Dry Air In The Home Or Workplace Could Make You Ill

It’s no secret that constantly living and working in damp conditions is bad for our health, but not many people realise that the opposite is also true. Dry air is the underlying cause of many health problems that could be easily avoided by regulating the air in the home and workplace. The use of air conditioners not only helps to control the temperature and purity of the air but also ensures that humidity is kept at the right levels to avoid these health issues. One obvious consequence of a dry environment is dehydration, but there are all sorts of other complaints that can be made worse by living and working in these conditions.

Asthma – Buildings with modern double glazed windows can get very hot and dry during the winter months when the central heating is in use. That dried-our feeling you get from using central heating for long periods of time is unpleasant for anyone, but people who suffer from respiratory illnesses often find it can make them feel a whole lot worse. Installing a portable air conditioner with a humidifier in the home or office makes all the difference as it injects the necessary moisture back into the air.

Dry skin and hair – If the air is too dry it will attempt to correct this by taking moisture from the skin of people and animals, plants, wooden furniture etc. This leaves the skin rough and flaky, and hair damaged and dry.

Hay fever and allergies – Hay fever actually has nothing to do with hay, and affects one in 10 people across central Europe. Pollen in the air is the real problem, it’s everywhere in the summer months but invisible to the eye. The use of a ceiling fan will make the room feel fresher and less dusty, but if the air is too dry it will only blow pollen around even more. Keeping humidity at a steady, healthy level weighs down dust and other airborne particles. It’s why many hay fever sufferers spend the summer hoping for rain, as their allergies are easier to deal with while the air is moist.

Eyes – One of the first things to be affected by dry air is the eyes. The dry air evaporates the thin layer of moisture from the surface of the eye, leaving it red, irritated and sometimes painful. People who wear contact lenses are most likely to feel uncomfortable as dry lenses pick up dust and particles very easily and cause irritation in the eye.

Tiredness – It isn’t just the illusion of tiredness caused by dry and irritated eyes, but dry air also effects the way we breathe. A healthy amount of moisture in the air is needed for our lungs to be able to extract enough oxygen. Decreased productivity often occurs as a result of tiredness and lethargy, which are signs of reduced oxygen levels in the blood.