US EPA

21503 

Journal Article 

Indirect health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments 

Arundel, AV; Sterling, EM; Biggin, JH; Sterling, TD 

1986 

Yes 

Environmental Health Perspectives
ISSN: 0091-6765
EISSN: 1552-9924 

NIOSH/00168197 

65 

351-361 

English 

3709462 

WOS:A1986C041200050 

A review of the health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments suggests that relative humidity can affect the incidence of respiratory infections and allergies. Experimental studies on airborne-transmitted infectious bacteria and viruses have shown that the survival or infectivity of these organisms is minimized by exposure to relative humidities between 40 and 70%. Nine epidemiological studies examined the relationship between the number of respiratory infections or absenteeism and the relative humidity of the office, residence, or school. The incidence of absenteeism or respiratory infections was found to be lower among people working or living in environments with mid-range versus low or high relative humidities. The indoor size of allergenic mite and fungal populations is directly dependent upon the relative humidity. Mite populations are minimized when the relative humidity is below 50% and reach a maximum size at 80% relative humidity. Most species of fungi cannot grow unless the relative humidity exceeds 60%. Relative humidity also affects the rate of offgassing of formaldehyde from indoor building materials, the rate of formation of acids and salts from sulfur and nitrogen dioxide, and the rate of formation of ozone. The influence of relative humidity on the abundance of allergens, pathogens, and noxious chemicals suggests that indoor relative humidity levels should be considered as a factor of indoor air quality. The majority of adverse health effects caused by relative humidity would be minimized by maintaining indoor levels between 40 and 60%. This would require humidification during winter in areas with cold winter climates. Humidification should preferably use evaporative or steam humidifiers, as cool mist humidifiers can disseminate aerosols contaminated with allergens. 

DCN-154586; Workplace studies; Viral infections; Viral diseases; Skin irritants; Skin disorders; Respiratory irritants; Allergic reactions; Allergic disorders; Eye irritants; Climatic factors; Environmental engineering