February 20, 2023
Decrease employee absense with humidification
Do you see a spike in employee absense during winter-time?
Humidity control does not only benefit your production, but also your employees. Having the right level of humidity benefits the well-being of your employees and reduces the risk of viruses spreading. This can greatly reduce the employee absence during the wintertime especially.
Humidity and virus spread
Studies have shown that the spread of virus is double as much at a humidity level below 30% compared to one above 60%. This is because droplets of a person who coughs will travel much further at a lower humidity level compared to a higher one. Companies who invested in humidity control systems have experienced a decrease in employee absence by as much as 50% during the wintertime.
Humidity and the immune system
Not only does cold weather lower immune system response levels, but dry air does too. The nose is the body’s first defense against virus attacks. The nose is protecting its gates by a line of tiny hair-shaped structures which is covered by a thin membrane of mucous. If the air we breath is too dry (below 40% humidity) this mucous can dry out. This will leave the hairs worse off to do their job of protecting the body against intruders.
As our largest organ, our skin is also an important part of our immune system. Our skin tends to become more dry during the winter months when humidity levels drop. Dry skin will lose its protective barrier, which means that the body becomes less able to withstand infections and other harmful entrants.
Humidity and allergy
Hay fever and other allergies can be invalidating during the pollen season. The common symptoms are swollen eyes, a sore throat and a runny nose. While humidity control cannot cure these symptoms completely, it can have a significant effect. In an environment with low humidity, the fluid that hydrates your bronchial tubes can quickly evaporate. This will make your airways irritated. Breathing in air with a higher humidity level is one way to relieve the discomfort and symptoms of allergies.
In addition to allergies, humidification also has a positive effect on bronchitis and asthma and other respiratory illnesses. On the other hand, a too hot and humid environment is often breeding ground for dust mites and mold. This is why the ideal humidity level lies between 40-60% for indoor climates.
All in all, humidification control has many health benefits which can lead to a significant reduction in employee absense and improve the satisfaction of employees.
Humidification systems
The humidity rate in the air is not something you can easily control. However, with the right humidification equipment, it is possible to maintain the right level at all times. If you are looking for a humidification control system, you and your employees can profit from the multiple health benefits it provides and reduce employee absense.
Our AKIMist®“E” Dry Fog humidifier allows you to reach the relative humidity adapted to your needs. It is already being used in several industries to control humidity levels.