Abstract
The impact of dry indoor air on comfort and health in winter was investigated in a crossover intervention study in two floors of an office building in northern Sweden. The indoor air humidity (normally 10-20% RH) was raised to 23-24% RH, one floor at a time, using steam humidifiers. Questionnaires and objective (clinical) measurements were applied. The following effects of increased humidity were significant, though small: the air was evaluated as less dry (though still on the dry side of neutral), eyes smarted less (by 10% of full scale) eye irritation decreased (by 11%), symptoms of dry throat, mouth, lips and skin were reduced, and it was easier to concentrate. The results confirm similar laboratory findings in 5-hour exposures (Fang et al. 2003, reported at this conference) to 2-week field exposures, but as the effects observed were again small, they do not provide sufficient justification for installing humidifiers.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Proceedings of Healthy Buildings 2003 |
| Place of Publication | National University of Singapore |
| Publisher | Stallion Press |
| Publication date | 2003 |
| Pages | 163-168 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |
| Event | 7th International Conference on Healthy Buildings 2003 - Singapore, Singapore Duration: 7 Dec 2003 → 11 Dec 2003 Conference number: 7 http://hb2003.nus.edu.sg/ |
Conference
| Conference | 7th International Conference on Healthy Buildings 2003 |
|---|---|
| Number | 7 |
| Country/Territory | Singapore |
| City | Singapore |
| Period | 07/12/2003 → 11/12/2003 |
| Internet address |