Humidity in the apartment is the norm set by GOSTs and SanPiN. Thanks to optimal indicators, the human body feels comfortable indoors, is capable of healthy life and the fulfillment of physical, intellectual tasks.
Humidity rates
Any air (indoors or outdoors) has a specific temperature and humidity percentage. Both parameters affect the human body.
If with temperature fluctuations it is enough to dress / undress in order to feel relatively comfortable, then when the normal indicator of humidity changes to the critical, the body experiences stress.
The human body is 80% water. Therefore, excessive humidity outside makes breathing difficult, which leads to poor blood supply to organs and systems.
The optimal indicator of humidity for residential premises is considered to be a range from 45% to 55%. Anything higher or lower is considered critical and requires outside intervention.
Sanitary humidity standards for residential
Despite the fact that the optimum permissible level of humidity in residential buildings, apartments and commercial premises is 45–55%, there are a number of documents that regulate these parameters. About what should be the humidity in the apartment or house, classroom, office, the following legislative papers interpret:
- SanPiN 2.1.2.1002-00. The optimum level of humidity should be in the range of 30 to 45%. The same is prescribed in SNiP 2.04.05-91. At the same time, it is also written in SanPiN that if the room is not equipped with a forced ventilation system, optimal humidity indicators are achieved by regularly ventilating the rooms.
- GOST 30494-2011. Indoor microclimate parameters. It states that the humidity in the living area should not exceed 60%.
- SNiP 23-01-99. There are three levels of humidity in the rooms: dry air (less than 40%); normal (40-50%); high humidity (from 60%).
Physiologists and health professionals recommend that you do not lower the humidity in the room below 45%, regardless of the time of year or the effect of the heating season.
How humidity affects a person’s well-being
Optimum moisture in living rooms helps the human body to function fully and remain in a healthy state. If this parameter drops below normal (dry air), the body undergoes such changes:
- dry mucous membranes, skin, hair;
- the appearance of peeling and cracks in the epidermis;
- the introduction into the microscopic wounds of pathogenic bacteria;
- ingestion of dust microparticles into the respiratory tract, spores of the fungus, which will never be fixed on a normal wet mucosa, and in this case they will go deeper;
- the manifestation of allergic reactions;
- the development of bronchial asthma;
- the formation of conjunctivitis;
- general dehydration of the body;
- impaired transmission of nerve impulses from muscles to the brain, etc.
Particularly severely affected by increased dryness in the room are small children and the elderly. Immunity is weakened, unable to withstand abnormal conditions of existence.
With high humidity, there are such health risks:
- growth and development of fungus on the walls of the room;
- ingress of mold spores into the respiratory tract and mucous membranes;
- the development of allergic reactions;
- respiratory failure (inhaling in a damp room is harder to do);
- Inadequate saturation of organs and systems with oxygen.
In order for the indoor microclimate to be healthy, it is important to comply with temperature indicators and recommended humidity parameters in winter and summer.
The pediatrician Komarovsky recommends maintaining the necessary humidity level in the children's room within 60%, especially if the baby is sick. This indicator contributes to a speedy recovery, since bacteria and microbes are not able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the respiratory tract of a newborn and an older baby.
External signs of overdried and humidified air
To quickly determine the level of humidity in the house, just look around. When air is dry, wooden objects crack, indoor flowers look withered and dry, a large amount of dust collects on horizontal surfaces.
High humidity means foggy windows, fungus in the corners of the room on the wallpaper, mold deposits on the ground in pots with indoor flowers. In addition, the room has a distinct smell of dampness.
How to determine the humidity level
To determine the humidity parameter, you can use one of several popular methods:
- Banal - a glass of water. To do this, fill the glass with a transparent glass and put it in the refrigerator for several hours. Then the glass is removed and put on the table in the kitchen. Are watching. If the outer walls of the glass are fogged up after 10-15 minutes, the humidity level in the room is normal. The walls are dry - the air is dry. Drops of water roll down the walls onto the table - humidity is more than 60% (increased).
- Scientific - a hygrometer. Such a device can be mechanical, condensation, electronic. Judging by practice, electronic is the most accurate in readings. The hygrometer is installed indoors and waiting for the results.
- Mathematical - Asman's table. For her, you need a room thermometer. First, you should measure the air temperature in the room and enter the readings in the vertical column (make a mark on the scale). Then the thermometer is wrapped in a wet cloth and left for 5-10 minutes. Over time, it is removed and the difference between the readings of the “dry” thermometer and the “wet” is calculated. Data is entered in the horizontal column of the table. The number that turned out to be at the intersection of these two indicators is the humidity level in the room.
- Folk - natural materials. For example, a fir cone. It needs to be fixed on plywood and left at the top of the room. If over time the scales of the cone begin to open, the air in the room is dry. Dulling - very wet. Remain unchanged - indicators are normal.
One can observe indoor flowers. If the tips of their leaves dry and crumble, there is overdried air.
How to optimize the microclimate in the house
After we managed to measure the humidity in the rooms, we need to take actions to optimize the microclimate. You need to act depending on the situation.
To increase humidity, you can do the following:
- Install humidifiers in the rooms. With continuous operation of the device, it may take 5 to 7 days for the air in the apartment or house to fully normalize.
- Wet clean regularly.
- Dry the laundered laundry indoors (on ropes, doors, a dryer or radiators).
- Install an aquarium with fish with a capacity of at least 10 liters in the room.
- Ensure full ventilation of the rooms according to the draft principle. It is advisable to do this three times a day.
- To plant indoor plants in moderation to moisten the air.
You can also keep the bathroom door constantly open, often spray indoor plants, and install water tanks near radiators.
With increased humidity in the house, do the following:
- Be sure to check the operability of the ventilation system in the apartment. In case of malfunction, invite a specialist.
- Install a range hood over the stove. Especially if the house is a lot and often cooked.
- Ventilate the room regularly.
- Provide normal heating at home. High-quality heating dries the air to normal.
- Turn on the air conditioning for heating.
- If there are leaks in the sewer and water pipes, urgently eliminate them.
- The best option for reducing humidity is the use of dehumidifiers. Which one to choose - compression or adsorption, it is up to the owner of the apartment. Both cope with the task perfectly.
Another way to reduce the humidity in a room is to give sunlight access to the room. It is advisable to keep the curtains wide open during the day.
A normal level of moisture in the air is the key to the health of adults and children.
