Most people are familiar with the discomfort that high indoor humidity can cause. However, did you know that high humidity can be much more than a discomfort? The reality is that high humidity results in many negative outcomes, including a few specific health risks.
Ultimately, high indoor humidity is bad for your health, but you should have a clear idea of why that’s the case. Once you’re finished reading here, you’ll have a full understanding of why you should attempt to keep indoor humidity at an ideal level at all times.
Why High Indoor Humidity is a Health Risk
High indoor humidity leads to a few health risks that all of us should seek to avoid. The sections below describe the top four most common of those risks so that you can understand why high humidity is far more than a simple nuisance.
High Humidity Makes for Difficult Breathing
The first and perhaps most prominent of the health risks that high humidity causes is poor air quality. As soon as the relative humidity in an enclosed area rises above 50 to 60%, the air quality will begin to suffer.
The poor air quality that high humidity causes is especially damaging to those with preexisting respiratory conditions. But with that said, poor indoor air quality can make it difficult to breathe for any person whether they have a preexisting complication or not.
High Humidity Encourages Mold, Mildew, and Mites
High humidity levels also lead to a proliferation of multiple unwanted substances. Mainly, moisture encourages the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus and can increase the number of dust mites in the air as well.
Mold and mildew are unsightly and simultaneously reduce your air quality, making for an indoor space that is not only unpleasant but unsafe as well. Along with health risks, mold and mildew can also pose a threat to materials like concrete.
High Humidity Can Cause Dehydration
Most people know that high temperatures can lead to dehydration. However, what some don’t know is that humidity, in addition to high temperatures, can make dehydration even worse. The reason high humidity worsens dehydration is that it causes your body to sweat even more than usual.
Additionally, humidity can cause sweat to linger on your skin longer than it normally would, which makes it even more difficult for your body to cool down efficiently. This factor stimulates even more sweat production, leading to worsening dehydration. Once dehydration sets in, it can lead to a wide range of related health complications.
High Humidity Exacerbates Certain Respiratory Conditions
Our final point related to the health risks of high humidity is that excessive moisture is especially dangerous to those who already suffer from respiratory conditions. Earlier, we noted that humidity causes poor air quality that can affect anyone. However, those with asthma, allergies, and similar conditions are most likely to suffer in humid settings.
Those with respiratory complications will likely experience coughing, sneezing, itchy throat, and other unwanted symptoms when they are in an excessively moist indoor location. As such, if you want your indoor spaces to be safe and welcoming to all, controlling humidity is a must.
How Much Indoor Humidity is Too Much?
You now know the ways that high indoor humidity can negatively impact your health. However, you’re likely wondering how much humidity is too much for an indoor space.
Ideally, you should keep the relative humidity in your indoor living spaces below 50%. Once the humidity reaches 50%, you can expect mold, mildew, and dust mites to appear, along with the other health risks we mentioned previously.
Can Humidity Be Too Low?
While the focus of this article is on the dangers of high humidity, it’s important to note that you should not allow humidity to get too low either. Similar to excessively moist conditions, excessively dry air can also lead to problems.
Rather than focusing on keeping humidity as low as possible, aim for an ideal humidity range. Generally, relative humidity in indoor spaces should be between 30 and 50%.
Are Some Indoor Spaces More Likely to Be Humid Than Others?
Clearly, humidity can be an issue for any indoor space. However, some spaces are more likely to experience humidity problems than others. Mainly, areas that are naturally moist or lack ventilation are most likely to experience high relative humidity levels.
How to Control Indoor Humidity
Before we conclude, let’s consider the actions you can take to ensure that the relative humidity in your indoor spaces remains neither too high nor too low. The best approach you can take to achieve the ideal relative humidity is to set up a high-quality dehumidification system.
Dehumidifiers work by pulling moisture out of the air, reducing the overall humidity levels. A state-of-the-art dehumidification system will allow you to monitor and manage the relative humidity in your indoor areas.
When a dehumidification system is in place, you stand an excellent chance of avoiding the high-humidity health risks we outlined above. These systems can essentially eliminate mold and mildew problems, maintain an ideal moisture level, and ensure that the air in your living spaces is clean and safe to breathe.
Care for Your Health By Keeping Humidity Under Control
If you have struggled with high humidity in your business or industrial spaces, it’s vital that you take action to control the relative humidity level. After all, high humidity leads to multiple health risks that you should seek to avoid as much as possible.
At Bry-Air, we have a proven history of providing the perfect industrial dehumidification solutions in a wide range of industries. Thanks to our experience, we’re sure that we can find the dehumidification system that works best for your space.
Don’t let high humidity compromise your health and comfort any longer. Take control of your indoor environment today! Contact Bry-Air now to discover how our expert dehumidification solutions can transform your working spaces into healthier, more comfortable environments. Your well-being is our priority – let’s work together to create the ideal indoor atmosphere you deserve.
FAQs
What is the ideal indoor humidity level?
The ideal indoor relative humidity level is between 30% and 50%. This range helps prevent mold growth and maintains optimal air quality.
Can high humidity cause allergies?
High humidity doesn’t directly cause allergies, but it can worsen existing allergies by promoting the growth of allergens like mold, dust mites, and bacteria.
How can I measure indoor humidity?
You can measure indoor humidity using a hygrometer, which is an inexpensive device available at most hardware stores or online retailers.
Does air conditioning reduce humidity?
Yes, air conditioning systems do reduce humidity to some extent as they cool the air. However, for more effective humidity control, a dedicated dehumidifier is often necessary.
