Other Air Treatments

Learn more about Humidity Control Resources at ashrae.org

Output ratings can vary tremendously based on air pressure, temperature, initial humidity levels and other factors. A more important factor when selecting a humidifier is the size of the reservoir and how often it will need to be refilled. One very useful feature is a humidistat, which will automatically shut off the humidifier if the humidity levels get too high.... Though the aerosol particles did not cause severe inflammation of the lungs in mice, the study authors concluded that demineralized water should be used instead of tap water to reduce any risk. ...The lungs of babies and small children may be more sensitive to the chemicals produced by an ultrasonic humidifier.

Shopping for a humidifier? Read about types, features, and other must-know topics in our humidifier buying guide to make an informed choice.

Influenza incidence and seasonality, along with virus survival and transmission, appear to depend at least partly on humidity, and recent studies have suggested that absolute humidity (AH) is more ...

[*Researcher note: Some conclusions in this document conflict with other documents'.] High humidity may make 50 micron droplets travel farther. "Humidity affects the fate of exhaled droplets, since dry air can accelerate natural evaporation. In air with 100% relative humidity, the simulations show larger droplets that are 100 microns in diameter fall to the ground approximately 6 feet from the source of exhalation. Smaller droplets of 50 microns in diameter can travel further, as much as 5 meters, or about 16 feet, in very humid air. Less humid air can slow the spread. At a relative humidity of 50%, none of the 50-micron droplets traveled beyond 3.5 meters."

********Laboratory research studies indicate that aerosolized influenza viruses survive for longer periods at low relative humidity. "indicates that increased humidification decreases survival of influenza virus on surfaces " "The median air exchange rate of the models was essentially the same, approxi- mately 0.22 air changes per hours (ACH). However, due to lower air movement between rooms, radiant heat models showed larger increases in moisture levels, and therefore larger decreases in influenza virus. In a similar way, home characteristics such as the room volume and air exchange rate should be considered"

Flu season is fast approaching, and as the weather outside gets frightful, more households will begin to utilize humidifiers as a temporary method to mitigate parched, stuffy air. According to a newly published study, however, this action could also help decrease the incident rates of influenza, as the flu virus floating around in the air can be killed with the aid of humid air.

The dry days of winter are here. And with them come flaky skin, a stuffy nose, and a static shock every time you touch something in the house. This time of year, the moisture level in the air reaches its low point, and the dry heat in our homes makes it worse. For relief, many people turn to humidifiers and vaporizers to restore the moisture in the air. Before you do, here's what you need to know!

Dry air can lead to sore throats, chafed nasal passages and dry skin, especially for little ones. "It's common in Colorado to use humidifiers," says Robin Deterding, MD, medical director of our Breathing Institute. "But people should use them cautiously."

"National Institutes of Health recently conducted a study to determine the risk to health of their humidifier policy.37 The policy allows patients to request bedside humidifiers, but states that humidifiers “must be filled with sterile water and that the humidifier must be discarded after three days of use.”"

We’ve spent 270 hours over the past four years researching and testing 21 humidifiers. Here’s what we recommend for different needs and different spaces.

Pre-humidification did not produce any significant difference in virus recovery.

October-November-December Climate normals

2010. "Overall, virus survival was enhanced by a lower AT. Similar relationships between AT and virus inactivation have been observed for enveloped viruses in liquids and aerosols. Coronavirus data obtained in this study suggest that although the rates of viral inactivation are lower at lower ATs, there are still different effects of RH on viral survival at each AT. " "Around 20°C), coronaviruses can survive for 2 days while losing only 1 to 2 log10 infectivity, depending on RH. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from infected individuals with SARS can have viral loads ranging from 105 to 108 genome templates/ml, suggesting that respiratory secretions from SARS patients may contain infectious virus. If deposited in these secretions, coronaviruses could potentially survive on surfaces in health care environments for days. Evidence of SARS-CoV nucleic acids on surfaces and inanimate objects in hospitals has been reported. However, there are no data on the occurrence of infectious SARS-CoV on these surfaces. The dose-response relationship and minimal infectious doses for infection of humans by SARS-CoV and other coronaviruses have also not been defined."

{*These humidifier disinfectants did not use sodium chlorite or chlorine dioxide. They included oligoethoxyethyl-guanidinium chloride (PGH), polyhexamethylene-guanidine phosphate (PHMG), and chloromethylisothiazol/methyl-isothiazol (CMIT/MIT).}

{Chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite were not used in any humidifier disinfectant products.} Research based on earlier reports and studies. Searched topics included ‘polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG),’ ‘oligo(2-(2-ethoxy) ethoxyethyl guanidinium (PGH),’ ‘poly-hexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB),’ ‘chlorome-thylisoehiasolinone (CMIT),’ ‘methylisothiazolinone (MIT),’ and other chemical names.

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Deterioration of indoor air quality (IAQ) might result from the current isolation due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Home isolation is a requi…

The World Health Organization declared the infectious spread of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) an epidemic during its in…

During the rapid rise in COVID-19 illnesses and deaths globally, and notwithstanding recommended precautions, questions are voiced about routes of transmission for this pandemic disease. Inhaling small airborne droplets is probable as a third route of ...

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With the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that results in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), corporate entities, federal, state, county, and city governments, universities, school districts, places of worship, ...

There were 3 influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and there has been 1 so far in the 21st century. Local, national, and international health authorities regularly update their plans for mitigating the next influenza pandemic in light of the latest ...

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