The norm of air humidity in a living room, apartment for a person, a child. What is normal, how does it affect health

The level of air humidity is a particularly important indicator that regulates a comfortable microclimate in a living room. Since excessive dryness or humidity can affect not only the physiological, but also the psycho-emotional state person, care should be taken to keep the parameter normal, especially if there are children in the house.

How is humidity measured?

Under the definition of moisture, the laws of molecular physics imply the presence of special particles of water vapor in the environment. A moisture level of 100% provokes condensation on any type of surface. With this indicator, precipitation falls on the street.

The rate of air humidity in a residential area is strikingly different from the street indicator. So, in an apartment, it is more stable in contrast to the environment, where the seasons of the year change.

The ideal moisture level in a living space is the indicator at which a person feels most comfortable. For measurement, the term relative humidity is used, which is denoted RH.

The basic unit of measurement is grams per cubic meter g / m3. The measured hygrometers indicate the standard humidity level as a percentage. In some cases, a rating scale may be used.

Indoor humidity measuring devices

The relative indicator of air humidity is measured using a specialized hygrometer device. Based on the functional features, it is divided into mechanical and electronic.

Despite the fact that the mechanical version of the device is a simpler and more economical option, they may differ in a measurement error of 8%. The main advantage of this type is that the device operates without a main power source, and is also supplied in a small case. Equipped with a hand and a dial with humidity values.

The electronic form of the hygrometer is characterized by the presence of an internal thermometer for the simultaneous measurement of not only humidity, but also the temperature in the room. It has a plate, on the upper side of which a special electrolyte is applied, which conducts voltage. Supplied with an indicator display that shows the measurement results.

The most effective type of meter is considered to be a psychometric hygrometer, which works on the basis of the principle of interaction of 2 separate thermometers - wet and dry. The percentage or quantity of humidity displayed on the outer scale is checked against the table, after which a calculation is made about the air quality in the room.

The psychometric hygrometer has aspiration, remote and stationary action. The most popular type is the latter, which gives the most accurate reading.

In addition to the psychometric variety, the following mechanical device types can be used in practice:

Variety	Description
Absolute or weight	It is a device based on the determination of moisture by means of its absorbent characteristics. The measurement is carried out using special inner tubes that contain the active chemical. At home, this variety is practically not used.
Hair	This type is based on a percentage designation scale, an arrow and a spring. Revealing moisture occurs through the study of synthetic hair. So, during the process of oscillation in air, the tension force gradually changes, which contributes to the operation of the spring with further display of the data on the scale. Indicates a value between 30% and 80%.
Film	It is characterized by the presence of a sensitive film fabric and a counterweight that are able to respond to changes in the level of humidity or dryness in the room. The indicator is displayed on a general scale, as in the case of the hair type. It is often used during the winter season.

In order to determine the level of humidity at home, an inexpensive mechanical hygrometer will suffice. However, it is best to use the electrical version as it gives the most accurate measurement.

In addition to standard instruments, you can use the folk method of measuring humidity. To do this, pour water into a glass, then cool it to a temperature of + 3 ° C to + 5 ° C using the refrigerator. Then the glass is taken to the measured room as far as possible from the heating devices and left for 10-15 minutes.

Dryness of the inner or outer walls of the glass indicates insufficient humidity in the living area. If condensation is observed on it, then the level of moisture in the air is normal. However, if drips are present, the humidity is quite high.

Air humidity indicators according to GOST

The norm of air humidity in a residential area is calculated based on sanitary and epidemiological indicators.

The recommended level in accordance with GOST 30494-96 depends on the specific time of the year:

• winter: from 30 to 40%
• autumn, spring: from 35 to 45%
• summer: from 35 to 60%

If the average indicator for a child under 6 years old is from 50 to 60%, then for an adult it is from 40% to 60%. This level is an average and does not take into account the presence of chronic or acute diseases, in particular asthma and allergic reactions.

Based on the more detailed recommendation of SanPiN from 2.1.2.2645-10, the relative humidity in the dwelling is determined taking into account the increased values, which is 60% in winter and 65% in summer.

Such statistics from SanPiN do not take into account the presence of a short-term or permanent stay in an apartment room, therefore the indicator is purely subjective for each person. It is best to pay attention to the symptomatic manifestations and characteristics of the body.

In addition to the main indicator, air humidity is formed based on the purpose of the living space:

• 65-70% for bathrooms characterized by wall, floor and ceiling finishes with materials that are resistant to water.
• 40-60% for storage rooms, corridors and kitchens. In the latter case, it takes into account the frequency of cooking or the number of appliances available that can increase or decrease the humidity.
• 60-70% for a room containing typical plants and 85-95% for subtropical and tropical flowers. Since the latter value is quite difficult to achieve, and even such an indicator will harm health, plants from the tropics are best taken out to the balcony or create separate greenhouse conditions.

A balcony or loggia does not take into account the humidity indicator, since most often this type of room is non-residential. When converting them, it is worth starting from the above characteristics, as well as based on the method of application.

The rate of humidity in a dwelling often depends on numerous factors, which include the amount people living at the same time, the use of certain materials to decorate the room, as well as based on the frequent stay.

In order to increase the operation of household appliances or to preserve furniture, books and other elements, the humidity level should be normalized to 60-65%.

Air humidity in the apartment for the child

Since the child's body is still an immature and fragile system, it is especially often exposed to infectious and bacterial diseases, due to which it is important to maintain the normative indicator of humidity in children's room. This will strengthen the immune system and avoid unpleasant consequences.

When the air is dry, the mucous membranes in the throat and nose of the child are characterized by a decrease in the ability to defend against pathogenic pathogens. Also, due to high dryness, eyes can hurt and redden, and skin diseases can appear.

Taking into account the age of the child, the parent determines the normative degree of humidity in the child's room and the apartment as a whole. For babies, 50 to 70% is best. Children aged 1 to 3 years - from 45 to 65%, over 3 years old - 55-60%, which is practically equal to the indicator for an adult.

It should be borne in mind that for a child's body there is no particular distinction in the humidity of the environment, based on the season. It is important that the total temperature indicator does not exceed 23.5-24 ° C. It is most effective to keep the temperature around 22 ° C.

Consequences of dry air in an apartment

With the onset of the cold season, the heating is turned on in apartment buildings, which leads to a significant overdrying of the air, therefore, to a decrease in humidity.

Due to this, the human body can lose physiological resistance. So, mucous tissues cease to protect the immune system from viral and bacterial threats, which leads to their gradual thinning.

Also, due to the increase in static electricity, they spread much faster in the apartment. various microorganisms and germs, including dust mites, which can cause serious allergic reaction.

Negative consequences for human life due to the presence of dry air:

• Loss of elasticity and fragility of hair, the skin is characterized by increased dryness. As a result, there are often numerous wrinkles and cracks in the skin. Chronic dermatitis and allergic reactions may also worsen. In addition, dangerous dermatological diseases develop, which are characterized by redness and rash.
• A persistent dry eye sensation characterized by symptoms that may indicate a perceived sensation of sand or foreign bodies on the retina. Due to this, dry eye syndrome is often formed, a slight decrease in vision is possible due to an increased load on the eye apparatus.
• Slowing down the function of the digestive system. It occurs due to an increase in the viscosity of gastric or intestinal juice. It can lead to various diseases or pathological processes, including diarrhea and gastritis.
• Active multiplication of respiratory allergens in an environment with low humidity. Special attention should be paid to those people who suffer from seasonal manifestations of allergies or asthma.
• Headaches, general weakness of the body, nausea and dizziness. It occurs due to increased blood density and disturbances in its circulation. This consequence often has a negative impact on the work of the entire cardiovascular system.
• Increased risk of getting a respiratory or bacterial infection. Due to overdried mucous membranes, a person's protective function becomes thinner, which leads to infectious infections. Painful sensations in the throat, lungs, and nosebleeds are common.

In addition to the human body, plants and animals that are in the apartment often suffer. At the same time, the service life of furniture, which contains natural wood, is significantly reduced.

Consequences of excessive humidity in a living room

Air humidity above normal has a number of negative consequences for the entire human body. In this case, the indicator for residential premises is 65% in the summer and 60% for the heating season.

If the basic recommendations are not followed, the risk of the occurrence of dangerous bacteria or fungal elements increases.

The main consequences in the event of excess moisture include:

• Pathological processes of the human respiratory system, which can flow into the chronic course of the disease, thereby causing various complications for the body. Asthma often develops, headaches and nausea are observed. At the same time, for the asthmatics themselves, excessively humid air also has a negative effect, provoking constant exacerbations.
• The presence of unpleasant odors due to the formation of dampness. In this case, there is a significant loss of freshness, subjective observations indicate the presence of stuffiness.
• Increased value of heat transfer. In the presence of warm weather in summer, a high temperature index is felt much worse due to moist particles in the air. As a result, heatstroke of the body can develop.

As in the case of dry air, high humidity has a negative impact not only on humans, but also on animals. In addition, plants begin to die faster due to the decay process, and wooden furniture begins to deform, and numerous cracks are observed.

In case of high humidity, the clothes in the closet often have an unpleasant odor. Also, the washed laundry takes much longer to dry. If there is frequent condensation on the windows, we can talk about high humidity in the apartment.

The lack of a comfortable microclimate in a living space indirectly affects a person, pets, plants, as well as furniture or interior decoration of the room. In order to bring the indicator back to normal, you should know how to correctly and with the help of what you need to measure the humidity of the air.

Air humidity video

Three ways to determine the humidity in the room: