Humidity in the environment. How to increase air humidity in an apartment: signs of "dryness" and ways to eliminate it Air humidity and human health

Health 03.09.2019
Health

Climate characterized air temperature and humidity. These concepts are closely connected between themselves. How above ambient temperature, the more water molecules evaporate from the surface of water bodies.

The state of saturated steam, when the process of evaporation and condensation of moisture is balanced, can be observed in closed vessel with water. The density of air relative to saturated steam at the same temperature is called relative humidity air and measured as a percentage.

Overdried indoor air, negatively affects the well-being of a person, and the living organisms surrounding him. Dryness the room affects plants, pets, products made from natural materials, books, paintings, etc.

In the room with special devices that show its relative value as a percentage. Regular control parameters of the microclimate in the apartment allows warn deviations from the norm that are dangerous to human health.

In contact with

Classmates

Humidity standards

For most long-term structures, there are norms conducive to his existence. microclimate.

In reference tables GOST 30494-2011 the permissible and optimal values ​​of air parameters, as well as public premises, are indicated. These restrictions in compulsory taken into account in the design and construction of buildings.

to acceptable include indoor temperature and humidity readings that can cause a temporary sensation discomfort in humans, but do not lead to acute and chronic diseases. The optimal range of air parameters ensures normal heat exchange and a stable water balance of the body.

Dependence of normative parameters on the time of year

Percentage of air humidity directly depends from temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the norms are set for the cold and warm periods of the year. Winter season characterized by an outside temperature that does not exceed +8 degrees Celsius.

With cooling, the concentration of moisture in the indoor air also decreases accordingly. Optimal parameters during this period are indicators of relative humidity from 30 to 45%, admissible value must not exceed 60% .

AT warm time of the year when the air temperature is higher +8 degrees lasts for several days, the humidity rises steadily and, with the onset of heat, tends to a state saturated steam. Permissible the level of air humidity in summer in residential premises - 65% . Optimal Range is 60-30% .

Good to know: despite the established standards, medical experts advise not to allow the humidity in the apartment to drop below 45%. This is explained negative influence dry microclimate on the mucous membranes of the nose, larynx and eyes of a person.

When the ambient humidity decreases violated the body's water balance, the skin dries up, the lungs lose their ability to cleanse themselves, which causes coughing fits and can lead to chronic diseases.

How to determine the humidity in the apartment?

Compliance relative humidity in a city apartment is not easy, especially in winter. A large number of household appliances, heating appliances, TV and computer displays contribute dry air in apartments and houses.

You can check the level of humidity at home hygrometer or using improvised means.

Household electronic hygrometers measure the level of relative humidity quite accurately. At the same time, the device measures the temperature in the room and records the data for viewing at a convenient time.

Constant monitoring of microclimate parameters allows you to create comfortable conditions for the life of all the inhabitants of the house.

You can determine the relative humidity in a room using psychrometric table. To begin with, measure the temperature of the surrounding air with a conventional mercury thermometer. Then wrap the mercury flask with a damp cloth and repeat the measurement through 10 minutes with a "wet" thermometer.

temperature difference and dry thermometer readings are the initial data for determining the humidity in the room.

Exemplary air humidity can be obtained using glass vessel with water. It must first be placed in the refrigerator for several hours so that the temperature of the water drops to 50C. Then the container is placed on a flat surface away from heating devices.

If the condensation on the glass has disappeared in 5-10 minutes, which means that the room is very dry air. The water droplets did not evaporate, but did not increase in size either - the humidity in the room is at an average level.

If the condensate flows down a smooth surface in thin streams, then the humidity level high and tends to a state of saturated steam (from you can find out how to get rid of humidity in an apartment).

Advice: put a saucer with dry crackers on the table in the evening, if in the morning they do not lose their fragility, then the air in the room is dry.

Signs of low humidity

For rooms with low humidity levels characteristic some or all of the above signs:
  • Withered wooden furniture, which does not close well;
  • cracks between parquet planks;
  • Quickly drying earth in flowerpots with indoor plants;
  • Increased static electricity;
  • The smell of dust from curtains and curtains;
  • Difficulty ironing clothes and bed linen;
  • Dry skin and brittle hair.

Dry air in living rooms can cause serious diseases. At first, a person experiences only a feeling of thirst and slight discomfort. These symptoms are replaced by fatigue, burning in the eyes, drowsiness, poor appetite.

Breaks down over time body water balance and protective functions of the mucous membranes, immunity is sharply reduced. Allergic reactions to dust can develop into chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs.

Doctors recommendation: Regular water treatments, quenching your thirst with pure non-carbonated water, moisturizing the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes will help to cope with the unpleasant symptoms of low air humidity.

Ways to fight and preventive measures

Eliminate the reason for the increased dryness of the indoor microclimate in autumn-winter period practically impossible. environment humidity directly depends from temperature readings.

Preventive measures to maintain a comfortable microclimate in residential premises:

  • Daily ventilation rooms in the morning and evening;
  • Regular wet cleaning;
  • Increasing the number of households plants;
  • Insulation of external walls (for example,);
  • Open containers and water tanks: vases, aquariums,;
  • Humidifiers.

When set by control measurements reduced humidity in one of the rooms, it is necessary to make every effort to change the microclimate parameters for the better.

One of the most effective ways combating excessive dryness in residential areas is home humidifier installation. Different in design and method of spraying moisture, these devices successfully cope with the task.

Used as a temporary evaporator Electric kettle , which is placed out of the reach of children. You can increase the humidity by spreading wet towels or sheets on heating appliances.

The fabric must be periodically moistened or lowered its edges in a container of water. Drapes and curtains after washing should not be completely wrung out. By hanging them in this form on window openings, you can briefly improve the microclimate in the room.

Advice: in winter, decorative plastic containers are hung on heating appliances to evaporate water. Such humidifiers can be made by hand.

Dry air in living quarters has a negative effect on health person. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can cause a number of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor the humidity in all rooms of the apartment.

Preventive actions to stabilize the level of humidity in the optimal range for a person will help improve the microclimate of the living space, avoid frequent respiratory diseases and preserve interior items.

From this video You will learn how to humidify dry air in the apartment:

In contact with

See inaccuracies, incomplete or incorrect information? Do you know how to make an article better?

Would you like to suggest photos for publication on a topic?

Please help us make the site better! Leave a message and your contacts in the comments - we will contact you and together we will make the publication better!

Assessing the parameters of the air in the house, most people first of all pay attention to its temperature, forgetting about such an important indicator as humidity. The subjective sensation of heat or cold, general well-being, the condition of plants and the safety of many household items depend on it. We will figure out what is the norm of air humidity in the apartment, and also find out what it affects.

The humidity indicator reflects the degree of saturation of the air with water vapor. It is absolute and relative. In the first case, it is determined how many grams of moisture are contained in 1 cubic meter of air. In the second, the percentage ratio of the real amount of water in the atmosphere (absolute indicator) and the maximum possible at a given temperature is calculated.

When using such a concept as the norm of humidity in an apartment, a relative indicator is implied. This parameter largely determines the comfort of the microclimate in the room. Both the person and the home environment suffer from excessively high or too low humidity.

Dry indoor air provokes increased moisture loss through the skin and respiratory tract. This can lead to such unpleasant consequences as:

  • decrease in the elasticity of hair, nails and skin, accompanied by the appearance of microcracks, wrinkles, peeling, dermatitis;
  • drying of the mucous membrane of the eyes, the symptoms of which are itching, redness, a feeling of "sand";
  • thickening of the blood, leading to a slowdown in its circulation, weakness, headache, decreased performance, increased stress on the heart;
  • an increase in the viscosity of gastric and intestinal juices, provoking a slowdown in digestion;
  • drying of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which results in a weakening of local immunity and an increase in the frequency of SARS;
  • an increase in the amount of respiratory allergens in the atmosphere, which should normally be bound by liquid droplets.

Excess moisture in the air creates acceptable conditions for the reproduction of mold, fungi, bacteria. As a result, homeowners may experience:

  • respiratory diseases - chronic runny nose, bronchitis, asthma, allergies;
  • a feeling of stuffiness or dampness in the room;
  • unpleasant odor due to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms;
  • increasing the drying time of the washed laundry.

Excessive or insufficient moisture has a bad effect on the condition of home furnishings. Plants dry out or begin to rot, wooden furniture and parquet are deformed or “shrink”, paintings fade, paper products lose their structure.

Factors Affecting Humidity

The main factor that affects air humidity is its temperature. The warmer it is, the more water vapor it can contain as much as possible, and vice versa. But when estimating relative humidity, inverse relationship: the warmer the air, the less relative humidity with the same amount of water vapor in it. Therefore, airing in winter makes the air fresher, but less humid. Optimum temperature considered 18-22 ºC.

Water vapor from the air in the room is "taken away":

  • any heating devices;
  • air conditioner;
  • interior items, especially upholstered furniture, toys, carpets.

Any sources of water and steam lead to an increase in relative humidity:

  • aquarium;
  • houseplants;
  • wet linen;
  • containers with boiling water (pot, kettle);
  • leaking roof;
  • faulty water pipes and plumbing.

Regulatory indicators

Let's figure out what air humidity is considered normal in an apartment. It depends on the purpose of the premises and the time of year.

Humidity standards for housing:

  • warm period - 30-60%, the maximum allowable - 65% (for certain regions with high humidity, this standard can be increased to 75%);
  • cold period - 30-45%, the maximum allowable - 60%.

Relative air humidity is not standardized in auxiliary rooms - bathroom, toilet, corridor, pantry and others.

Standards for plants and interior items:

  • for furniture and antiques - 40-60%;
  • for equipment - 45-60%
  • for books - 30-65%;
  • for plants - tropical - 80-95%, subtropical - 75-80%, others - 40-70%.

What is the norm of relative humidity in the apartment where the child lives? Since the intensity of heat exchange processes is increased in young children, they are especially sensitive to non-compliance with microclimate parameters. The ideal air humidity in the children's room is 50-70%. If the child is sick with ARVI or an infectious pathology, then this parameter should not be allowed to decrease by less than 60%.


To maintain optimal humidity levels, it is often recommended to install humidifiers.

Important: During the heating season, air humidity drops to 15-20%. It must be raised, especially if there are children, asthmatics and allergies in the house.

How to measure relative humidity?

Knowing what should be the optimal humidity in the apartment, it is worth deciding how it can be measured. The most rational way is to use a special device - a hygrometer.

There are several types of device - electrical, chemical, condensation, hair and others. For an apartment, you should not buy an expensive professional device. The simplest hygrometer with an error of 3-5% is enough. Often it is combined with a clock and a thermometer. It is important to place the hygrometer away from sources of moisture and heat.

You can determine the humidity using alternative methods - a glass of water, an Assman table and a spruce cone.

Glass of water

Pour water into a glass and cool it to 3-5 ºС. To do this, just send the vessel for 3 hours in the refrigerator. Next, you need to put the glass on the table away from the battery and watch it for 5 minutes. At the same time, condensation forms on its walls due to temperature differences. Possible results:

  • the glass dried up within a few minutes - the humidity is lowered;
  • the walls remained foggy - the microclimate parameters are normal;
  • trickles of water flowed down the glass - there is too much moisture in the air.

Assmann table

The Assmann table is designed to determine humidity using a psychrometer - an instrument consisting of two thermometers - a conventional one and a humidifier. Its likeness can be made at home. You must first measure the temperature in the room with a conventional alcohol thermometer and record its value. Then you should wrap its end with a damp cloth. After 5 minutes, you need to re-measure the temperature. She should go down.

Next, you need to look at the Assmann table. The readings of the “dry” thermometer are located vertically, the temperature difference is located horizontally. Seeing the desired values, you should find their intersection. This will be the relative humidity.

fir cone

Note: Indirect signs of low indoor air humidity are the drying of the tips of the leaves of plants and electrical discharges emanating from synthetic clothing.

Humidity regulation

In any season normal humidity air in the apartment should be at least 30-40% and not higher than 65%. How to regulate it?

Ways to reduce humidity:

  • frequent ventilation of the premises;
  • installation of exhaust fans;
  • use of dehumidifiers and climate systems;
  • timely repair of water pipes and plumbing fixtures;
  • the use of heaters and air conditioners;
  • refusal to dry clothes in the room;
  • installation .
  • purchase of an aquarium or decorative fountain;
  • minimal use of heater and air conditioner;
  • hanging wet towels on batteries;
  • periodic spraying of water from a spray bottle;
  • use - steam, ultrasonic or traditional;
  • regular wet cleaning;
  • growing a large number of indoor flowers.

Humidity in the house is an important parameter that affects both the well-being of its inhabitants and interior items. Normally, this indicator is in the range from 40 to 60%. It is especially important to monitor the humidity in rooms where children spend most of their time, as well as people with respiratory diseases. To adjust the concentration of moisture in the air, it is convenient to use household humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

tweet

We have repeatedly heard: "absolute" and "relative humidity". What are these indicators? Everything is clear with the absolute value: this is the number of particles contained in one cubic meter of air. But what practical benefit will the news bring us that five units of moisture per cubic meter are invisibly present in our environment? After all, we can’t even tell if this air is dry, normal or too damp, because when different temperatures its composition is changing. After all, the atmospheric environment is like a sponge, the warmer it is, the more water vapor dissolves in it. When it gets colder (for example, on clear nights), the cold squeezes the “sponge” with an invisible hand and dew falls. And heat, in contact with a decanter of ice water, leaves “perspiration” on the glass.

So, if "5 units per cubic meter" is an absolute indicator, but relative to the ambient temperature, it can be considered dry (in the heat), normal or high (in the cold). It is more convenient to use another indicator for domestic needs, namely “relative humidity”. At a certain degree of temperature, the atmosphere can hold a certain amount of steam. If it is maximally saturated with vapours, we say that the "dampness" is 100%. This, for example, is a Russian banya, where it is hot, but it is also thick fog, and being inside a cloud at a considerable height, where it is cold. That is, the absolute amount of water in the form of steam in the bath, fog and cloud is different, but the saturation with water is the same - 100%.

And this relative humidity plays an important role in changing our well-being. Remember how hard it is to breathe and how sleepy before a thunderstorm. This environment is filled with invisible water: its fullness grows from the normal 50% to 80%. But excessive dryness also leads to problems: the body loses a lot of moisture. This is especially evident in winter in our homes.

Look: the cold penetrates the room (let's say it's 10 C outside). Even if the relative humidity outside the window is high, it is low in absolute terms (because it is cold outside). Heating up from the stove or batteries central heating, the percentage in our environment changes from high to low. If the room is + 25 C, frosty masses begin to literally suck moisture out of objects and people in the room. Wooden furniture dries out, flowers turn yellow, and people feel a tickle in their mouths, skin and hair dry out. It is not easy in such a situation for those who wear contact lenses: the eyes turn red and itch. Allergy sufferers also have a hard time - excessive dryness exacerbates the reaction to dust. Therefore, it is advised to put saucers with water near the batteries, although this is not a panacea.

To always be aware of the percentage of water vapor contained in the air, you can purchase special humidity meters called hygrometers. Indeed, in a damp environment, as you know, microbes multiply. Therefore, bursts of influenza and acute respiratory infections occur just during the periods of winter thaws, when the south wind raises the temperature and increases the “phlegm”. In the heat, when it “soars” and stuffy, the number of heart attacks increases, it is not easy for asthmatics. With high humidity, cold and heat are more difficult to bear than with dryness. The best thing for our body is 50-60% water saturation of the surrounding atmosphere.

With the help of two simple thermometers, you can build your own hygrometer. How to measure air humidity at home, without reagents? We place both thermometers in the shade, but wrap the lower part of one of them with a piece of felt soaked in water. Evaporation of moisture cools the thermometer. If the relative humidity is high, the felt dries slowly and both wet and dry thermometers show the same temperature. And if it is low, the cloth dries quickly, and the meter covered with perspiration gives lower readings.

The text of the work is placed without images and formulas.
Full version work is available in the "Files of work" tab in PDF format

INTRODUCTION

Human health directly depends on the quality and condition of the air that he breathes. After all, it affects the vital activity, performance and well-being of the human body. A survey I conducted among school students showed that the main characteristic of the air that respondents are interested in is cleanliness and few people think about the humidity of the air we breathe. But not only the state of human life depends on this factor, but also animals, plants, as well as the safety of technical objects, architectural structures, works of art. Great importance has knowledge of humidity in meteorology for weather forecasting. Food, building materials, books and even electronic components can be stored within a strictly defined range of relative humidity. Many technological processes are possible only with strict control of the content of water vapor in the air of the production room.

In my work, I propose to consider in detail, learn how to measure and regulate such an important air characteristic as humidity.

Target: The study of the influence of air humidity on human life.

Tasks:

To get acquainted with the concept of air humidity, find out on what parameters it depends, how it is calculated.

Discuss the principle of operation of devices that measure air humidity.

master different ways measurement of air humidity.

To study the influence of air humidity on human life.

Measure the air humidity in different rooms of the school and compare the obtained data with sanitary and hygienic standards.

Suggest options for normalizing air humidity.

Object of study: percentage of moisture content in the premises of the school.

Subject of study: influence of air humidity on human activity.

Research methods:

Questioning.

Working with literature and materials in the media.

Experiment.

Comparison and analysis.

Hypothesis: if you find out what parameters the air humidity depends on and learn how to regulate it, then you can create a favorable microclimate for human life.

Practical significance: formulated ways to regulate air humidity.

THEORETICAL BASIS

1.1. Physical calculations and air humidity parameters

Atmospheric air consists of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and some other gases, which make up no more than 1% of the total mass. But besides these gases, the air also contains water vapor and other impurities. Water vapor in the air is usually unsaturated. Saturated vapor is in dynamic equilibrium with its liquid. This state is characterized by the fact that the number of molecules leaving the surface of the liquid is equal, on average, to the number of vapor molecules returning to the liquid in the same time. The name of the steam - saturated - emphasizes that at a given temperature, a greater amount of steam cannot be in a given volume. If the vapor has not yet reached a state of dynamic equilibrium with the liquid, it is called unsaturated. The movement of air masses, ultimately due to the radiation of the Sun, leads to the fact that in some places on our planet in this moment evaporation of water prevails over condensation, while in others, on the contrary, condensation prevails.

Under the humidity of the air is understood the amount of water vapor, which at the moment (and in this place) is contained in air mass. To characterize the content of water vapor in the air, a number of quantities are introduced: absolute humidity, partial pressure and relative humidity.

Since atmospheric air is a mixture of various gases and water vapor, each of the gases contributes to the total pressure produced by air on the bodies in it. The pressure that water vapor would produce if all other gases were absent is called the partial pressure (or elasticity) of water vapor. The partial pressure of water vapor is taken as one of the indicators of air humidity. It is expressed in units of pressure - pascals or millimeters of mercury.

Absolute humidity (water vapor density) indicates how many grams of water vapor are actually contained in one cubic meter of a particular air mass. . O bo-knowingab-so-fierce humidity: (as well as the usual-but-ven-noe designation of density). Unitsab-so-fierce humidity: (in SI) or (for convenience, due to a small amount of water vapor content in the air). Formula you-number-le-nia ab-so-lut-moisture-no-sti:

Designation:

mass of steam (water) in air, kg (in SI) or g;

the volume of air-du-ha, in some rum the indicated mass of steam is contained,.

But this ve-li-chi-na is inconvenient from the point of view of vos-pri-im-chi-in-sti-moisture of life-you-mi-or-ga-niz-ma-mi. Oka-zy-va-et-sya, for example, a person feels not the mass content of water in the air, but the name but its content is from-no-si-tel-but mak-si-mal-but possible-no-th meaning.

To describe such a perception of such a perception, enter-de-na such a ve-li-chi-on as from-no-si-tel-naya humidity. From-no-si-tel-naya humidity of the air-du-ha - ve-li-chi-na, in-ka-zy-va-yu-shcha, how far the steam is from the sy- schen-tion. That is, ve-li-chi-on from-but-si-tel-noy humidity, in-ka-zy-va-et the following: if the steam is far from na-sy -shche-tion, then the humidity is low, if close - you are with-kaya.

Designation-che-neot-no-si-tel-noy humidity:. Units of me-re-niyaot-no-si-tel-noy humidity:%. For-mu-la you-number-le-niya from-no-si-tel-noy humidity:

Designation: density of water vapor (absolute humidity), (in SI) or, partial pressure, Pa (SI) or mm Hg. Art. - density of saturated water vapor at a given temperature, (in SI) or, saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, Pa ( SI) or mm Hg.

Thus relative humidity air is called the ratio of absolute humidity expressed as a percentage to the density of saturated vapor at a given temperature (or the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the pressure of saturated vapor at a given temperature).

The lower the relative humidity, the further the steam from saturation, the more intense the evaporation. Saturated vapor pressure at a given temperature is a tabular value. The partial pressure of water vapor (and hence the absolute humidity) is determined by the dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor becomes saturated.. When cooled below the dew point, vapor condensation begins: fog appears, dew falls, windows fog up. The dew point allows you to determine the elasticity of water vapor in the air at a certain temperature, and hence the partial pressure of water vapor and absolute humidity using tables that show the dependence of pressure and density of saturated water vapor on temperature.

The pressure of saturated water vapor at an air temperature equal to the dew point is the partial pressure of water vapor contained in the atmosphere.

1.2. Instruments for measuring air humidity

The problem of air humidity has been of interest to people since ancient times, especially where the climate is dry and hot. To solve it, the most common methods were used: cloth or paper soaked in water, dishes with liquid .. A modern device for measuring humidity is a hygrometer.

Currently, there are several versions of the hygrometer.

    hairline;

  • ceramic;

    condensation;

    electronic;

    psychrometric (psychrometer)

In fact, the principle of operation of any hygrometer is quite simple and is based on the physical or chemical properties of materials and substances.

Almost any hygrometer is suitable for domestic use, but electronic hygrometers still provide the most accurate data.

1.3. The influence of air humidity on human life

When the optimal humidity parameters change, immunity decreases. Human health is deteriorating, there is a feeling of fatigue and lethargy. At home, where the climate is changed, the natural balance of humidity is disturbed. This is especially felt in winter. It is at this time that the difference in humidity is the most significant. The air entering the room is dried due to the general heating in the rooms.

Air that is too dry can dry out the skin and dehydrate the body more quickly. First of all, mucous membranes that come into contact with open air suffer, they become covered with microcracks and dry out, opening a direct path to the body for harmful bacteria and viruses. With a relative humidity of less than 10%, even healthy people experience a feeling of dryness in the nasopharynx, “stinging” in the eyes, and nosebleeds may even begin. Dry air is especially dangerous for patients with bronchial asthma, they have a general deterioration in well-being, attacks are possible. A sufficiently long stay in dry air threatens with a decrease in immunity and frequent respiratory diseases. This happens due to the fact that the overdried mucous membrane prevents normal breathing, as a result of which the body does not receive enough oxygen.

However, dry air makes it easier to endure low and high temperatures. So, for example, with low relative humidity, summer heat is more easily tolerated than the same temperature, but in areas with high humidity. The same is true for negative temperatures. Very coldy at low humidity bring much less discomfort than a small "minus" in conditions humid air.

A large concentration of moisture does not allow the human body to maintain a normal temperature - the thermoregulation mechanism does not work properly. The human body uses sweat to cool itself. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, removes excess heat. With high humidity, the body begins to work with increased strength, and this leads to the opposite result - overheating. Lethargy, vomiting, loss of consciousness, strong blood viscosity and, as a result, heart problems are possible. It is even possible oxygen starvation of the brain.

Patients are especially sensitive to high humidity. hypertension, atherosclerosis, people with various cardiovascular diseases. With very humid air (80 ... 95%), exacerbations and attacks are possible.

High humidity combined with low temperature is dangerous for too much hypothermia and frostbite. This can also happen around 0°C, and not only at minus.

Heat saturated with moisture is ideal conditions for the development of bacteria and all kinds of fungi, which can lead to the occurrence and intensification of allergic reactions.

The constant stay of a person in rooms with high humidity leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to infectious and colds, as well as to more serious consequences: kidney disease, tuberculosis, rheumatism, etc.

Not only the human body suffers from high humidity, but also the interior of the premises. In damp places, fungus and mold develop, releasing large amounts of spores into the indoor atmosphere, contaminating the air we breathe. The danger of high humidity is in the slow rate of reactions. For many years, you can not notice the reasons for the deterioration of health, well-being and the appearance of various diseases.

However, saturated moist air is very useful. That is why a person feels good on the shore of a lake or river. Such air saturates the human body, relieving headaches and other ailments. It is no coincidence that during the holidays many people are drawn to the sea coasts.

“Correct” humidity is one of the most important microclimate criteria for a child, especially a newborn. Despite the powerful protective functions just born child, it still has especially vulnerabilities. And first of all, it is the skin, which until the moment of birth was always surrounded by amniotic fluid, and, especially, the mucous membranes.

Humid air in an infant's bedroom makes breathing easier, prevents nasal congestion, and is effective in treating bronchitis, dry coughs, croup, and other respiratory ailments.

Low humidity for adult healthy body- in most cases, this is just discomfort, for a newborn baby - a disaster that provokes dysbacteriosis, kidney problems, and the appearance of allergic reactions. Dry air for a baby is dangerous not only with temporary complications, but with their relapses, which can lead to chronic diseases.

1.4. What determines the humidity of the air

First of all, humidity depends on geographical location and climate. So, for example, near the seas and oceans, the average relative humidity is 70-80%, in the depths of the continents it decreases (in deserts - only 4-5%). A rainy climate contributes to maintaining high humidity in a geographic region, while a dry climate does the opposite.

But no less important is the technogenic factor. Humidity is usually low in big cities. However, inside the premises, it can vary significantly, based on the specifics of their purpose (laundry, kitchen, swimming pool, etc.), as well as on the type of building and finishing materials used.

It is especially necessary to monitor the condition of the air in residential and working premises in winter, when the cold atmosphere cannot retain enough moisture, and the one that is available is trying to dry out the heating radiators.

An important factor is also the presence of ventilation in an apartment, house or any other room. The more intense the air exchange, the faster the air dries out (especially in the cold season). Air conditioners that do not provide the function of maintaining humidity also intensively utilize moisture.

1.5. Instruments and devices with which you can

regulate air humidity

The dehumidifier pushes moist air through the "evaporator" where the temperature difference (the temperature in the appliance is lower than in the room) turns the moisture into condensate. Drops of condensate flow into a special container. The air is heated again and enters the room. Thus, excess moisture disappears from the room. When buying a dehumidifier, the main focus is on its performance, which is calculated in "liters per day". A household dehumidifier can absorb 12 to 300 liters of water in 24 hours. Dehumidifiers are portable and stationary. Portable can be used in different rooms. Stationary mounted in the wall and can not be moved. However, they are more efficient. The advantage of dehumidifiers is their ability to function in cold rooms, since the frost formed during operation is removed automatically. When filling the water tank and untimely emptying it, the device turns off without the participation of the owner. AT small room Moisture can be reduced by using moisture absorbers. The device includes a special tablet that adsorbs water from the air. It is designed for an area of ​​up to 20 m² on average. The inconvenience of the absorber is that the tablet needs to be changed frequently. The advantage is in the absence of noise, compactness and price. Especially the moisture absorber is suitable for those who have humidity - a seasonal phenomenon.

Humidifiers are designed to operate in one enclosed space, such as a room. They do not require special installation: all you need to do is pour water into the tank and plug the humidifier into the outlet. To select a humidifier, you need to know three main components: the volume of the room (the area multiplied by the height of the ceilings), the quality of the water (the water that you will pour into the humidifier), the conditions in which the humidifier will be operated (bedroom, office, children's room, etc.). etc.).

PRACTICAL RESEARCH

2.1. Determination of air humidity in school premises

Since students have to spend more time at school during the school year, the state of humidity in classrooms plays an important role. Based on this, I found out whether the conditions of our offices meet the sanitary standards. The measurements were carried out with an electronic hygrometer in subject rooms, in a computer class, in a canteen and in a sports hall. Measurements and readings are listed in tables.

Moisture point

Air temperature

Norm, according to SanPin

Relative Humidity

Norm, according to SanPin

Physics cabinet

Biology class

Library

Canteen

Gym

medical office

2.2 Making a psychrometric hygrometer (psychrometer)

To create an analogue of a psychrometric device, you will need: two alcohol thermometers designed to measure air temperature, distilled water, thread, cotton wool.

Set up two thermometers in a vertical position so that they are parallel to each other. Wrap the tip of one thermometer with cotton wool soaked in water, then tie it loosely with a thread. The principle of operation of such a device, assembled by oneself, is absolutely similar to the principle of operation of a psychrometric hygrometer. To calculate the relative humidity of the air, you need a special table. The difference between the dry and wet thermometer readings is used to calculate the ambient humidity.

2.3 Measurement of air humidity with improvised means

Equipment: a transparent glass beaker 200 ml, a vessel with water (temperature from 0 to 5 ° C), a vessel with hot water, a thermometer, a table of dependence of saturated water vapor pressure on temperature ..

Progress of work: Pour ice water into a transparent glass and lower the thermometer into it. After a while, the outer walls of the cup will fog up. Very slowly add hot water from the second cup until the dew on the walls disappears. Notice the temperature at which the dew has disappeared. According to the table, we determine the partial pressure of water vapor p in the classroom, then, by measuring the room temperature, we determine the maximum pressure of water vapor R 0 in class. According to the formula =(p/p 0) 100% find the relative humidity in the classroom. t \u003d 25 C, p 0 \u003d 3.17 kPa, t \u003d 15 C, p \u003d 1.71 kPa, \u003d 53%.

CONCLUSIONS

Dry thermometer readings - 25 ° С, wet - 17 ° С, difference in readings - 8 ° С, relative humidity - 44%, i.e. 1% higher than indicated by the electronic hygrometer, i.e. this self-made hygrometer gives quite accurate readings and can be used to measure humidity.

Air humidity can be measured by improvised means, for this you need the simplest equipment and a table showing the dependence of pressure and density of saturated water vapor on temperature. But this method turned out to be less accurate.

In all school premises, air humidity is within the norm, but is within the lower limit. By the end of the shift (6-7 lessons), the humidity in the classrooms rises. In offices with a lot of green spaces, the air humidity is much higher.

CONCLUSION

Water is an essential element for normal life. It enters the human body mainly with food or drink. However, a sufficient amount of moisture is necessary not only for internal organs, but also for the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Therefore, it is important not only to take the liquid inward, but also to obtain it from the surrounding moist air. For the normal well-being of people in the room, it is necessary that the optimal humidity of the air is approximately 40 to 60%.

In order to reduce the humidity in the room, you need:

1. Provide good ventilation in the room. Several times a day, it is necessary to ventilate the room where the humidity level exceeds the standard values. Arrange short drafts, but at the same time, the ventilation intensity should be high.

2. Repair all taps and other plumbing. Leaking faucets, radiators, and other structures add moisture to the air, so replace obsolete parts or repair leaking areas.

3. Reduce the number of indoor houseplants. Flowers and miniature trees increase the area of ​​evaporation of moisture in the room - water evaporates from the leaves and moist soil. Give preference to plants that are drought tolerant and reduce the total number of houseplants. 4. Organize a good space heating system. Heating in the cold season should work constantly - periodic shutdowns (for example, at night) increase the humidity of the air and contribute to the formation of dampness on the walls and ceiling.

5. Check the exhaust equipment of the room. The need to install the hood is dictated by the norms of the level of humidity - if the source of moisture is a stove with constant evaporation or a shower, then the construction of exhaust structures is simply necessary. The hood must ensure the removal of exhaust steam and regulate the level of humidity.

6. Choose the "right" finish for the walls. Considering different options for finishing walls, ceilings and floors, give preference to natural finishing materials that absorb excess moisture (drywall, wood).

7. Finish wet cleaning with dry wiping. Mopping, dusting and other chores using water should be completed with mandatory drying - walk over the surfaces with a piece of dry cloth with good absorbent properties.

8. Purchase a special device - an air dryer.

You can increase the humidity in the following ways:

1. Regularly ventilate the room, especially in wet weather, and carry out wet cleaning.

2. Houseplants moisturizing the air, distributed throughout the apartment, will reduce the problem to nothing. For example, cyperus is able to evaporate up to 3 liters per day. Yes, and the process of regular spraying of plants will also significantly help.

3. Deliver large aquarium, you can not even start the fish, but simply decorate the aquarium with decorative stones and algae.4. Arrange water reservoirs around the room, between sections of radiators or under them. It can be jugs or vases with water. You can hang wet towels or sheets on the batteries.

5. Indoor fountains not only moisturize the air well, but also decorate the interior of the room.

6. Use a special device - a humidifier. This device constantly evaporates a large amount of moisture into the air and is able to maintain optimal humidity in the room. You can buy such a device in almost any hardware store.

Practical use of the results.

Humidity is an important characteristic of the air, which has a significant impact on the quality of human life, so it is imperative to monitor the humidity in the room. A device for measuring humidity can be made independently (detailed instructions are given), methods for determining humidity are quite simple and affordable. During research work a comparative analysis of devices regulating humidity has been carried out. Detailed recommendations are given to control the humidity in the room. A study of the premises at the school showed that the humidity standards correspond to the SanPiN standards, but are within the lower limit of the norm, which can be explained by the time of the study (heating season). this work can be used in physics lessons or extracurricular activities, as well as for self-education of students.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Purysheva N.S., Vazheevskaya N.E. Physics 10. M.: Bustard, 2013.

2. V.A. Burov. Workshop on physics. M.: Enlightenment, 1973.

3. G.S. Landsberg. Elementary textbook on physics. Moscow: Nauka, 1985.

4. Katz Ts.B. Biophysics at physics lessons. M.: Education, 2004.

5. Ryzhenkov A.P. Physics. Human. Environment. M.: Education, 2006.

6. Perelman Ya.I. Entertaining physics. M.: Nauka, 2008.

7. Methodical newspaper. Physics. No. 18. M.: First of September, 2009.

8. Scientific and methodical journal. Physics at school. M.: School press, 2007. 9. Free electronic library of technical literature.

http://www.allbeton.ru/

http://uchilok.net/

11. Journal "Health and sport". http://getmedic.ru/

12. Site of the company "Inrost".

http://www.inrost.ru/humidifiers/guide/optimal/html

13. The site of the company "Legin climate".

http://www.legion-klimat.ru/

14. Site "Knower".

http://uznay-kak.ru/

15. Economy.ru website. http://echome.ru/

Attachment 1

For the first time, Cardinal N. Cuzansky tried to determine the level of humidity in the middle of the 15th century. He used a scale with wool on one side and stones on the other. At high humidity, the wool pulled them, saturated with moisture, and the arrow showed this. With increased dryness, stones were pulled.

A doctor from Venice, two hundred years later, built another hygrometer - a string one. Tensioned threads, used as a moisture meter, made a different sound when it fluctuated.

And the Duke of Tuscany made a device in the form of a vessel. The conical vessel was filled with ice, moisture condensed on the outside of the glass and flowed into the measuring glass (the vessel was turned upside down). Everything would be fine, but where to get ice in the summer?

Amonton Guillaume, a mechanic from France, made a hygrometer from a leather ball. The volume of the ball changed, in the tube connected to it, the level of the liquid column changed.

In the 18th century, the Swiss B. Saussure took up the manufacture of a hygrometer seriously and for a long time. After trying many materials, he settled on hair. Boiling them in a soda solution, Saussure made a hygrometer. Created a centigrade scale, The length of the hair changed with changes in air humidity.

This phenomenon was studied in 1895 by B. I. Sreznevsky, a meteorologist, and deduced the dependence of hair elongation on the percentage of humidity. The elongation turned out to be directly proportional to the logarithm of the relative humidity.

Annex 2

Hair hygrometer

Hair hygrometers work on the basis of normal hair and its properties. Hair can change its length at different humidity levels. It is stretched on a plate or frame and, lengthening or shortening, moves the arrow, which in turn moves along the scale of the device.

A hair hygrometer is good for home use if you don't need to get extremely accurate readings.

Also, they should not be moved or mechanically acted upon in any other way. At the slightest impact, the hygrometer can fail, since its entire design is quite fragile and delicate.

Weight hygrometer

An absolute weight hygrometer consists of several tubes brought into the system. They contain a hygroscopic substance that can absorb moisture from the air.

A certain portion of air is drawn through the entire system, taken at one point in space.

So, a person determines the mass of the tube system before and after passing air through it, as well as directly the volume of air carried out and, with simple mathematical manipulations, can calculate the studied indicator in absolute terms.

Mechanical (ceramic) hygrometer

A porous or solid ceramic mass, which also includes metal elements, has electrical resistance. Its level is directly dependent on humidity.

For its correct action, the ceramic mass must consist of some metal oxides. Kaolin, silicon and clay are used as the basis.

Condensation hygrometer

This hygrometer is quite easy to use. The principle of its operation is based on the use of a built-in mirror. The temperature of this mirror changes along with the temperature of the air in the surrounding space.

Its temperature is determined at the initial moment of measurement. Further, drops of moisture or small ice crystals appear on the surface of the mirror. The temperature is measured again.

With the help of the temperature difference determined by the condensation hygrometer, the humidity of the air is determined.

Electronic hygrometer

A layer of lithium chloride is applied to a plate of glass or other similar electrically insulating material.

Humidity changes - the concentration and resistance of lithium chloride increases or decreases.

It is worth noting that the readings of an electronic (electrolytic) hygrometer can be slightly affected by air temperature, so it is often equipped with a built-in thermometer.

Such a hygrometer is extremely accurate and gives readings with a minimum error.

Psychrometric hygrometer (psychrometer)

The psychrometer is a system of two conventional alcohol thermometers. One of them is dry, and the second is wet (this state is regularly maintained).

The faster the moisture evaporates, the lower the relative humidity. The condensed liquid then begins to cool. Thus, the difference between the temperatures of two thermometers and the rate of evaporation are established, and on their basis the humidity of the air is found.

The psychrometer is not a hygrometer in the literal sense, but it measures the same indicator, so they are often identified.

Appendix 3

Types and characteristics of air humidifiers:

1. "Traditional" or cold-type humidifiers are the simplest. Such devices are equipped with a tank into which water is poured, then it enters the tray on special moisturizing replaceable cartridges. The fan, which is built into such a humidifier, drives air through these cartridges and humidifies it naturally.

Most models of traditional humidifiers can also be used for aromatherapy. For this, a capsule with an aromatic substance is simply installed, and the device, while working, slowly begins to release and maintain a pleasant aroma. Such a procedure will not only improve the microclimate in the room, but will also have a tonic, relaxing and healing effect on the body.

But with all the ease of use and low cost, such humidifiers have their drawbacks. First of all, this is a limited maximum level of air humidity, up to 60% in total. Such devices, as it were, maintain “natural” humidity, but do not saturate the air forcibly. It is worth noting that for an ordinary apartment this drawback is very conditional. In addition, they are noisy, 35-40 dB are small numbers, but if you leave the device on overnight, it may cause discomfort for some.

Pros:

Quite simply, plus everything, there is also air purification from dust.

Small cost.

Easy to operate.

Can be used for aromatherapy.

Minuses:

Noise at work.

Limited hydration options.

Periodic filter change.

2. Steam humidifiers- these are a kind of small "trains", and according to the principle of operation they resemble electric kettles. You pour water into them, it heats up, boils and comes out in the form of steam, moistening the room. These humidifiers have many pros and cons.

Pros:

Works great with dirty and very hard water.

Possibility of use for inhalation (some models have special nozzles in the configuration).

High productivity (from 7 to 16 liters per day).

No consumables.

Humidification above 60%.

The possibility of using any solutions, including aroma oils.

Minuses:

High noise level.

High power consumption (from 300 to 600 W).

Hot burning steam (50-60 degrees at the exit).

Big sizes.

Perhaps the formation of white plaque on the furniture.

If you have small children or animals in your house, and you have not yet decided which humidifier to choose, then steam is not the best idea, because such a device can burn with steam.

3. The most modern air humidifiers can be called ultrasonic. They are equipped with a special membrane, which, thanks to the high frequency of oscillation, easily “turns” water into cold steam.

Such devices are practically silent in operation (25 dB), here it is possible to regulate the required level of humidity by yourself, and this is done both automatically and manually thanks to the built-in hygrometer. Many ultrasonic humidifiers come with a hygrometer that measures the humidity level, but unfortunately it doesn't give an accurate picture, so don't trust it too much, it's better to get a separate hygrometer for more reliable data.

Some models are equipped with a “water heating” function, and this is a death sentence for many microbes. A very good option, but keep in mind that "many" does not mean that all.

Ultrasonic devices are much more comfortable for a person than their counterparts, steam and traditional, as they have a low noise level.

The only thing that can cause discomfort is the rare “gurgling” of the cartridge, from which air bubbles come out.

Many models of such devices automatically turn off when the water disappears, and the built-in hygrometer will allow the device to turn on and off on its own, thereby maintaining the desired humidity level, and the rotating spray can be directed in the right direction.

Such devices are equipped with a highly efficient cartridge filter that purifies water from various impurities and minerals, thereby preventing the formation of white deposits on furniture and other items, as is the case with the use of steam and traditional humidifiers. But the service life of the filters is short, about 3 months, depending on the contamination and hardness of the water, after which replacement is required.

Such devices, depending on the model, are equipped with either touch buttons or a rotary knob. Separately, it must be said about the safety of such devices for any living beings. Ultrasonic radiation is aimed at splitting water and is completely harmless to any biological life forms that live in your home.

Pros:

Noiseless at work.

Automatic humidity control.

Automatic shutdown in the absence of water.

Safety for animals in the house.

Automatic purification of water from impurities.

Wide range of humidity.

The ability to direct steam in any direction.

Do not leave a white coating on furniture.

Minuses:

More thorough care of the device.

The need to replace filter cartridges.

Price.

Appendix 4

Psychometric table

Appendix 5

Dependence of pressure and density of saturated water vapor on temperature

Temperature t, °С

Pressure pH, kPa

Densityρ n, g / m 3

Temperature t, °С

Pressure pH, kPa

Densityρ n, g / m 3

We recommend reading

Top