During severe winter weather, the inhabitants of cold climates may experience low levels of indoor air humidity (<20% RH) for periods of up to several weeks, and they associate this with numerous symptoms of dryness, primarily of the eyes, nasal cavity and skin. Also, the low humidity levels often experienced in aircraft cabins may cause flight crew to report on symptoms asscoiated with eyes, nasal passages and skin.
The Centre has adressed these problems in several series of experiments that focused on the effects of air humidity on perceived air quality and symptoms related to the skin, the eye, the nasal cavity and the respiratory tract.
Currently (spring 2003), additional experiments are being prepared to investigate prolonged exposure to very low air humidities (down to 5% rh). The scope of these experiments is aircraft cabins.
Additional information
Related results recently published on the Centre's website
Impact of air humidity and temperature on perceived air quality
Discomfort caused by air humidity
