Air humidity
Did you know
  • Did you know
  • The effects of dryness and humidity
  • Solutions
  • Did you know ?

    The prevention and treatment of indoor air pollution in our homes is essential to protect our health.

    To manage air quality in the home, you also need to monitor humidity levels.

    In fact, breathing air that is too humid or too dry can have harmful effects on our respiratory system.

    Humidity levels in the home can vary greatly between countries, continents and climatic zones. According to the WHO, between 10% and 50% of indoor environments in Europe, North America, Australia, India and Japan are not humid enough.

    The optimum level of humidity in the air is considered to be between 50% and 60%. Simple solutions exist to achieve this optimum level of humidity and so to preserve our comfort and health.

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  • THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF POORLY MANAGED HUMIDITY
    The eyes
    Air that is too dry or too humid
    Risks to health : Dry eyes, conjunctivitis
    Skin
    Air that is too dry
    Risks to health : Extreme dryness, eczema, dermatitis
    Respiratory system
    Air that is too dry
    Risks to health : Sinusitis and chronic rhinitis, pulmonary infections, aggravation of asthma
    Respiratory system
    Air that is too dry
    Risks to health : Rhinites, rhinopharyngites, laryngites
    AIR THAT IS TOO DRY OR TOO HUMID?
    • HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AIR THAT IS TOO DRY
      HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AIR THAT IS TOO DRY

      We consider the air too dry when relative humidity is below 30%. When the air is too dry and it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, it seeks to re-humidify and 'capture' the water.

      Breathing air that is too dry on a daily basis can lead to skin dryness, eczema and dermatitis (redness of the skin) as well as dry eyes or conjunctivitis.

      Air that is too dry can also indirectly promote the development of chronic respiratory infections such as rhinitis, rhinopharyngitis or laryngitis.

      In children, air that is too dry will irritate the mucous membranes and increase respiratory difficulty, and so can promote the development of bronchiolitis.

    • HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AIR THAT IS TOO HUMID
      HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF AIR THAT IS TOO HUMID

      We consider the air too humid when relative humidity is above 70%.

      Air that is too humid is associated with the proliferation of micro-organisms such as mold and acarids, the suspension of allergenic particles and also the release of numerous chemical pollutants into the air.

      These different pollutants, as they penetrate the respiratory system, can lead to chronic infections and the progressive deterioration of the respiratory mucous membranes with consequences such as :
      - acute respiratory diseases, bronchitis, bronchiolitis - chronic sinusitis and rhinitis.

      They can aggravate the mucous membrane in the eyes (conjunctivitis, damage to the surface of the eye). Breathing air that is too humid can also aggravate the symptoms of asthma.

  • Solutions

    Controlling humidity levels is a key parameter for having high quality air in the home. Dry throat, skin dryness, allergies, mold, etc. We have all felt the impact of air that is too dry or too humid. For the good of our health, both in the short and long-term, we need to control humidity levels in the home as best as possible.

    The optimum relative humidity level in a room is considered to be between 50% and 60%, in order to allow for the correct exchange of gases, and to limit the development of micro-organisms and infections.

    There are solutions that exist to manage the level of humidity in the air.

    • Ventilate
      Ventilate
      All year long and through every season, it is beneficial to your health to refresh the air in each room.
    • Purify!
      An air purifier with filters helps to fight against indoor pollution, particularly for the most sensitive like children, allergic asthmatics or the elderly.
    • Manage your humidity
      Maintaining humidity levels thanks to a device equipped with a humidity monitor is a good way to monitor the quality air in your home.
    7 GOOD THINGS TO DO
    • 1 / 7
      Ventilate every day

      10 minutes of ventilation is enough to refresh the air in one room.

      So, in winter and summer alike, open the windows and ventilate your home!

    • 2 / 7
      Maintain your ventilation system

      Remember to regularly clean your ventilation grids and check that your furniture or decorations are not blocking them. For humid rooms, increase their ventilation.

    • 3 / 7
      Dry your laundry outside

      This is important to avoid high humidity levels in your home.

    • 4 / 7
      Choose your plants carefully

      Avoid having plants that require frequent watering or high humidity.

    • 5 / 7
      Limit the heating in your home

      In winter, heat the living rooms in your home to an average of 70°F for your comfort, and bedrooms to 66°F.

    • 6 / 7
      Use a humidifier

      To optimize the level of humidity in your home.

    • 7 / 7
      Limit the use of air-conditioning

      Limit the use of air-conditioning, which tends to dry out the air.