Indoor temperature and humidity in New York City apartments during winter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Concerns about indoor residential humidity have largely centered on dampness prevention. Overly dry air, however, may favor the survival of some viruses and hence respiratory infections. Many residents employ portable humidifiers to humidify their home environment, yet the effect of these humidifiers on indoor humidity is not known.

Methods

We monitored indoor temperature and humidity in 34 apartments in New York City during winter 2014-2015. We combined information from the monitors with surveyed information on building, household, and apartment-level factors and with information on household humidifier use. Using multilevel regression models, we investigated the role of these factors on indoor absolute humidity levels during the winter.

Results

Mean indoo

SUBMITTER: Quinn A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5331943 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature