Scientific evidence for maintaining a healthy humidity

There are many scientific studies that show the direct and indirect effects of low relative humidity on human health and how it can influence airborne infection.

Here is just a selection of the overwhelming evidence for maintaining an optimum indoor humidity of 40-60%RH for human health and wellbeing.


Studies showing how humidity affects the survival and transmission of bacteria and viruses

Parhizkar et al 2022

Quantifying Environmental Mitigation of Aerosol Viral Load in a Controlled Chamber With...

View more

Dietz et al 2020

COVID-19: Review of Literature and Built Environment Considerations to Reduce Transmission

View more

Casanova et al 2010

Effects of air temperature and relative humidity on coronavirus survival on surfaces

View more

Noti et al 2013

High humidity leads to loss of infectious influenza virus from simulated coughs

View more

Sterling et al 1985

Criteria for human exposure to humidity in occupied buildings

View more

Arundel et al 1986

Indirect health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments

View more

Metz J A, Finn A 2015

Influenza and humidity - Why a bit more damp may be good for you!

View more

Lowen et al 2007

Influenza virus transmission Is dependent on relative humidity and temperature

View more

Yang W, Marr L 2011

Dynamics of airborne influenza A viruses indoors and dependence on humidity

View more

Yang W, Marr L 2012

Relationship between humidity & influenza A viability in droplets & implications for flu's seasonality

View more

Lester W 1948

The influence of relative humidity on the infectivity of air-borne influenza A virus (PR8 strain)

View more

Myatt T. A. et al 2010

Modeling the airborne survival of influenza virus in a residential setting

View more

Shaman et al 2010

Absolute humidity and the seasonal onset of influenza in the continental United States

View more

Dunklin EW, Puck TT 1948

The lethal effects of relative humidity on bacteria

View more

Studies showing the effects of dry air on human airways, eyes and skin

Kudo E et al 2019

Low ambient humidity impairs barrier function and innate resistance against influenza infection

View more

Abusharha AA, Pearce EI 2013

The effect of low humidity on the human tear film

View more

Ewert G 1965

On the mucus flow rate in the human nose

View more

Salah B et al 1988

Nasal mucociliary transport in healthy subjects is slower when breathing dry air

View more

Wolkoff P, Kjaergaard SK. 2007

The dichotomy of relative humidity on indoor air quality

View more

Sunwoo Y et al 2006

Physiological and subjective responses to low relative humidity

View more

Studies showing the effects of humidity on absenteeism, sickness and indoor air quality

Reiman J 2018

Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A

Click here

Taylor S, Hugentobler W 2016

Is low indoor humidity a driver for healthcare-associated infections?

View more

Sale C 1972

Humidification to reduce respiratory illnesses in nursery school children

View more

Gelperin A 1973

Humidification and upper respiratory infection incidence (army barracks study)

View more

Green G 1975

The effect of indoor relative humidity on absenteeism & colds in schools

View more

Green G 1981

Winter humidities and related absenteeism in Canadian hospitals

View more

Ritzel G 1966

Socio-medical study on pathogenesis and prophylaxis of common colds (kindergarten study)

View more

Alsmo T, Alsmo C 2016

A comparison of relative humidity between two Swedish buildings with different ventilation solutions

View more

Koep T et al 2013

Predictors of indoor absolute humidity and estimated effects on influenza virus survival in grade schools

View more

You may also be interested in...