What do you know about humidity levels in your home? For sure, too dry air spoils hair and skin, and too humid leads to mold. We tell you how to avoid it!
Let's start with a horror story: in one very, very scary house, there was very, very high humidity. Because of this, mold started up in the house, as well as other microorganisms that cause allergies and asthmatic conditions in their inhabitants. In another, no less terrible house, on the contrary, the humidity was unusually low. Residents suffered from overdried skin, breathing heavily and constantly rubbing their eyes. All because they did not read our advice.
What level of humidity should be in the apartment?
The optimal level of humidity in the apartment is from 30% to 50%. Ideal - exactly 45%. Anything lower will irritate your eyes, nose and throat, anything higher will encourage the growth of bad bacteria.
What is the optimal humidity level in winter?
In winter, the level of humidity is especially reduced, since cold air retains less moisture than warm air. The problem is exacerbated by the presence of heating, as radiators burn off most of the water vapor in the air.
The comfortable perception of moisture also changes - if the apartment is a little more than 20 degrees, and the street is less than minus 7, then the optimal humidity in the house drops to 40 percent, and with every 15-degree drop in temperature outside the window, it decreases by another 5%.
How to measure the humidity level in a room?
On the left is a thermometer. Shows temperature and humidity level. On the right is an electronic weather station, with a lot of options (for example, some models measure the levels of carbon dioxide and dust in the air).
The most accurate way is to get a hygrometer or an electronic weather station. Devices are different, but the simplest is an electronic hygrometer, which automatically shows the level of humidity. Sold in online stores and electronics stores. It is possible to connect a humidifier to some devices: as soon as the humidity level drops / rises, the weather station will automatically turn on humidification / dehumidification. If you are currently at the stage of planning a new home, consider installing a weather station in advance.
How to increase too low humidity?
1) Natural hydration.Depending on the degree of dryness of the apartment, use the following methods:
Dry things in the bedroom;
Spray water around the apartment;
Pour water into all vases and bowls, place water bowls on all radiators;
If you take a bath, do not immediately drain the water, but leave the bathroom door open (NB! This method is not suitable if you have small children);
Wash with the door open;
Cook on the stove, not in the oven;
Get plenty of indoor plants, they continuously release moisture from the leaves and stems in the form of steam. The main thing is not to forget to water on time.
2) Room humidifiers
The most common type of humidifier is a portable device that can be placed on the floor or table.
Room humidifiers come in two types: traditional cold vapor humidifiers and warm vapor humidifiers. The first ones work like this - water is poured into the reservoir, from where it enters the evaporative element (cartridge, disk or filter), and then the built-in fan drives the air through the evaporator, moistening and cleaning it. Warm steam humidifiers heat the water, causing it to boil, turning the water into steam and saturating the air with moisture.
The advantages of steam systems are that they are easy to use, affordable, and can fit perfectly into the interior. There are also disadvantages - the water tank must be refilled regularly, and the control and measurement of relative humidity is limited.
3) Home humidification system
The most expensive and most controlled humidity system. Most often connected to the heating system and distributes steam throughout the house. Humidifier needs connection cold water, which goes through several stages of cleaning before being released into the air, this provides additional security and humidity control to the nearest percent.
How to reduce too high humidity?
When cooking, use a hood;
Install ventilation in the bathroom;
Open windows if the air is drier outside;
Dry shoes and clothes outside;
Reduce the number of plants;
Increase the amount of daylight entering the apartment - remove the curtains, wash the windows, remove everything from the windowsill;
Wash in colder water;
Put a carpet on the floor, it will catch the moisture.
2) Use your home air conditioner more often
3) Install humidity sensors and dehumidifier
Install a dehumidifier directly into your heating and cooling system, or buy separate units for each room. A natural gas dryer, for example, can remove up to 40 liters per day. And then humidity sensors will help you. As we discussed in the section above, sensors send signals to the dehumidifier or air conditioning system.
For comfortable living it is not necessary to know the exact figure of humidity in the apartment. It is quite enough to understand for yourself how easy it is to breathe in the house, whether the skin dries out, whether moisture collects on the walls and ceiling. Be attentive to your feelings in the house, pay attention to every little thing, discuss with designers and builders at the stage of preparing for repairs everything that makes your life less or more comfortable. If anything, come to us - you needchoose interior preferences we'll take care of the rest.
AT recent times increased interest in humidity. Exist optimal values this parameter and adjustment methods.
One of the parameters of the air in the apartment is the humidity of the air. This indicator affects the person's perception of the ambient temperature. A person's well-being is directly related to the level of humidity. Therefore, many are wondering - what is the humidity of the air is considered normal in the apartment?
The concept of the term
The amount of water vapor present in the air mass of a room is called humidity. The parameter changes according to the season. With the onset of winter, the premises begin to be heated, which leads to heating of the air. This in turn affects its dryness.
In the presence of poor heating, the air temperature does not rise, and there is more moisture.
The parameter is divided into two types:
- Relative - implies the ratio of the actual volume of water in the air under certain conditions, expressed as a percentage.
- Absolute - implies the content of 1 gram of water in 1 m3 of air.
Relative humidity in the room is a generally accepted parameter. The level of humidity determines the state of the microclimate.
What causes high and low moisture
A low level can lead to the following problems:
- Reducing the elastic properties of hair, nails, skin;
- The mucous membrane of the eyes begins to dry, which leads to redness or itching;
- The blood becomes thicker, which affects the general condition of the body (weakness, decreased ability to work, pain in the head);
- The mucous membranes of the respiratory system begin to dry, which has an impact on the decrease in immune protective functions;
- An increase in the number of allergens that lead to the fact that an allergy to moisture and dampness appears.
Low values of the parameter lead to increased loss of moisture through the skin and respiratory tract.
If the value becomes high, the following consequences occur:
- The appearance of fungal and mold formations;
- The appearance of a feeling of dampness in the house;
- The rate of reproduction of bacteria increases;
- Rapid food spoilage.
High or low humidity affects not only the human body, but also interior items. Houseplants can start or begin to rot if there is more or less moisture. Furniture, flooring, paper items are also affected.
Normalized values
Based on the seasonal period and the purpose of the premises, it is known different meanings. For residential premises, the parameters are characteristic:
- The minimum air humidity in summer is 30-60%. Level can be maxed out up to 65%. In some areas, the norm has been increased to 75% due to the increased moisture content
- The norm in winter is 30-45%. The highest level of 60% is allowed.
For other premises (bathroom, toilet, pantry, corridor), the value of the indicator is not standardized.
The optimal value is considered to be 45%. Normal humidity in a children's room corresponds to a value of 50-70%. If the child has ARVI-type diseases and other infectious diseases, a value of at least 60% should be maintained.
Measurement methods
The percentage of humidity can be measured using auxiliary equipment - a hygrometer. This device is used by specialists of different laboratories. But there is used professional equipment. For housing, you can purchase a hygrometer with simple mechanism action (the error of such a device is 3-5%). You can find a thermometer or watch that comes with a hygrometer. There are other ways to define this parameter.
With a glass of water
Comfortable humidity depends on the amount of moisture in the air. The method involves the use of a glass of water. This glass is cooled in the refrigerator to a temperature of 3-5°C. It usually takes 3 hours to reach the required temperature. Then the glass is placed where there is no temperature difference, i.e. away from the battery. Condensation should form on the walls of the container, which should be monitored. After 5 minutes, the following results are possible:
- Drying glass indicates reduced moisture;
- Remaining fogging indicates that a valid value is present;
- The flow of water trickles suggests a high water content.
This method fails to find exact value, but may indicate an over or under value.
Using a thermometer and an Assmann table
This method is based on measuring moisture with a psychrometer. This device is formed by two thermometers. At home, you can make a similar device with your own hands, using a conventional thermometer to measure air temperature. The air temperature is pre-measured, then the end of the thermometer is wrapped in a damp cloth. After five minutes, the temperature of the tissue is measured. The value will be lower than usual.
After measurements, it is required to use the Assmann table, which displays the value of relative humidity based on two temperatures. Find the measured temperature in the table (the vertical column corresponds to the dry bulb readings). After calculating the difference between the dry and wet bulb values, find the appropriate value on the horizontal line of the table. At the intersection of these values is the value of the relative value. It may be close to the value that corresponds to the recommended humidity in the home.
With a fir cone
This method involves the use of spruce cones. It should be placed away from heating devices. After a few hours, the bump may change. With a greater opening of the scales, we can talk about the presence of a large number moisture. If there was a dense compression of the form, then there is a lot of moisture.
Humidity change
Normal air humidity in the apartment should be in the range of 30-65%. Moreover, 65% corresponds to the upper acceptable limit. If this range is not observed, various methods of changing indicators can be applied. To increase the indicators, you should adhere to the following principles:
- Having an aquarium or fountain will add moisture;
- Minimize the use of heating and air conditioning equipment;
- Purchase humidifiers;
- Use a spray bottle to spray water;
- The presence of indoor flowers;
- Performing wet cleaning.
To reduce the level of humidity, there are such rules:
- Ventilate the room regularly;
- Install a ventilating device;
- Buy dehumidifiers;
- The use of heating devices is allowed;
- Do not dry clothes indoors;
- Avoid breakage water pipes and plumbing.
In the presence of a sick child, the humidity must be increased to a value of 70%. But the temperature must be controlled. After all, the highest air temperature cannot be more than 24 ° C.
Symptoms of poor health may depend on the humidity in the room. Given this parameter, you can warn the body against many diseases, prevent the appearance of mold, and preserve interior items.
The microclimate in an apartment or house is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Too low or high humidity and temperature indicators negatively affect the health and well-being of households, and therefore it is important to monitor them and correct them in time.
Humidity rate
Humidity is a parameter that can be absolute or relative. Absolute humidity is the weight of moisture in one cubic meter of air.
Absolute humidity is measured in g/m3.
However, when determining the microclimate, not absolute, but relative humidity is used. This parameter depends on the largest water-to-air content at the current temperature. To determine it, you need to divide the weight of real water vapor in the air by the maximum possible and multiply by one hundred percent.
For example, if the air temperature is 24 ° C, then one cubic meter of it can hold up to 21.8 g of water. If in the same cubic meter of air there is 13 g of water, then the relative humidity is 60%.
Humidity norm according to GOST
Interstate standards determine the most comfortable indoor humidity for a person by the document GOST 30494–96. According to these settings, the optimal humidity in a residential building during the cold season is 30–45%, the maximum allowable is 60%. In summer the most comfortable conditions provides relative humidity from 30 to 60%, but an indicator above 65% is considered unacceptable. These parameters are set for residential (bedroom, living room) and walk-through rooms (corridor).
GOST specifies that the optimal values of relative humidity are not standardized for the following premises:
- kitchen;
- bathroom, toilet or combined bathroom;
- pantry.
The child's body needs a particularly gentle and delicate environment. Children suffer more from a lack or excess of humidity, and therefore it is extremely important to regulate the microclimate in the children's room. The optimal humidity for a nursery is 50–60%. At lower humidity, even if it meets the GOST standards, the child's mucous membranes and nasopharynx begin to dry out. Such a norm should be maintained at any time of the year - both in winter and in summer. 
Humidity in the children's room should be higher than in the "adult" living space
Pediatricians recommend maintaining 60% humidity in the room healthy child and increase it to 70% if he catches a cold. This measure will improve the baby's well-being, reduce perspiration and itching, relieve unpleasant symptoms of the disease and speed up recovery. However, when increasing humidity, do not forget to monitor the air temperature - it should not be higher than 22 ° C. Otherwise, the child's room will have an unbearably stuffy "tropical" microclimate.
Deviations from the norm
If the indoor humidity is below 30%, the residents of the house may experience the following problems:
- Peeling of the skin. In people with the most sensitive and delicate skin, dry air quickly causes peeling and itching. Moisturizing creams and masks will only help temporarily if the bedroom or living room is set to low humidity.
If your skin is flaky, the most likely cause is too low humidity. - Constant dryness in the throat, perspiration. When the air we breathe is too dry, our mucous membranes are deprived of the moisture they need. Because of this, we constantly want to clear our throat, there is an unpleasant feeling of itching in the throat. If after a glass of water this feeling does not go away, then it is necessary to increase the relative humidity in the room.
Dry air often causes such an unpleasant sensation as a sore throat. - Decreased immunity, susceptibility to infections. This consequence follows from the previous paragraph - due to insufficient moisture, the mucous membrane becomes vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and therefore a person who constantly lives in a room with low humidity easily becomes a victim of all kinds of seasonal viral diseases.
A person who is constantly in a room with dry air is at risk for seasonal diseases such as influenza.
High humidity (more than 70%) leads to the following unpleasant consequences:
- Mold, fungus and other pests are actively growing in the house, which not only spoil the aesthetic appearance of the room, but are also the causative agents of allergic reactions. The spread of fungus in an apartment where a small child lives is especially dangerous - this can provoke the appearance of chronic respiratory diseases.
Mold in the house - a dangerous pest for breathing - Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as rheumatism. If a person living in such a room undergoes a course of treatment, then after a short relief, the disease will return again - if the humidity in the room is not reduced.
Chronic joint pain can be caused by too much humidity - Repair damage. High humidity has an extremely negative effect on the quality of your interior. Swollen parquet or laminate, peeling wallpaper, unsightly appearance wooden furniture- all these are the consequences of high moisture content in the air.
If the room has high humidity for a long time, the wallpaper may peel off at the edges.
Optimum temperature
The optimum temperature in residential premises, as well as humidity, is established by the interstate standard GOST R 51617–2000. According to this document, in the bedroom, living room and corridor, the temperature should fluctuate between 20°C and 22°C. The upper threshold for the living room is 24°C. In the bathroom, GOST sets the standard at 25 ° C, in the toilet - 18 ° C, as well as in utility rooms (pantry, drying room). The kitchen is set to 19-21°C.
Air temperature is an important component of the microclimate of the apartment In the hot season, the temperature in the apartment should rise by 1-2 ° C, no more. Maximum allowable temperature in the room in the summer - 25 ° C.
The microclimate in the children's room is somewhat different from ordinary living quarters, because the child, being active and mobile, needs a cooler environment. Moreover, the temperature in the nursery is highly dependent on the age of the child. So, baby needs more warm air- 23–24°С. Children from three years of age feel more comfortable in the cool - 18–19 ° C. Further, as the child grows older, the temperature is brought to the “adult” value of 20–22 ° C. 
Correctly set temperature in the children's room - a guarantee of well-being and sound sleep of the child
Excessively high temperature in the nursery forces the child's body to regulate its heat exchange using the sweat glands. As a result, the baby becomes sweaty, diaper rash, redness may form. Moreover, losing a significant part of the moisture along with sweat, the child begins to suffer from dehydration - this leads to pain, problems with digestion of food, as well as diseases of the oral cavity caused by insufficient saliva production.
The air in the bedroom should not be too warm - no more than 21 ° C, ideally - 19 ° C. Surely you have noticed that it is almost impossible to fall asleep in a hot room. Because of this, many people ventilate their bedroom before bed - by temporarily lowering the temperature, they help themselves fall asleep more calmly. Unfortunately, from the point of view of adjusting the microclimate, this measure is not entirely correct. 
Cool air in the bedroom helps you sleep better
Coolness in the bedroom should be maintained not only at the moment of falling asleep, but also during the entire duration of sleep, so simply airing the room is not enough. Of course, it never hurts to freshen the air before going to bed, but if the temperature in the bedroom rises again to 22–24 ° C in the dead of night, sleep will be restless, and in the morning a person wakes up completely broken.
Another reason to keep the temperature in the bedroom cooler is good appearance. In a cool environment, our body is better at releasing melatonin during sleep. This substance helps fight aging, smoothes age wrinkles and improves the color and tone of the skin of the face. 
Cool air in the bedroom helps maintain youthful skin
The microclimate of the kitchen is highly dependent on the appliances installed in it and the intensity of their use. The optimum temperature in this room is 19°C, but it is often not necessary to regularly maintain this temperature. 
The temperature in the kitchen can vary greatly depending on the use of various household appliances
The main device that affects the temperature in the kitchen is the stove. A gas burner emits more heat into the air, and therefore in a kitchen equipped with it, it is worth lowering the temperature by 1 degree - the lack of heat is compensated by cooking on fire. The active use of the oven also significantly warms the room.
If households almost never use a stove or oven, preferring an electric double boiler or a slow cooker, on the contrary, it is worth raising the temperature to 20 ° C - such devices emit little heat and do not warm the air in the room. 
The multicooker, beloved by many housewives, has low heat dissipation
The temperature in the bathroom should be at least 23°C, optimally - 25°C. This high rate is due to two simple reasons. Firstly, high humidity at low temperatures creates a feeling of dank cold and unpleasant dampness, and secondly, wet skin feels the temperature is even lower than it really is. 
The bathroom should be maintained more high temperature than in living rooms.
To prevent mold from developing due to the combination of heat and humidity, be sure to ventilate the bathroom after taking a shower or other water activities. Leave the door open for at least half an hour - this prevention is usually enough to prevent the development of fungus on the walls.
Deviations from the norm
Reducing the air temperature in the apartment below the specified norms entails negative consequences:
- Risk of colds. Hypothermia of the body very often causes such unpleasant symptoms as chills, runny nose, sore throat.
- Decrease in humidity. Cold air has less moisture than warm air.
- Constant tension in the body. If our body is not warm enough, it tends to spend energy and warm up. This, accordingly, reduces immunity and energy - constantly spending energy on warming, we leave ourselves little energy for active movements.
If the room is warmer than specified in the norms, this leads to the following consequences:
- Peeling of the skin. In young children, it can also manifest itself in the form of dermatitis. Due to the presence of microcracks, pathogenic bacteria that cause inflammation easily penetrate the skin.
- Drying of the mucosa. Warm air, even well-moistened, does not provide our mucous membranes with sufficient moisture. If you regularly breathe such air, you can dry out the nasopharynx, which will result in a sore throat, vulnerability to pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
- Digestive problems. Warm air also affects the condition of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Without secreting enough mucus, our body cannot maintain proper digestion. Because of this, abdominal pain may appear, and in young children, colic.
- Risk of hypothermia. Oddly enough, the elevated temperature in the apartment can cause hypothermia. In a hot environment, our sweat glands begin to work actively, trying to cool us down. If at this time we go out, for example, to the street, where it is not so warm, then we can easily become overcooled and catch a cold.
What affects the microclimate
Humidity and temperature in a room depend on many factors other than dedicated devices (heaters, fans, air conditioners, and humidifiers). The temperature is significantly affected by the following points:
- Climate and weather outside the window. Of course, in the cold season, the temperature in the home, despite all the measures taken, is on average 2-3 degrees lower than in summer. This seasonal difference is especially pronounced in sunny, hot cities - for example, Krasnodar.
- The population of the apartment. The human body produces a lot of heat - the air we exhale significantly warmer than that what we breathe in. How more people lives in the area, the higher the temperature in the apartment rises. Accordingly, in order to maintain optimum temperature less heating with appliances required.
- Use of electrical appliances. Most of household appliances heat up during use and, of course, heat the air in the room. If you actively use appliances (especially older models), then the temperature in the apartment can rise by a couple of degrees.
- natural lighting. The sun illuminating the room significantly raises the air temperature (especially in summer). If the windows of the room face south, the temperature in it depends on the time of year and day - it is necessary to adjust the heating in time.
- Home textiles. The abundance of carpets, curtains, curtains, pillows, blankets and other textiles slows down air circulation and leads to an increase in the temperature in the room.
Humidity in the room is formed by the following factors:
- Ventilation and ventilation. Good ventilation removes excess moisture accumulated in the room.
- Season. In winter, the outdoor air that we let in together with ventilation is much drier than summer air.
- Houseplants. Green pets that require regular moisture and care make us increase the humidity of the air - spraying, regular watering maintain a high level of humidity.
- Air conditioners and batteries. Such devices for adjusting the temperature greatly dry the air. This becomes especially noticeable during the heating season - the already dry winter air is finally dried by a hot battery.
- Insulation of walls and windows. A sealed room has poor ventilation, which leads to the accumulation of damp condensation and an increase in humidity.
How to measure humidity and temperature
In order to measure the parameters of the microclimate, there are a wide variety of devices: from ordinary mercury thermometers to specially designed household stations with many "smart" functions. However, in order to determine whether the conditions in your home are comfortable for a person, you can also turn to improvised means.
Table: measurement of microclimate parameters
| Parameter | Method | Peculiarities |
| Temperature | It is impossible to measure the temperature with a thermometer on a clear day with open curtains- sunlight will bring down the indicators, increasing them by 1-3 degrees. To get the most accurate indicator, you need to measure three times with five-minute breaks and calculate the arithmetic mean. | |
| Humidity | Hygrometer | A hygrometer is a special device that is installed in a room and, like a thermometer, indicates the current humidity value on the display. Hygrometers can be either digital or analog. It is necessary to choose a device with an error of no more than 1%. |
| A special kind of hygrometer is a psychrometer, which consists of two mercury thermometers with a tank of water connected to one of them. Install the device in the room of interest and measure the temperature. It is necessary to calculate the difference in the readings of two thermometers and compare it with the table that is attached to the psychrometer - it indicates the humidity indicator. | ||
| wet glass | Fill a glass beaker with cold water and refrigerate for several hours to cool it down to 3-5°C. Put a glass of chilled water in the room (away from the heating) and keep an eye on it. The outer part of the glass will be covered with drops and mist. If it dries up after 5–10 minutes, the air is very dry, additional moisture is needed. If drops flow, the air is too humid. If the condensate remains and does not flow for 10 minutes, then the air has optimal humidity. | |
| This method can simulate the action of a psychrometer. Measure the temperature in the room and write it down. Then wrap the thermometer with damp gauze and measure the temperature again in the same room. Calculate the difference in performance and check with the psychrometric table (it is easy to find on the Internet). | ||
| Candle | Close windows and doors and light a candle. If it burns evenly and brightly, then the humidity is optimal. But an uneven, jumping flame with bright patches along the edges indicates a too high moisture content. |
Photo gallery: devices for measuring the microclimate
The well-known thermometer is a necessary and indispensable assistant in microclimate control 
Thermohygrometer - a device that combines the measurement of temperature and humidity; now you can find both analog and digital instrument with different additional features A psychrometer is a difficult instrument to use and therefore rarely found in everyday life A burning candle is an unreliable way to determine the humidity of the air, but in the absence of special instruments it can indicate an excessive amount of steam in the air A misted glass allows you to determine with some accuracy whether the humidity level in the room is optimal
Table: climate control
| Boost | Downgrade | |
| Humidity |
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| Temperature |
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By regulating the temperature and humidity in your home, you can significantly improve your well-being. Inexpensive devices will help control the microclimate in the premises, and improvised means allow you to change it without cost.
Humidity in the apartment is a very important indicator, on the value of which the well-being of residents will depend. Any deviation from the norm, whether it be an increase or decrease, is very noticeable by a person and can lead to a large number of troubles, for example, deterioration in health, discomfort, and more. In order to avoid this, it is simply necessary to know the norm of the amount of moisture in the air in a particular room and at different times of the year.
What is meant by the phrase "air humidity"? In this case, we mean the content of water vapor in the air, because it is constantly present there, regardless of the season and temperature. However, its amount may fluctuate up or down. And it depends on a lot of factors. For example, in winter, heating pipes dry out the air a lot. And if there is a leak somewhere in the house for a sufficiently long time, then this can significantly increase the level of humidity in the rooms.
To see clearly that there is moisture in the air, you can conduct a small and very simple experiment.
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Take a plastic or glass bottle and fill it with water. Place the container in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. After the liquid has cooled, put the bottle on the table and watch what happens next. It will be covered with water droplets, or rather, condensation will form on it.
The consequences of low and high humidity in the apartment
The thing is that if the air in the room contains too much moisture, then this can lead to the appearance and rapid development of fungi, mold, pathogenic microorganisms, as well as various insects. Such a deviation from the norm causes rapid damage to pieces of furniture, and especially antique ones. Yes, and a person does not feel comfortable in such a room. And you can understand that the humidity is increased by looking at the windows in the cold season. A large amount of condensation will accumulate on the glasses.
But if the humidity is less than the prescribed value, then this also does not have the most favorable effect on the vital activity of the human body. The thing is that excessively dry air contains a huge amount of dust and pathogenic microorganisms, and they will be the cause of the development of some fairly serious diseases, in particular, ARVI, upper respiratory tract disease, various forms allergies and so on. And also from a lack of moisture in the air, hair and even human skin can suffer. For example, the hair will become dry, brittle and lose its shine, and the skin will begin to peel off and become very sensitive.
How can you measure indoor humidity
For a long time, people have come up with a large number of ways that can help to understand what kind of humidity is in a particular room. So, the most reliable way to set this value is to measure it with a hygrometer - specially designed for this device. It is very easy to use, and the amount of moisture in the air that it will show will be accurate.
But there are cases when it is simply impossible to use a hygrometer, and it is necessary to know the humidity in the room. Then you can use the methods invented a long time ago.
- way. You will need a glass glass, preferably with smooth transparent walls, ordinary water and a refrigerator. Fill a glass with liquid and place it in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. After that, pull out the container and place it away from heating appliances. Watch him for five minutes. If droplets of moisture appear on outer walls and quickly evaporated, the humidity is low. The condensate remained and began to flow down, this indicates an excess of moisture. Normally, condensate should remain on the walls of the vessel for five minutes.
- way. Take a cone and put it away from the sun and heaters. If it begins to close, there is little moisture in the air; if it opens, there is a lot.
The norm of air humidity in the children's room
It is especially important how much moisture is contained in the air of the room in which the child lives, and especially if it is a baby. Most people seriously think about such indicators as air humidity only after they have a small child.
The norm is considered 50-60 percent. Pediatricians advise maintaining the moisture level for babies within these limits. The thing is that due to the presence of a large amount of dust in the dry air, the child may begin to snot. And he can develop much more serious diseases. You can often observe a situation where it seems to be always warm in the children's room, there are no drafts, and the baby constantly has snot, which greatly complicates his life, since not only breathing is difficult, but also the process of eating or drinking.
However, an excess of moisture in the air will not have the best effect on the well-being of the baby. Due to the presence in the air of a large number of spores of moldy fungi and due to a violation of heat transfer. That is why it is very important in this room to maintain the level of humidity in the norm. The best way out is to purchase a humidifier or make it yourself. And if necessary, you should buy a desiccant.
The level of air humidity in living rooms
In such rooms as a bedroom, kitchen, living room, it is also very important to maintain the humidity of the air within the normal range, which is 40-60%. If the living rooms will normal humidity air, it will most favorably affect the health and life of a person. As well as furniture, household appliances, a computer, a TV will last much longer in this case than, for example, with high humidity in the room.
By the way, for many pets it is also very important that this indicator is within the normal range, and a deviation from it does not have the best effect on their well-being.
However, it is often observed in the kitchen high humidity. This is due to the fact that a lot of moisture evaporates during cooking. As well as washing dishes, frequent wet cleaning is also the cause of an increase in humidity. However, there is a way out of this situation. The most effective will be the installation of a hood and frequent ventilation. kitchen area. It is also recommended to ensure that there are no water leaks anywhere.
What humidity should be in the bathroom
The level of moisture content in the bathroom is also very important. Indeed, in this room it is often excessively high. And as mentioned above, excessively high air humidity can lead to the formation of mold on the walls. And also in a warm and humid environment, various insects, such as wood lice, centipedes and even mosquitoes, just feel great.
The rate of moisture content in the air in this room will be slightly higher than in other rooms. 45-70% - this is exactly what the humidity in the bathroom should be. To achieve this, it is necessary to think over the ventilation system or install hoods during the repair. It is also just great if the bathroom has a small window with a window for ventilation. But if there is none, then you should often open the door to this room and ensure that floors and walls are always dry. And also in a timely manner to eliminate leaks, if any.
If you properly care for the bathroom, then it will even be possible to stick wallpaper on the walls, and generally forget about mold and wood lice. If all else fails and the humidity is still above normal, then purchase a desiccant. It will definitely help you get rid of this problem.
The norm of indoor air humidity in winter
In winter, as a rule, most often indoor air humidity is slightly below average, about 40-45%, which is the norm. This is due to the fact that in winter the rooms are ventilated much less frequently, and the popular ones today plastic windows are the cause of the violation natural ventilation. Radiators and additional heaters dry out the air very quickly.
Due to the above reasons, the moisture content in the air can become catastrophically low. However, to prevent this, a number of measures must be taken. The most reliable will be to purchase a humidifier in the store, but this pleasure is not cheap. You will come to the rescue: regular airing, drying clothes in the room, growing special houseplants. You can also arrange containers with a wide neck in the rooms, which should be filled with a simple clean water, but it will need to be replaced regularly once every 2 days. If you need to raise the moisture level very quickly, you can hang it on hot battery heating wet thick towel. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise instead of a lack of moisture in the air, you will have an overabundance of it.
What should be the humidity in the apartment in summer
As a rule, during the hot summer months, the moisture content in the air in the rooms increases. The norm is considered to be 40–65%, but often this figure is much higher in many residential premises. And this can have a very bad effect on a person’s well-being, because due to the high concentration of moisture in the air, heat transfer is disturbed. Imagine this picture: it's hot outside, all the windows are closed, something is being cooked on the stove, things are drying. A person is exhausted from stuffiness, and even a cool shower can only slightly alleviate suffering.
In order to avoid an increase in the amount of moisture in the air in the room, you just need to regularly ventilate the rooms, and it is best to keep the window open throughout the day. Also, the situation can be corrected by installing hoods in the kitchen and in the bathroom. And you should, if possible, hang wet clothes outside or on the balcony.
Ideal indoor humidity
Of course, very few people can boast of ideal indicators of humidity in an apartment. However, this is always worth striving for, especially if small children, elderly or sick people who have weakened immunity live in the apartment. In this case, the acquisition of a hygrometer and constant maintenance required amount moisture in the air is simply necessary.
Such an indicator as air humidity is very important and therefore should not be ignored. And by providing a normal concentration of moisture, you thereby make people live in this room more than comfortable, increase the service life of furniture and household appliances. And your beloved pets will feel just wonderful. So the forces applied to raise or, conversely, reduce the concentration of moisture in the air will not be wasted.
The level of humidity in the house affects the formation of an optimal microclimate, therefore, in recent years, much attention has been paid to this issue. Despite the relevance of humidity in a residential area, few people are familiar with the indicators of this value, but most people know for sure that our health is related to the level of humidity.
For this reason, it is necessary to know exact units of humidity level so as not to harm your health and the whole family. It is necessary to strive for optimal indicators, but how to achieve this, this question will be of interest to many.
The norm of humidity in the apartment
Using a device such as a hygrometer, you can measure the level of humidity in any apartment. It is easy to use the device, it immediately shows the humidity as a percentage. The most acceptable for the body will be indicators of 40-60%, and it is better if even below 60%. Studies show recent years in some residential premises, the humidity level does not exceed 5%, which is a catastrophic figure for human habitation.
It is believed that in every room must have indicators depending on its purpose.
- Living room / dining room - 40-60%
- Bedroom for adults – 40-50%
- Room for children - 45-60%
- Study / library - 30-40%
- Bathroom / kitchen - 40-60%
There are other ways by which you can determine the level of humidity in an enclosed space.
Thermometer and Assmann psychometric table. To do this, pick up a thermometer and take readings. Wrap the place in the thermometer where the mercury is located in a damp cloth and hold for 5 minutes. After that, you can check the readings, having the Assmann table, you need to find the point of intersection of the dry and wet thermometer readings and the figure found will serve as a determination of the humidity level.
For the next method, you will need a glass of water, it must be cold, it must be put in the refrigerator and left there for about 3 hours, let the water temperature drop to 3-4 ° C. Next, the glass must be placed in a remote place from the battery and watch the glass of the glass . When condensation appears on the walls of the glass and lasts only 5 minutes, it means that the room is very dry. If the walls of the machine remain wet for more than 5 minutes, then this indicates an average humidity, and in the case when trickles of water flow down the walls of the glass, this means that there is excess moisture in the apartment.
Can take a fir cone and put away heater and watch her. If there is excess moisture in the room, then the scales will begin to cuddle, in a dry house, the scales, on the contrary, will open.
By using simple ways it will not be possible to accurately determine the level of humidity, but the overall picture will become clear, there is excess moisture in the house or it is too dry.
What can bad humidity indicators lead to?
Our well-being directly depends on the level of humidity in the house. When the air in the room is too dry, this leads to the drying of the mucous membrane in the nose, throat, eyes, which contributes to rapid fatigue, reduced immunity, negatively affects the condition of the skin.
If there is excess moisture in the house, then this also has a bad effect on human health, often leading to diseases such as asthma or allergies, rhinitis. Children react acutely to poor humidity levels, more acutely than adults.
In addition to people, the room itself also suffers, usually on its walls. mold, fungus, it becomes clearly visible in the corners, there is practically no air movement. Excess moisture or dryness spoils pieces of furniture, floor coverings. Humidity spoils many foodstuffs.
How to achieve the desired humidity level
The average humidity level is 45%, this indicator is the most optimal. Its level in the room is influenced by the weather outside the window, especially it becomes noticeable in the winter season, when the heating season begins. At this time of the year you can use humidifier, which will give a positive result if chosen correctly and then used. They are of three types:
- Traditional
- Steam
- ultrasonic
All models of humidifiers work on water, which evaporates during operation of the device.
- Indoor flowers can also solve the problem of dry air, they always have a positive effect on indoor air if you increase their number.
What is the humidity level in a residential area?
By flowers, you can understand what level of humidity, when dry, the flowers dry out, their leaves wrinkle.
- An aquarium with fish will also have a beneficial effect on the microclimate in the room, moistening the air.
- Ventilation of rooms is mandatory, but in the cold season, cold air, penetrating into the apartment, reduces excess moisture. It is best to open the window for 5-7 minutes so that the air has time to renew itself without significant heat loss.
- A large number of household appliances also have a negative effect on air humidity, especially when they are turned on. In this case, you need to ventilate the rooms more and do it more often. wet cleaning in room.
What to do with excess moisture
In order to determine the humidity in the apartment, you need to buy a hygrometer, it is inexpensive and is sold in many hardware stores. Excess moisture also needs to be dealt with, as well as dry air. If the hygrometer shows a high level, you can take the following measures.
Conclusion
Quality indoor air always has a positive effect on our health, so you need to know the level of humidity in your home. Provide optimal level can different ways, often this has to be done by force, creating a comfortable atmosphere, which is the key to the well-being of the whole family.
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Topic 2. Fundamentals of labor physiology and comfortable living conditions
1. What science studies a person in the process of labor activity?
c) ergonomics;
2. The characteristic of the labor process, which mainly reflects the load on the musculoskeletal system and functional systems of the body, is called:
b) hard work.
4. Working conditions that contribute to the health of workers and high level performance refers to:
a) 1st class;
5. Working conditions according to the intensity of the labor process with long-term focused observation for 25% of
The 7-hour working day is characterized as:
a) optimal;
6. How does working capacity change during the day?
c) first there is a working-in phase, then a stable working capacity phase, after which the working capacity decreases.
7. What is meant by microclimatic conditions?
d) combination of temperature, relative humidity and air velocity
8. Optimum relative humidity according to sanitary standards is:
b) 40 - 60%;
9. In what units is illumination measured?
a) Lux (Lk);
10. What color tones have a calming effect on the human nervous system?
b) cold (blue, green);
Topic 3. Negative factors in the system "man - environment"
1. Negative factors caused by human activity and the products of his labor are called:
a) natural;
2. What types of pollution are electromagnetic fields?
c) physical;
3. Probability of realization negative impact more than 10 -3 refers to the area:
a) unacceptable risk;
4. The absolute indicators of the negativity of the technosphere include:
c) shortening of life expectancy;
5. To the physical group negative factors production environment include:
b) vibration and noise;
Topic 4.
The impact of negative factors on a person
And habitat, their rationing
1. What are the names of receptors that perceive changes in the external environment?
a) exteroceptors;
2. What are the names of reflexes that form over time on the basis of acquired experience with prolonged exposure to a stimulus?
b) conditional.
3. To what taste are the taste buds able to adapt?
a) sweet
4. What is the name of the body's ability to respond to various stimuli by changes in metabolism and functions?
c) reactivity.
Harmful substances
1. What kind of poisoning can develop with prolonged exposure of the human body to low concentrations of harmful substances?
b) chronic.
2. What class according to the degree of potential danger to the body does chlorine belong to?
b) class 2 - highly hazardous substances;
3. What are the names of substances that lead to the development of allergic diseases?
c) sensitizing;
4. Substances that affect reproductive function cause:
b) congenital malformations;
5. What are the symptoms of the general toxic effect of harmful chemicals?
a) disorder of the nervous system, convulsions, paralysis;
6. What is the most dangerous way for harmful substances to enter the human body?
c) through the respiratory system.
7. What is the name of the simultaneous or sequential action of several harmful substances on the human body with the same route of entry?
a) combined;
8. What is the main source of anthropogenic air pollution?
a) vehicles;
9. The general sanitary indicator MPC characterizes:
a) the absence of the influence of a harmful substance on the self-cleaning ability of the soil;
Vibrations and habitat
1. What mode of transport is the most significant source of vibration in cities?
c) rail transport.
2. The resonant frequency of the eyeballs is:
c) 60 - 90 Hz.
3. What is the name of the vibration transmitted through the supporting surfaces to the entire human body?
a) general;
4. What form of vibration disease do drivers suffer from?
b) general.
5. What form of vibration disease occurs when hands are exposed to vibration?
a) local;
6. What type of vibration regulation establishes the permissible values of vibration characteristics for certain groups of machines and serves as a criterion for the quality and safety of the machines themselves?
a) technical regulation;
Noise and habitat
7. The biggest contribution to the overall background noise is made by:
c) traffic.
8. What is the unit of measurement of the frequency of sound vibrations:
a) Hz;
9. In what units is noise intensity measured?
a) W/m2
b) dB;
c) Pa.
10. The tone of the sound is determined by:
d) the frequency of sound vibrations.
Comfortable air humidity in the apartment: methods of increasing and decreasing
11. In what frequency range is sound audible?
b) 16 - 20000 Hz;
12. Noises with sound intensity are considered unacceptable:
c) from 120 to 170 dB.
13. At what level of noise in the workplace can occupational hearing loss occur?
c) over 75 dB;
14. What is the source of infrasound in nature?
a) earthquakes
15. What are sound vibrations with a frequency above 20 kHz called?
a) ultrasound;
Electromagnetic fields and radiation
1. Does visible light belong to electromagnetic radiation?
a) yes;
2. What is the unit of electric field strength?
a) V / m;
3. What is the name of the zone in which the intensity of electric and magnetic fields are normalized independently of each other?
b) induction zone;
4. In which zone electromagnetic field Is the energy component of the EMF (flux density) acting on a person?
c) in the far zone.
5. What type of radiation are radio waves?
b) to non-ionizing radiation.
6. What frequency range of EMF is characterized by the maximum absorption of energy by superficial tissues?
d) 10 GHz to 200 GHz.
7. With increasing wavelength, the penetration depth of electromagnetic waves:
a) is increasing
8. What is the maximum permissible value of the EP tension, according to sanitary standards, established for residential buildings?
a) 0.5 kV/m;
9. At what values of ESP at the workplace is the time spent in it not regulated?
c) less than 20 kV/m.
10. What is the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn?
b) 315 - 280 nm;
1. What is the name of the danger associated with a source of ionizing radiation?
b) radiation;
2. In what mode of operation should radiation safety (as a component of general safety precautions) ensure safe conditions life and work of staff and population?
c) in both normal and emergency.
3. What type of radiation refers to photon radiation?
a) y-radiation;
4. What type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
b) y-radiation;
At what type of irradiation do α-particles pose the greatest danger?
b) with internal.
6. The unit of measurement of radioactivity in the SI system is:
a) becquerel (Bq);
7. The unit of absorbed dose in the SI system is:
a) gray (Gy);
8. What concept is used to define biological effects various kinds radiation on the human body?
b) equivalent dose;
Electricity
1. What kind of impact electric current include electrical burns?
d) thermal.
2. What type of electrical injury is the appearance on the skin of clearly defined gray or pale yellow spots of a round or oval shape?
b) to electric signs;
3. The threshold non-letting current is considered to be an alternating current with a force:
b) 20 - 25 mA;
4. What voltage is considered safe for portable lamps and tools?
c) 36 V.
5. The most dangerous way (loop) of electric shock is:
c) loop "head - legs".
6. The least dangerous way for the passage of electric current through the human body is the loop:
a) "leg - leg";
7. What is the name of the electrical connection metal parts electrical device with a grounded power supply point using a neutral protective conductor?
b) protective zeroing;
8. What is the danger of static electricity in the workplace?
a) in an increase in fire and explosion hazard;
9. For alternating current 50 Hz allowable value of the touch voltage is.
The microclimate of residential buildings is the basis of well-being. However, few people observe the norm of air humidity in the apartment, because everyone is used to paying attention only to the temperature in the room. But high humidity in the house can not only disrupt comfort, but also greatly undermine the health of all the people living in it. It is required to figure out what air humidity is considered normal, as well as how to increase this indicator or reduce it if necessary.
For residential premises, humidity standards are set from 40 to 60%.
Depending on the climate and time of year, air humidity may also fluctuate. In winter, they will always be less than in summer, because the operation of the heating system can significantly reduce the amount of moisture in the surrounding atmosphere.
It is especially important to know what should be the humidity in the children's room. Often, parents do not even realize that the cause of frequent colds in a child can be precisely the excessively humid air in the house. A recognized specialist in children's health, Dr. Komarovsky, advises adjusting the norms for the amount of moisture in the air in rooms for children within 60%. If the child is already sick with a respiratory illness, then it is necessary to increase the humidity in the nursery to 70-80%. You can measure this indicator using a hygrometer; this inexpensive device for measuring air humidity in an apartment is sold in hardware stores.
Dr. Komarovsky, advises to regulate the amount of moisture in the air in the rooms for children within 60% - this is the optimal humidity in the house.
If you do not yet have specialized instruments for measuring indoor air humidity, you can measure air humidity using this simple experiment. Pour water into an ordinary glass beaker and cool it down to +3…+4°C in the refrigerator. Then take out the container and leave it at room temperature. There are 3 options here:
- The outer walls of the glass were fogged up, but dried up after 5 minutes. This indicates the dryness of the air, which means that it is necessary to increase the humidity in the room.
- If after 5 minutes the walls are still wet, then the relative humidity in the room does not need to be changed, the humidity in the house is normal.
- If the glass is not just wet, but streams run along it, then the humidity is significantly exceeded.
Or alternative:
Increased air humidity
Exceeding the level of humidity in the room can be determined by the following signs:
- the presence of mold and fungi in the house;
- unpleasant musty smell;
- the washed linen dries out within a few days;
- swelling wooden doors, which begin to close with difficulty;
- condensation on window panes;
- feeling of constantly sticky skin;
- dampness in the basement;
- curtains and other textiles are always slightly damp.
If you find signs of excessive air humidity in your apartment, you must urgently take measures to eliminate it. Such living conditions pose a huge health hazard. Mold and fungus spores can get into food and provoke allergies or even poisoning. High humidity in the house weakens the body's resistance to infections, causes diseases of the organs respiratory system up to asthma.
How to reduce the humidity in the room to normal? You can use several methods for this:
High humidity in the room makes it unsuitable for comfortable living. Now you know reliable ways to increase the humidity in the apartment. However, the opposite situation, when the air in the apartment is too dry, also creates a lot of problems for a person.
Low air humidity
Low humidity in a residential area has a very negative effect on human health. People living in such conditions have dry skin and brittle hair. They are constantly ill with a runny nose, and their eyes often itch and tire quickly. Reduced air humidity in the apartment provokes a greater accumulation of dust, which can cause an allergic reaction. In addition, bed bugs, which are carriers of infections, feel great in a dry, dusty room.
How to increase the humidity in the apartment? The most popular methods are:
- Install a household humidifier.
- Ventilate the room more often, especially in winter, when the air is dried up by heating appliances.
- Dilute houseplants and water them well.
- The humidity in the room can be easily increased by using the installation indoor fountain or aquarium.
- Reduce the frequency of use of heaters. Cover the heating radiators with a wet cloth, moisten it as needed.
The low level of humidity in the apartment, among other things, requires changes in the drinking regime of a person. How to reduce the risk of diseases? To maintain normal health, water should be consumed in an amount of 2 liters per day.
Energy depends on the humidity in the apartment. Therefore, if the atmosphere of the room is not what it should be in accordance with the norms, urgent measures must be taken to eliminate this problem. Comfortable air humidity is achieved using all of the above methods, but the most effective of them is the installation of a household humidifier.
Varieties of humidifiers
There are many types of humidifiers on the market that differ in how they work. All of them are able to perfectly increase the indicator of moisture in the air, so the choice depends on personal preferences and financial opportunities person. It is required to consider the main varieties, among them:
- Steam humidifier. This device works on the principle of evaporation of water when heated. Such models can rightly be considered one of the most effective. With a capacity of up to 700 g of evaporating liquid per hour, they are able to increase the humidity at home up to 60%. An additional advantage of such devices is their versatility, they can be used for inhalation and aromatization of the room. They will be indispensable for greenhouses and conservatories, because plants require a higher rate, which exceeds the norm of humidity in the apartment by 30-40%. Such a microclimate can only be achieved using a device with good performance.
- ultrasonic humidifier. Represents innovative technologies in the field of air purification and humidification. By generating high-frequency vibrations, this device creates a cloud consisting of water dust. The fan sucks in air from the apartment, passes it through this cloud and gives out instead of it a moist and cool fog. Such a device not only maintains optimal humidity in the room, but also cleans the air from pathogenic bacteria. For humans, the humidifier is absolutely safe: unlike the steam model, it is impossible for them to even get burned. Among the shortcomings of the device, only a considerable cost can be distinguished, but it is fully justified by its high performance, low power consumption and compact dimensions.
- Classic Humidifier. It works on the principle of cold evaporation. Water is poured into a special tank in the device, from where it is already supplied to the evaporation elements. Dry air is drawn into the unit and passed through the evaporator by the fan, as a result of which the humidity in the room reaches the norm. Such units are the safest and have a reduced noise level, so they are most often recommended for installation in children's rooms. The device can not only increase the level of humidity to normal, but also reduce the amount of dust in the room. And clean and humidified air in the nursery is the key to high immunity of the child.
- Air wash. These devices combine the functions of an air purifier and a humidifier. With the help of a system of plastic discs, water is lifted from the tank and converted into water bath. Thus, normal humidity is maintained, the air is cleaned of dust and pathogenic bacteria. The main advantage of the device is its antibacterial protective system; many models are equipped with an ionizing silver rod, which effectively disinfects the room space. Thanks to this, it is always easy to breathe in the apartment, as if it had just rained.
- Climate complex. It also has the functions of both a humidifier and a purifier. Moreover, in terms of air purification, this device surpasses all of the above devices. The climate complex is simply necessary for people suffering from allergies. In addition, it perfectly relieves the room from tobacco smoke and others unpleasant odors. Devices, as a rule, have built-in hygrometers that allow you to calculate by what percentage it is necessary to increase the level of humidity in the apartment. The disadvantage of the device is only a fairly large size of the case.
In principle, any of the described devices perfectly copes with the function of humidifying the air. Now that you know what the humidity should be in your living space, you can estimate the dryness level of the air in your apartment. The choice will depend on how much Money you are willing to spend on the appliance. Don't skimp on your health. Once having invested in ensuring a normal microclimate in the apartment, you get for many years best degree humidity and health level for yourself and your loved ones.
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