How Does Relative Humidity Affect Your Health?: Part 4

Thursday, May 25th, 2017 by Joy Padgett

Relative humidity levels in your home should be kept between 40-60% because, at this level, bacteria, viruses and allergens don’t thrive or distribute themselves throughout the home. The last elements that can affect your health and uses humidity to grow and spread are chemicals.

Because many chemicals found in homes are water-soluble, as humidity level increase, off-gassing is more likely to occur. Off-gassing is when materials inside the home release volatile organic compounds into the air. Formaldehyde, which is found in foam insulation and textiles, is much more likely to be exposed in high humidity. Formaldehyde is found in manufactured wood products, synthetic fabrics, paint, cosmetics, clothing and drapery. It is also found in cigarette smoke and unvented, fuel-burning appliances like space heaters.

High humidity levels will allow the formaldehyde to be released from these products and become airborne. Once it is airborne, it can easily move throughout your house and you can then easily breathe it in.

Weatherization Plus has knowledgeable and trained technicians who can help you determine just what is causing the high humidity levels in your house and then devise a plan of action to combat those levels and bring them back down to the optimal range.