.g., heat exhaustion). http://www.epa.gov/hiri/about/pdf/EHEguide_final.pdf
EDIT: On further reflection I think his claim that 90F/31C ambient air with a household fan blowing on you (because it makes you feel cooler) is comparable in lethality to 140F/61C is outright absurd.