The degree of hygrometry, that is to say the percentage of water vapor in the air, is a health parameter often neglected in the house and yet very important for health. Too humid air favors the appearance of dust mites and mold, recognized allergens. To check if a home is damp, you can already try to identify signs of dampness: peeling paint, blackish stains on the joints of the toilets, appearance of mold on the walls, condensation on the windows. For a more precise diagnosis, it is very easy to measure the humidity level with a hygrometer, a small portable device that can be found today in DIY stores for a few tens of euros. “European standards recommend a humidity level of between 30 and 70%, but the ideal is between 40 and 60%. Beyond 60%, we can already consider that there is a humidity problem ”, estimates Laurent Héritier, housing and health advisor.
Is too dry air bad?
Below 40% hygrometry, theindoor air is too dry. And, just as air that is too humid is harmful, so too is the drying out of the air: it dries up the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which can promote ENT infections, especially in young children. In people with asthma, dry air can increase the risk ofasthma. Too dry air is also uncomfortable: it stings the eyes, increases sweating and creates a feeling of discomfort, even fatigue.
How to deal with dry air?
Often, it is the heating that is responsible for the air that is too dry. To begin with, we therefore review its temperature downwards to reach the comfort zone of 20-21 ° C. Certain types of heating can also help dry indoor air. This is the case with wood heating and electric heating, especially with old generation convectors. To compensate for the drying out of the air, air humidifiers are an interesting solution, provided they are used correctly in order to avoid microbial contamination. In practice: demineralized water is used (to prevent the proliferation of legionella), it is changed often, the filters are replaced and the device is disinfected regularly. Finally, we use the humidifier wisely: we regularly check the humidity of the room with a hygrometer and, beyond 40% humidity, we stop the humidifier.
