A study conducted in 2013, published in the academic journal Plos One, found that a 43 percent increase in humidity drastically decreases the number of airborne germs and viruses in a given environment. With low humidity, researchers noted 70 to 77 percent of viruses could be transmitted orally; whereas, in high humidity, the transmission rate fell to 14 percent.
Because of such findings, when we think of indoor humidity, we often relate it to our own respiratory and epidermal (dreaded dry skin) health. However, low humidity affects much more than just living things. It can also wreak havoc on the furniture in our homes.
How Low Humidity Hurts Wood
Overly dry air can cause wood floors and furnishings to warp, peel or split. This includes musical instruments, pool tables, fine art and other wooden fixtures. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it acts like a sponge in that it loses or gains moisture based on its environmental conditions.
As wood loses moisture, it begins to contract. Consequently, it grows more brittle. Adding a humidifier to the home can regulate moisture in the air, protecting all wooden furnishings from undergoing significant compositional changes. The more consistent the moisture levels, the less chance of warping or cracking.
Humidity and Indoor Greenery
Interestingly, humidity also affects houseplants. In low humidity conditions, plants sweat out moisture at a faster rate. Since the soil becomes dryer and less nutritious too, the plants cannot reabsorb moisture fast enough. To protect the remaining moisture, plants shutdown their pours and, as a result, the leaves eventually wither and sag.
