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A recently published scientific study¹ by Yale University has shown that breathing air with a low humidity reduces our immune system’s capability to fight off flu infections. The research results showed that using humidifiers in the winter to increase the moisture content of air in occupied buildings, such as offices, schools and hospitals, is a potential strategy to reduce the seasonal impact of flu on society.

It is estimated that in the UK influenza causes six million working days to be lost every year, accounts for 400,000 GP consultations, 600 deaths directly and an estimated 10,000 further deaths from flu-related causes. Even though many scientific studies, such as the recent one from Yale, have shown the importance of humidity in relation to combatting flu, no legal requirement exists in the UK for public or commercial buildings to maintain a minimum indoor humidity level for health.

The Yale study, carried out in the laboratory of Dr Akiko Iwasaki, used mice that respond to flu in a similar way to humans. The mice were infected with flu and kept in either low humidity or mid-level humidity conditions. Their physical reactions to the flu virus were then examined, including weight loss, temperature changes, their ability to clear the virus from their respiratory system and heal resultant inflammation, and ultimately their mortality rate.

The scientists found that the mice kept in low humidity (10-20%RH) suffered a much worse disease course than the mice kept in mid-level humidity (50%RH). They suffered more rapid and greater weight loss, were unable to maintain a normal body temperature and experienced a higher mortality rate.

Dr Iwasaki commented, “What we found was that low humidity impairs the ability of the respiratory tract, lung and nose to get rid of the flu virus. In the airway cells, hair-like projections called cilia, are constantly moving inhaled particles along to get rid of them. However, in low humidity we found that this cilia movement, as well as particle removal, was impaired. This is particularly important for people who are very susceptible such as the very young infant or the older person over 65, as mortality from flu mostly occurs in this age group.”

The researchers also observed that low humidity reduces the ability of cells in the lungs, damaged by flu, to repair themselves. A third effect of low humidity identified in this study, was that infected cells stopped signalling for help from neighbouring cells. The ability to recruit additional immune cells to fight invading viruses or bacteria is an essential part of the body’s natural defence system, and is key to limiting disease from infections.

Commenting on the study, Dave Marshall-George, UK Sales Manager at humidity control specialist, Condair, said, “This study is yet further evidence for a regulatory minimum humidity level to be set for public places to reduce the impact of seasonal flu. It is relatively simple to maintain a healthy indoor humidity of 40-60%RH in public buildings using commercial humidification systems. However, unlike temperature, humidity is not easily perceivable by occupants. This results in building operators saving money by not installing, or even turning off, their humidifiers and allowing indoor humidity to drop dangerously low in the winter.”

Dave continues, “The problem is compounded by legislation that requires building operators to reduce energy consumption. Building owners and designers are forced to minimise building services to become more efficient. However, the result is necessary services, such as humidity control, are being sacrificed at the expense of occupant health. Given the massive impact that flu has on society, both on the economy and the health service, it is time the governing bodies took notice of the science and introduced minimum indoor humidity levels.”

Commenting on the results of the study, Dr Stephanie Taylor, Infection Control Consultant at Harvard Medical School and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, said, “Dr. Iwasaki’s research shows that balanced humidification increases our overall immune defences and therefore can be applied to both viral and bacterial diseases, not limited to seasonal influenza. This study clearly shows the need to maintain indoor relative humidity at 40–60% in homes, schools, offices, hospitals, aeroplanes and all other occupied spaces.

“ASHRAE must recognize this excellent study as evidence to support a minimum RH level in occupied commercial buildings.” Dr Stephanie Taylor concludes.

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidification and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair plc, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

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The new Kinedo Kinepsace range of elegant and discrete shower cubicles from Saniflo UK is designed to make fitting shower enclosures swift and easy, while delivering a high-quality product with a 10-year warranty. Available in four sizes, chrome profiles feature across the range with some versions also available in statement black or ‘on trend’ copper. Numerous configurations are possible including quadrant, recessed and corner options with pivot or sliding doors whilst fixed panels enable customisation for extra flexibility. At two metres high with 6mm or 8mm glass, some Kinespace enclosures feature an optional central frosted panel on the glass.

Cleaning and maintenance is also simple, thanks to the anti-limescale treated glass and the hinge, which creates a gap between the glass and the door opening, helps to ensure the Kinespace looks and stays pristine for longer. The hinge fitting also creates more space for a wider entry into the enclosure.

Installation is both quick and easy thanks to the innovative Kineclip. A really useful feature, the Kineclip holds the shower door in place enabling the installer to use both hands to screw the rest of the unit together. Assembly and adjustment of the profiles is also simple and can be achieved with just one turn of an Allen key!

Sizes range between 700 and 1200mm and for larger showers, an additional fixed panel can also be used. The additional fixed panel has 450mm pivot section and is available transparent or with a central frosted panel in sizes of 400 or 600mm. Three chrome support bar options are available.

A brand new Kinedo Shower Enclosure brochure is now available for download from www.kinedo.co.uk or hard copies can be sent by post by filling in the contact form online.

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The Sanipump from Saniflo is a submersible black water pump for use with bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms and is ideal for waste water and sewage disposal from underground pits and tanks. It can also be used for grey water when pumping away from a pit or flood water situation.

An easy product to install, the compact pump is delivered ready to use and can be quickly deployed in domestic and commercial applications where the maximum immersion depth requirement is 5m or less. The Sanipump is small on size and weight – just 13kgs – yet big on performance with a flow rate of up to 11 m³/hour and a maximum discharge height of 14m.The highly efficient and productive unit is powered by a 1500 watt automatic motor and activated by a float system. Waste can be discharged through 40 or 50mm pipework from a range of appliances including a toilet, basin, bath, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, sink and external drainage areas.

Two models are available – the first has a macerator pump with high performance robust cutting blades to prevent clogging and the second version features Vortex technology that can pump away waste without the need to macerate. Both have thermal overload protection as standard.

For more information please visit www.saniflo.co.uk

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