The harm and benefits of the humidifier: the arguments for and against the use of appliances in the apartment

If you try to hold your breath, then pretty quickly you want to take a breath. But, to paraphrase an old ad, not all of the air is equally useful. But the comfortable atmosphere in the room directly affects health.

Is it possible to change the composition of the air in the house, making it optimal? As much as possible. For example, using a device that normalizes humidity in the surrounding area. The actual action, harm and benefits of an air humidifier are already well understood, but not known to all current and potential users.

In the presented article, we will talk about how to correctly select the most suitable model of a humidifier. We will show you where, how and when the equipment should be used. Our recommendations will come in handy during operation.

How to determine air humidity?

The market has a lot of humidifiers of three main types: traditional, steam and ultrasonic. Manufacturers of each guarantee that the benefits of hydration will be maximum, and harm, on the contrary, minimal.

Before as purchase a humidifier, you should decide whether to moisten the air at all. Excess moisture suspended in it can also have negative consequences.

Humidity is measured by a hygrometer. It is better to purchase a household model of a hygrometer or any multifunctional device with a hygrometer. Humidity in a house varies depending on the time of the year, and in apartments of high-rise buildings with central heating on, it changes dramatically.

Multifunctional electronic devices with a hygrometer allow you to control the humidity in the room. But despite the attractive appearance, they are less reliable than mechanical hygrometers

Our lungs are accustomed to air humidity from 40% to 60%. In winter, humidity in residential buildings is less, in summer more. It is believed that mechanical hygrometers are more reliable than electronic ones, but electronic ones are more accurate.

Why is too dry air dangerous?

Too dry indoor air is primarily contraindicated for allergy sufferers and people with respiratory diseases. Dry air does not bind dust, the smallest particles of which fall into the lungs with each breath.

As a result, even a healthy person has symptoms such as:

• labored breathing;
• sore throat;
• constant thirst;
• desire to clear one's throat

An asthmatic can literally begin to choke. For people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, humidifier in an apartment is as necessary as medicines.

Central heating of apartment buildings dries the air in cold winter. In order to avoid this, you must purchase a humidifier

Dry air is especially dangerous in old houses, the ventilation system of which is far from ideal. Central heating of high-rise buildings also “dries” the air.

Closed and sometimes still old-fashioned sealed windows and electric heaters in old apartments only worsen the situation. In such apartments, it literally becomes difficult to breathe. But discomfort is only part of the problem.

Humidifiers against viruses and bacteria

Sore throat is unpleasant, but not fatal. But the disease, even if it is a common cold, can kill. If the apartment has too dry air, then you can get sick right away for two reasons.

Possibility of forming a hazardous environment

First, some viruses and bacteria spread better in it. They are not bound by moisture, so a guest who accidentally sneezes can put all the residents to bed.

Too dry air can cause colds, even if the house is warm. It is necessary not only to take care of ventilation, but also to monitor the humidity in the rooms

Secondly, dry air also means insufficient humidity of a person’s natural defense against diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. The mucous membranes are overdried and do not retain viruses.

Bronchial tubes are worse self-cleaning. In winter, at the height of the epidemics of acute respiratory infections, influenza, SARS, the corresponding humidity in the apartment is extremely important.

Well-being and appearance

The human body absorbs oxygen better if the inhaled air has normal humidity.

Simply put, in dry or excessively humid air it is more difficult to get enough oxygen, and this directly affects:

• working capacity (chronic fatigue occurs);
• sleep (drowsiness with the inability to fully sleep);
• general health (one of the most common complaints are headaches).

And without humidifier skin diseases and diseases of the mucous membranes of the eyes may begin or worsen. The skin begins to peel, eyes - to hurt. Contact lenses turn into a tool of torture.

If the drops do not help with dry eyes, you should check the humidity in the apartment. Perhaps the body reacts this way to too dry air.

That doesn't sound very attractive, does it? Even a little scary. It turns out that you need to urgently install humidifiers, the sooner the better? But from humidifiers for an apartment there can be both benefit and harm. Possible side effects depend primarily on the type of moisturizer.

Traditional humidifiers

Traditional humidifiers, they are also cold-type humidifiers, are most reminiscent of fans in design. More precisely, these are fans, only a few more complex ones. They drive air through a humidifying cartridge.

Water is poured into the humidifier tank, impregnating replaceable cartridges. It is through these cartridges that the air pumped by the humidifier fan passes.Using a traditional humidifier, you can increase the humidity in the room up to 60%. The main side effect is noise.

Traditional air humidifiers cannot be called a complex mechanism. But he needs constant replacement of cartridges and regular cleaning. This reduces noise and improves efficiency.

Modern cold-type humidifiers are devices whose noise level does not exceed 40-50 dB, which is much lower than the level harmful to health.

But in the presence of neurosis, some mental disorders, and sleep problems, even this level of noise can cause a deterioration in well-being, stress. Another likely side effect is also a direct consequence of the design features of a traditional moisturizer.

When using it, the indoor air quality directly depends on the quality of the water poured into the humidifier. Water can contain anything from common salts to heavy metals, dangerous bacteria and viruses can lurk in the water.

If you do not change the humidifier cartridges regularly, then bacteria and viruses will accumulate there even if the water poured into the tank does not contain them. With the correct operation of the device and with the use of good water, it is almost impossible to become infected with anything through a cold type humidifier.

Steam humidifiers

The principle of operation of steam humidifiers is already intuitively clear from the name: water heats up, evaporates and moisturizes the air. Bacteria and microbes that are weakly susceptible to high temperatures cannot enter the air. However, a steam humidifier can also be harmful to human health.

Device and principle of operation

Filters and principle of operation traditional humidifiers do not allow the heavier fractions of water, especially salts, to enter the atmosphere. And the hot steam of old models of steam humidifiers “lifts up” everything that is dissolved in water.

This may cause:

1. Allergic reactions.
2. Harmful salts or other hazardous substances in the lungs.

In addition, steam, the temperature of which at the outlet of the humidifier can be 60 degrees, is quite easy to get burned corny.

Steam humidifiers even resemble something from either a coffee maker or a kettle. Arrange them so that the risk of scalding with a hot stream of steam is minimized.

Unlike cold-type humidifiers, steam humidifiers in theory can raise its humidity to 90% and even more.

Moreover, even 65% humidity is already considered excessive and may:

• lead to headaches;
• cause a runny nose;
• negatively affects the functions of the stomach.

Humidity in the room can be controlled with a hygrometer, which is increasingly integrated into the humidifier. But even modern models with a hygrometer, steam humidifiers not only moisturize, but also increase the temperature in the room.

High humidity in combination with high temperature is strictly contraindicated for both hypertension and hypotension. It can cause malaise in healthy people, especially in combination with physical activity.

People with hypertension should especially carefully monitor the humidity in their home. Both excess and insufficient humidity can cause a crisis

It's no secret that the “tropic effect” promotes dehydration: a person sweats, but because of the moist environment, the skin does not cool. An organism so deceived continues to sweat. Body temperature rises, the amount of fluid in the body decreases.

Among the effects of wet overheating can be:

• nosebleeds (with a predisposition to them):
• jumps in blood pressure (with a predisposition to them):
• fainting (with a predisposition to them).

It is especially dangerous to turn on the steam humidifier and heater at the same time, especially if it is winter outside and all windows are closed.At risk, in addition to people suffering from chronic diseases, are elderly people and small children. The temperature and humidity in the room should be controlled.

Danger of uncontrolled use

Excess moisture does not disappear without a trace. She settles on the walls, floor and ceiling. And contributes to the emergence of dangerous bacteria and mold fungus. Their colonies, feeling fine in a warm, humid environment, are not the best neighborhood.

Typically, black mold first appears in the corners of the room, under furniture and flooring. That is, without a hygrometer, you might not even notice a potential health hazard. Such an environment is an ideal condition for the reproduction of wood lice, cockroaches and other insects.

Black mold, which occurs due to too much moisture, is very difficult to remove. Propagating, it eats up in building structures and decoration, as a result of destroying everything that lives on

At the same time, it doesn’t matter to the fungus and bacteria how expensive the repair is in the apartment: colonies of microorganisms feel great on Italian tiles, and mold can also develop under French baseboards.

But only mold can cause:

• muscle pain;
• nausea, diarrhea:
• vision problems.

From the spores that breed mold, in certain circumstances, you can even die. Of course, we are mainly talking about its exotic species, but it is better not to use old models of steam humidifiers.

A number of models of steam humidifiers can be used in an alternative way - as an inhaler. Moreover, some models even have special nozzles. It is not only good for health, it is a full-fledged medical procedure.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

The most advanced equipment in this group is ultrasound models. Humidify the air with cold steam, which splits water when exposed to ultrasound. However, a number of models can heat water in order to kill microorganisms in them.

Features of work and device

As a rule, they have both manual and automatic humidity control. Quiet, the volume is only 25 dB. It is only necessary to periodically change the cartridges, which, among other things, soften the water and clean it of impurities.

A modern ultrasonic humidifier seems to be free from all the flaws. However, treating the symptoms of a disease with it is a very bad idea.

All obvious shortcomings of traditional and steam humidifiers associated with health risks are corrected. Unless stress from the high cost of such a device can be obtained. It should only be remembered that at full power, certain models of ultrasonic humidifiers can slightly lower the room temperature.

However, it would be wrong not to mention the myths associated with the dangers of ultrasound. Probably a month does not pass so that information on the Internet does not appear that ultrasound can irradiate a person to death, and ultrasound itself is a very dangerous thing.

Climatic complexes not only moisturize, but also purify the air. But the purchase of a climate complex should be well considered: service centers for their maintenance are far from everywhere

Ultrasound can not irradiate anyone, because it is not light, but sound, high-frequency vibrations that are not audible to the human ear. Some sound waves are heard by animals, such as dogs. But in household appliances such waves are not used.

Real benefit and harm

However, even such a safe device can be harmful to human health. Ultrasonic Humidifiers, just like steam or traditional can not be applied uncontrollably.

Often the latest generation ultrasonic humidifiers and climate systems, combining humidifiers and air purifiers, are used for other purposes.

Humidifiers are used to relieve symptoms of diseases without trying to treat what caused this disease.

These symptoms include:

• headaches, migraines
• first symptoms of colds
• first symptoms of hypertension or hypotension

For some irresponsible customers, it’s easier to turn the handle of the next “device” than to start taking care of their health. This is fundamentally the wrong approach, which can subsequently seriously affect health.

General recommendations for using humidifiers

Even the most cutting-edge humidifier with the cleaning function can not replace the ventilation system. He does not generate air. The humidifier is not very suitable for cleaning it, so that the great freshness of the air during operation of the device should not be misleading.

It is also not recommended to abuse aromatic additives, which are often offered for steam humidifiers. The humidifiers should be serviced on time - to clean, replace cartridges, and also follow the general safety principles when working with electrical appliances.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Despite the fact that alarmists regularly appear on the Internet telling about the dangers of air humidifiers, scientists and manufacturers and consumers currently share an opinion on their benefits.

The following video will introduce the opinion of a famous physician:

Another interview with the popular doctor Komarovsky:

Most tales of the dangers of humidifiers are long-exposed myths. However, no one has ever claimed that high humidity is good for your health.

Tell us about your experience in using humidifiers in an apartment / house / office. Did you feel harm or benefit during their operation? Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions about interesting and controversial issues, share useful information and photos on the topic of the article.