Article summary
Low or high humidity can negatively affect health, comfort, and productivity by contributing to issues such as dry skin, respiratory irritation, airborne infection risk, and poor concentration. Maintaining indoor humidity between 40% and 60% RH helps support overall health and well-being.
Low humidity can increase risk of illness
Dry air can allow viruses and other airborne particles to remain suspended longer and weaken the body's natural respiratory defenses.
Dry air causes skin, eye, and respiratory irritation
Low humidity can lead to dry skin, cracked lips, irritated eyes, and discomfort in the nose and throat.
Humidity levels affect comfort, concentration, and well-being.
Imbalanced humidity can contribute to discomfort, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, affecting overall wellness and productivity.
The hidden health effects of low humidity
The process of accumulating humidity in one’s body can lead to a wide array of health and wellness effects. Depending on whether the relative humidity (RH) in an environment is too low, high, or balanced (between 40% to 60% RH), we encounter different conditions and symptoms of poor or adequate humidity control. From airborne infection control to electrostatic discharge prevention, there are many ways humidification plays a role in protecting human health. Here are some of the most common effects in particular, many of which may prove to be surprising.
Overheating and/or increased perspiration
Despite the fact that humidity doesn’t actually affect the temperature in an environment, it can still convince our bodies that temperatures are higher than they really are. This is due to the fact that moisture remains on our skin in circumstances when the relative humidity (RH) levels are higher, causing it to not dissipate nearly as easily. Our bodies then cause us to perspire even more in an attempt to naturally combat this sensation. The result is us feeling warmer – sometimes to the point of overheating, which can result in serious health issues such as heat stroke and exhaustion.
If the humidity in an environment declines to substandard levels, our nasal passages become drier. This can, in fact, worsen allergy symptoms and make those with allergies highly susceptible to feeling discomfort, irritation, and even developing sinus infections. Conversely, high humidity encourages the development of mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens that can equally negatively impact our wellness and health.
Common effects of improper humidity levels include:
- Worsened allergy symptoms
- Dry, irritated nasal passages
- Increased susceptibility to sinus infections
- Growth of mold, mildew, and dust mites
- Increased asthma triggers and breathing difficulties
The air can become more difficult to breathe as well, which can result in an increased risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Maintaining proper humidity control can protect against developing such issues by ensuring our nasal passages possess sufficient moisture, which acts as a barrier against allergic and asthmatic symptoms and triggers.
Drier conditions with low humidity can cause us to develop a range of problems due to our inability to absorb and retain sufficient moisture. The direct result of this is skin irritation, cracked lips, rashes, flaking, roughness, and eye irritation, the latter of which can develop into serious infections if not treated or rectified in time with proper, clean moisturization. Proper humidity control, set at 40% to 60% RH, can assist in minimizing these ill effects and protect our skin, hair, and eyes.
When relative humidity (RH) levels are imbalanced, it can put exponentially more strain on our bodies, requiring them to work harder to function as they normally would. This means our minds are required to work harder, and as a result, it can occasionally prove more difficult to focus and remain mentally engaged in poorly humidified conditions. This is why educational facilities, hospitals, and offices require proper humidity control in addition to protecting inhabitants from health issues.
When humidity levels are lower, conductive surfaces retain more static electricity. As a direct result, we can become the recipients of surges when interacting with surfaces harboring pent-up energy. Proper humidity control can reduce the amount of static electricity retained, often eliminating the risk of instances of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Typically, maintaining 40% to 60% RH is sufficient to reduce the risk of ESD potentialities. Electrostatic discharge prevention goes a long way in protecting people, property, and productivity.
When an environment’s conditions feature overly low or high humidity, it can allow airborne bacteria, viruses, and particles to more easily reach us. This can result in a greater risk of developing respiratory infections and illnesses such as influenza, as we can more readily absorb airborne contaminants in poorly humidified conditions.
Potential effects of improper humidity levels include:
- Increased airborne infection risk
- Greater exposure to bacteria, viruses, and particles
- Increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as influenza
- Reduced indoor air quality
- Greater potential for the spread of airborne contaminants
With proper humidity control, the amount of time these particles and bacteria can remain airborne is reduced, causing them to settle more quickly. As a result, their reach is limited, making it easier to control the spread of infection. Airborne infection control is particularly important in environments where chemicals, particles, and microorganisms may be introduced into the airstream, such as hospitals, paint spray booths, sanding decks, and schools.
Why maintaining proper humidity matters
Our bodies are highly sensitive to even slight atmospheric changes, including those caused by imbalanced relative humidity (RH) levels. Poor humidity control can contribute to a range of issues, from respiratory infections and skin irritation to reduced concentration and productivity.
Maintaining balanced humidity can help support:
- Respiratory health and infection control
- Skin, eye, and nasal comfort
- Mental focus and productivity
- Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD)
- Overall health, wellness, and comfort
This is why maintaining indoor humidity between 40% and 60% RH is essential for supporting health, wellness, productivity, and indoor environmental quality. Through proper airborne infection control, electrostatic discharge prevention, and humidity management, we can create healthier, safer, and more comfortable indoor environments.
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