Exploring the influence of relative humidity on human health in buildings

Brian Gilligan, Casey Lindberg, Kelli Canada, Bijan Najafi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Comfort standards for relative humidity (RH) in buildings have relaxed over the past 30 years and there is no consensus on the need for a lower limit. Our study, Wellbuilt for Wellbeing (Wellbuilt), is the first to track RH and objective measures of stress and sleep quality. Individuals in four adequately-performing office buildings wore stress monitors for three consecutive days and two nights. RH, temperature (T), and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors were measured in their workplace. Participants who spent most of their workday in conditions outside the 30-60% RH range set in ASHRAE 55-1989 experienced 22% higher stress on average. Though they cannot establish causation, our data suggest evidence of an “optimal range” for RH and a role for sensor networks in supporting occupant health.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Electronic)9781713826514
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Jul 22 2018Jul 27 2018

Publication series

Name15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018

Conference

Conference15th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period7/22/187/27/18

Keywords

  • Distributed sensor networks
  • Dry air
  • Relative humidity
  • Sleep quality
  • Stress response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution

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