Humidity and Occupants

What the Latest in Humidity Research

Means for You
Presenters
 Matt Nowak
North American Sales Manager
Armstrong International

 Eric Brodsky, PE
Director of Technology
Research Products Inc. / Aprilaire / DriSteem

 Duncan Curd
General Manager
Nortec Humidity Ltd.

 Jeremy Wolfe
National Sales & Marketing Manager
CAREL USA
Agenda
1. Fundamentals of Humidity
• Key Terms and Definitions
• How indoor humidity changes throughout the year
• Where humidification matter most

2. Humidity and People

• Historical Research
• Impacts of moisture to the human body
• Recent advances in humidity research

3. Recent Research
• Microbiome Study Details
• Example of Hospital Savings
• Results and Recommendations

4. Humidity in Your Building

• Technologies for Humidification
• Cooling and Humidifying with Adiabatic Systems
• Humidification with Steam
• Case Studies / Installation Examples
What is Humidity and How Do We Measure It?

Humidity
• The amount of water vapor in the air
• Measured in “Absolute” or “Relative” terms

Absolute Humidity
• Mass of water in particular volume of air
• Expressed as mass (grains/lbda or gw/kgda)

Relative Humidity
• Amount of water vapor in the air relative to how much it can
hold at a given temperature (%)
 Maximum Moisture Content Of Air Depends
On Air Temperature
25
Grains of Water / Cubic Foot of Air

20

15

10

0
-5
0
5
0

0
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
10
-1

Air Temperature (F)

How Much Water Can the Air Hold?

Air Heated From 10°F @ 100% RH to 70 °F

1 lb (kg) of Air
Would Only Be Less Than 10% RH
35°F (2°C)
30 gr (2g/kg)
The Psychrometric Chart
Typical RH in Las Vegas, NV
Typical Temps in Las Vegas, NV
Need for Humidification

 Summer (July 19th)

– 104F @ 10% RH = 72F @ 27.5% RH

 Winter (Dec. 22nd)

– 38F @ 65% RH = 72F @ 19% RH

 ASHRAE Winter Design Conditions

– 30F @ 50%RH = 72F @ 11% RH
Problems Associated with Dry Air

Processing and Handling

of Hygroscopic Materials

Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD)

Human Health and

Comfort
Hygroscopic Materials

 Most Common
– Paper / Leather / Books / Paintings / Wood Products
 Common Effects
• Curling of Stock
• Cracking or Breaking at Creases
• Loss of Package Strength
• Production Delays
• Gluing Failures
• Warping
• Cracking
• Dry Rot
 Also applications in Food Storage / Concrete Curing / Ect.
Effects of Humidity on Paper
Electrostatic Discharge

 Electronic Office Equipment including Data Centers

 Manufacturing Facilities for Electronics
 Handling of Flammable Materials
Humidity and ESD
Electrostatic Voltages

10%-20% RH 65%-90% RH
Walking Across Carpet 35,000 1,500

Walking Over Vinyl Floor 12,000 250

Worker at Bench 6,000 100

Vinyl Envelopes for Work 7,000 600

Instructions
Common Poly Bag Picked Up From 20,000 1,200
Bench
Common Chair Padded with 18,000 1,500
Polyurethane Foam
Lonnie Brown and Dan Burns, "The ESD Control Process is a Tool for Managing Quality," Electronic Packaging and
Production, April 1990, pp 50-53
IC Damage from ESD
Problems Associated with Dry Air
Humidity and People
Humidity and People

• Historical humidity and health research

• Impacts of moisture on the human body
• Recent advances in humidity research
 Historical Humidity and Health Research

• Research primarily started in

1960s with a focus on allergies
• The Sterling Chart was first
published in 19851
• Focus is allergens, pathogens,
chemicals and ozone
• Updated by ASHRAE 2
• Common reference for building
design criteria
• Mid-range humidity 30-60% is
optimal for occupancy 22016 ASHRAE HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook – Ch 22

1E.M. Sterling, A. Arundel, and T.D. Sterling, Criteria for Human Exposure to Humidity in Occupied Buildings
(ASHRAE Transactions, 1985), Vol. 91, Part 1
Humidification for People

Human Body Response

• Human body is ~65% water

• The prevention of dehydration is
critically important. Many human
mechanisms exist to maintain
overall fluid balance.
• Health and comfort (wellness) is
significantly impacted by building
humidity http://www.passmyexams.co.uk
 Humidification for People

Static Electricity
• Is a build-up of electric
charges within or on the
surface of a material
• Can be a nuisance or a
hazard
• Static issues decrease
from ~20% to ~45% RH1

1 Graham Hearn, Wolfson Electrostatics, Controlling Static Electricity in Modern Buildings

Importance of Proper Humidification for Wellness

Skin
Maintaining healthy skin as a barrier is critical to wellness
Water content of innermost skin cells is ~70%
Below ~30% RH conditions, the skin becomes dry1

Dry skin symptoms include:

Itching, cracking and chapping

Skin conditions such as psoriasis

may become aggravated at lower RH

1 Sunwoo Y, Physiological and Subjective Responses to Low Relative Humidity

in Young and Elderly Men, (J Physio Anthropol, 2006 May), 25(3):229-38.
 Importance of Proper Humidification for Wellness
Eyes
Low humidity causes a breakdown of the tear film
Discomfort to the eye increases with time if the dew point is below 26°F1

Eye Comfort Range

82

80

78

76
Temperature [F]

74
Discomfort
Comfort Range
72
Range

70

68
68°F, 31% RH
66

64
5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85
Relative Humidity [%]
1 J.E. Laviana, F.H. Rohles, Jr. and P.E. Bullock, Humidity Comfort and Contact Lenses (ASHRAE, 1988) 94(1), 3-11.
Importance of Proper Humidification on Wellness
Throat
Humidity below 30% RH can irritate vocal chords 1
– Dryness of throat
– Increased hoarseness or laryngitis
– National Institute for Health (NIH) recommends:
• Drink water, six to eight glasses a day
• Use a humidifier
• Keep relative humidity > 30% RH

1 National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Taking Care of Your Voice,
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-voice (December 14, 2016)
Importance of Proper Humidification on Wellness
Nasal Passages

• Membranes in the nose dry out quicker in low humidity 1

– Humidity above 30% RH is needed for the mucous membranes
in the nose to properly filter the air we breathe
– More significant impact on the elderly or health compromised

1 J.P.
Guggenbichler, R. Huster and S. Geiger, Luftfeuchtigkeit und Immunabwehr
Die Rolle der Schleimhaut und Auswirkungen auf die Klimatechnik (2007) Tab Technik AM, Vol. 38, No. 9
Importance of Proper Humidification for Wellness
• Lungs – Low humidity results in breathing smaller particles 1
– Low humidity can increase creation of smaller exhaled breathe
aerosols that can retransmit microbes
– Greater likelihood of particles being inhaled deeply

1ASHRAE Guideline 10-2016, Interactions Affecting

the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments
Recent Humidification Research
Health – Viruses and Seasonal Influenza
• Influenza is more common in the fall and winter months1

1 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm
 Recent Humidification Research
Influenza Virus
• Studies show that higher humidity reduces infectivity of
influenza

Research indicates that 1 hour after coughing, the influenza virus is ~5 times
more infectious at 7-23% than at > 43% RH
1 John Noti, et al, Humidity Leads to Loss of Infectious Influenza Virus from Simulated Coughs (February 27, 2013)
Recent Humidification Research
Health – Viruses and Seasonal Influenza

• Possible reasons for increased winter influenza include1 :

‒ People spend more time indoors in proximity of others
‒ Exhaled aerosols can dry out and become smaller in lower
humidity and have longer settling times
‒ Drying of nasal mucous membrane weakens respiratory system
‒ Virus is most stable at lower RH

Data suggests that humidifiers may be adequate to raise humidity to

levels associated with a significant reduction in influenza virus
survival2
1 Anice Lowen, et al, Influenza Virus Transmission Is Dependent on Relative Humidity and Temperature (October 19, 2007)
2J. Metz, et al, Influenza and Humidity – Why a bit more damp may be good for you! (June 2015)
Recent Humidification Research
ASHRAE Research Project 1630 completed in 2016

Title - Update of the Scientific Evidence for Specifying Lower

Limit Relative Humidity Levels for Comfort, Health and IEQ in
Occupied Spaces

Authors - Melanie M. Derby, Maryam Hamehkasi, Steven

Eckels, Grace M. Hwang, Byron Jones, Ronaldo Maghirang

About 600 articles were identified and 70 articles were

reviewed in detail concerning effects of humidity on comfort,
health, and indoor environmental quality
Recent Humidification Research
Findings include:
• Lower humidity decreased house
dust mite allergens
• Lower humidity increased virus
survival for influenza
• Health, comfort, skin dryness,
eye irritation, and static
electricity increased as humidity
decreased
RP 1630 results are consistent with
the updated Sterling Chart in the
ASHRAE Handbook
Low and High humidity control is important for wellness, health and comfort
Summary
• Humidity plays an important role in health and comfort
• Our bodies are 65% water
• Our skin, eyes, and respiratory system all need proper humidity

• Research shows a link between low humidity and the

likelihood of flu
• Our body defenses are stronger above 30% RH
• There is less infectious flu virus in the air at higher RH levels
• The likelihood of flu infectivity decreases at higher humidity
levels

Occupants Buildings
Updates in Humidity Research

With Contributions from Dr. Stephanie Taylor

And Dr. Med. Walter Hugentobler
What is the Microbiome ?

• Microbiomes are
We have an obligatory relationship with Indoor air an
communities of microbes
– bacteria, viruses and
fungi-that live in, on and
around every living thing
• Microbiome of: We send Buildings
the gut our send their
the skin microbes microbes
into into us
the built environment buildings
the air, etc
Microbiome Research in a New Hospital

• Constructed in 2013 to LEED Silver

• 1.2 million square feet, 12 story
• 240 single occupancy rooms
Research Goals: Patient Room vs. Patient Outcome
• Monitor the physical environment (10 rooms, 2 RN stations)
• Measure microbial footprint
• Determine Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI’s)

5 minute samples for 1 year = 8 million data points

Study Results
• 15% of patients contract HAI’s
Rate Symptom HAI Organism
1 Unspecified infection Citrobacter infection
6 Colitis and Diarrhea Clostridium difficile
6 Post-surgical Wound Infection OIrganism Unspecified
2 Pneumonia Cytomegalovirus, Pseudomonas, Epstein-Barr
5 Urosepsis Organism unspecified, E-Coli
3 Infection with Joint Prosthesis MRSA
6 Central Line with Blood Stream Infection Bacteria Unspecified
4 Pneumonia Organism Unspecified
1 Gastritis, Enteritis Cytomegalovirus , Salmonella
4 Bacteremia Organism Unspecified
2 Pneumonia MRSA

Why?
• Likely several reasons
• Most factors did not show strong correlation…
 Study Results: Indoor RH vs. Patient HAI’s

Average RH for
all Patient Rooms

Source: Colonization and Succession of Hospital-Associated Microbiota, in Press 2016

Simon Lax, Daniel Smith, Naseer Sangwan, Kim Handley, Peter Larsen, Miles Richardson, Stephanie Taylor, Emily
Landon, John Alverdy, Jeffrey Siegel, Brent Stephens, Rob Knight, Jack A Gilbert
 Study Results: Indoor RH vs. Bacteria Spread

Spread of skin bacteria

from clinical staff

Source: Colonization and Succession of Hospital-Associated Microbiota, in Press 2016

Simon Lax, Daniel Smith, Naseer Sangwan, Kim Handley, Peter Larsen, Miles Richardson, Stephanie Taylor, Emily
Landon, John Alverdy, Jeffrey Siegel, Brent Stephens, Rob Knight, Jack A Gilbert
Study Conclusions

As Relative Humidity goes

Infections and bacterial spread goes

t < 0.02 t < 0.01
How Costly Is This?
 Mechanics of Infections: Droplets in Air

Droplet diameter in microns (um) Float time

0.5 41 hours
1
3

10 1.5 hours

100 6 seconds

Distance travelled: 1m 10m+

Image Courtesy: Dr. Stephanie Taylor

 Mechanics of Infections
• Infectious particles survive longer in dry air
50% RH 30% RH

• Bodily defenses less effective in dry air

50% RH 30% RH

Images Courtesy: Condair AG

Not Just Hospitals! Offices, Schools, Homes
• Results of study apply more broadly
• Infectious organisms found everywhere
• Controlling humidity is essential

• Healthy employees pay dividends

• Fewer sick days
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Increased productivity
Image Courtesy: N. Lea

• Costs and Incentives

• Hospitals penalized monetarily by HAI rates
• Schools incentives for performance
• What does illness cost your organization?
Unintended Consequences of Optimal Humidity

Image Courtesy: iStock Photo | Photo ID 173250244

Improved productivity through well being [1]

• Reduced eye strain
• Reduced vocal strain
• Reduced allergy and asthma impact
• Increased employee performance
• Mental acuity
• Improved perceived comfort (“humidex”)
[1] Rief S and Juric M, Air Humidity in the Office Workplace, Fraunhofer IAO, 2014
Summary
• Research shows humidity plays important role in health
• Low humidity levels promote infections and bacterial spread
• Mid-range humidity is ideal target

• Illness and sick occupants cost money!

• Healthcare costs
• Penalties and lost incentives
• Lost productivity

• You Hold the Key!

Humidity Control
Occupants • Better health Buildings
• Cleaner buildings
Humidity in Your Building (Practical
Applications)
Technologies for Humidification
Steam vs. Atomizing

Isothermals Adiabatics
Water droplets introduced in the air: no
ASEPTIC HUMIDIFICATION Steam doesn’t carry bacteria recirculation
Treated water

Small - Medium sized loads Small to Large sized loads

CAPACITY
(100’s) (1000’s)

POWER CONSUMPTION High Very Low

Minimum evaporation space

REQUIRED FREE SPACE Steam is easily and quickly absorbed by the air
( > 36” - 60” typ.)

Yes
TEMPERATURE CHANGE Temperature doesn’t change significantly
COOLING EFFECT

Tap and treated Tap and treated

WATER
(maintenance) (maintenance)

*Typical for the industry

 Humidifying with Isothermal & Adiabatic Systems
MECHANICAL HEATING (ABC):
moisture content = constant

ISOTHERMAL HUMIDIFYING (BD):

temp = constant
(i.e. excepted steam baths)

ADIABATIC HUMIDIFYING & COOLING(CD):

temp decreases because sprayed water
evaporates absorbing heat from the air
Technologies for Humidification
Steam Technologies
Gas Fired Electric Building Steam

Centralized Steam

Electrode

Gas Steam to Steam

Resistive
 Technologies for Humidification
Adiabatic Technologies
Wetted Media Centrifugal Ultrasonic

High Pressure Room Compressed Air

Duct

Medium Pressure
Cooling & Humidifying with Adiabatic Systems
Cooling the air by water evaporation directly in the supply air: 77lb/hr
+
1058 btu/hr of cooling capacity per 1lb/hr of evaporated 1kW electric power
water =
82k BTU/hr cooling
≈
THE AIR IS COOLED AND HUMIDIFIED 8.5kW electric saving

exhaust outside 77lb/hr

air air

supply
80°F air
return 95°F
air 60%rH 6000 CFM
30%rH
 Cooling & Humidifying with Adiabatic Systems
The exhaust air is cooled before entering 220 lb/h
the heat recovery unit: it sensibly cools the outdoor air +
thus reducing the load at the cooling coil. 1kW electric power
+
Smaller coil, smaller chiller, lower running costs heat recovery ε=58%
=
IEC does not add moisture on supply air: 144k BTU/h cooling
SENSIBLE COOLING ONLY (12 tons)
≈
220lb/hr 15 kW electric saving

77°F
50%rH

95°F 64.4°F

40%rH 100%rH
17,600 CFM

82°F 77°F

55%rH 70%rH
 Application: Hospital

Details:
Location: Santorso (VI), Italy
Technology: High Pressure Atomizers
Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company

Installation Notes
• 66 units ranging 220 – 2200 lb/hr
• Humidification during cooling mode
• Multiple zones from a single system
• Minimal maintenance required

Benefits:
• Evap cooling reduces mechanical needs
• Reduced mechanical energy costs
• Building constructed using Green principals Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company
 Application: Residential Home
Details: Evaporative
Humidifier
Location: Madison, WI
Technology: Evaporative and Steam

Installation Notes
• Multiple HVAC Systems
• Automatic humidistat control
• Outdoor temperature sensor
• Closet Installation

Benefits: Steam
Humidifier
• Improved homeowner comfort
• Potential energy savings
• Preservation of wood furnishings
• Potential of improved wellness Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company
 Application: Bikram Yoga Studio

Details:
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Technology: Resistive Element

Installation Notes
• Humidity added directly to room
• Humidifier installed in closet
• Oversized to enable quick startup

Benefits:
• Rapid startup reduces time to open studio
• Operates on standard tap water
• Clean steam reduces odor potential
• Health and wellness of occupants
Images Courtesy :N. Lea
Application: Assisted Living Facility

Details:
Technology: Natural Gas Fired Steam
Short Absorption Manifold

Installation Notes
• Short distance for steam absorption
• No indoor space available

Benefits:
• Saved valuable indoor space Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company

• Reduced electrical load by using gas

• Able to absorb in a relatively short distance saving space in the AHU
• Created comfortable environment for not only the elderly but for the health
and wellness of all occupants
 Application: Office Building
Details:
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Technology: Natural Gas Fired Steam

Installation Notes
• Tight space was impossible for crane
• Outdoor model saved mechanical space
• Gas selected for capacity and energy cost

Benefits:
• Improved employee eye, skin, and vocal health
• Potential reductions in absenteeism
• Potential improved productivity through well being
• Preservation of building finishes
Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company
Application: Cleanroom Manufacturing

Details:
Location: Dallas, Tx
Technology: High Pressure Fogging

Installation Notes
• Multiple 60,000 cfm rooftop units
• Precision +/-1% control sequence
• Modular design facilitates service
• Process water avoids mineral dust

Benefits:
• Maintains humidity within process spec
• Reduces potential for static electricity
• Evaporative effect reduces mechanical cooling
Images Courtesy: N. Lea
Application: Social Media Data Center

Details:
Location: Northern Sweden
Technology: Evaporative Media

Installation Notes
• Fans and filters run length of building
• 78 side by side evaporative coolers
• 50,000 lbs of water evaporate per hour

Benefits:
• 4,500 tons of evaporative cooling
• Low energy input and cost
• Stable server environment
• Reduced potential for static electricity
Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company
Application: Cancer Research Data Center

Details:
Location: Seattle, WA
Technology: Evaporative Media

Installation Notes
• 750 kW “Tier II” Datacenter Image Source: http://www.aeieng.com/index.php/10729-00

• 106,000 cfm ventilation

• Humidity added in unique “AHU corridor”
• Economizer + Evap proves 90% cooling

Benefits:
• Evap cooling offsets mechanical needs
• Optimal environment for servers
• Helped achieve low overall energy
consumption Image Courtesy: N. Lea
 Application: Printing Facility
Details:
Location: Kaukauna, WI
Technology: Natural Gas Fired Steam

Installation Notes
• Excessive electrostatic charges Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company

(folding, packaging, delivery of finished products)

• No existing provisions for duct mounting
• Precision +/-2% control sequence
• Minimal maintenance required

Benefits:
• Reduced potential for static electricity Image Courtesy: AHRI Member Company

• Direct to space without interrupting existing mech. systems

• Reduced energy cost over traditional electric humidifier
Humidity Design Resources: More Information
ASHRAE Handbooks
• 2016 Systems and Equipment Chapter 22
• 2015 HVAC Applications
©ASHRAE, www.ashrae.org

AHRI Humidifiers Section

• www.ahrinet.org
• Click Contractors and Specifiers
©AHRI, www.ahrinet.org

Local Standards and Norms

• Codes, Federal Standards, etc.
• Euro Standard EN 15251:2007
Photo Credit: N. Lea
Summary
• When outdoor air is cooler than indoor air you are generally going to see a
drying effect in buildings

• Air that is too dry has negative health effects for occupants. Target 30 – 60% RH
for optimal occupant wellness (eyes, skin, nasal)

• Research shows the relative humidity is in controlling the spread of illness and in
particular Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI’s). There is a clear payback in
Hospitals, which can be easily extrapolated to many building types

• Todays humidifiers are considerably more advanced that old generations and
there are types and technologies to match any applications humidity needs, and
potentially even contribute to cooling.
Questions