Indoor Humidity May Reduce the Risk of Contracting the Novel Coronavirus

It has been almost seven weeks since the World Health organization was informed by the Chinese health authorities regarding the novel Coronavirus outbreak. The scientists throughout the world are using the data available about this outbreak in order to develop methods for the detection of this SARS-like Coronavirus.

Condair study has revealed that indoor humidification may be used as an approach to prevent this viral infection from spreading and decreasing the risk of illness caused by it. The flu-like symptoms, like dyspnea (difficulty in breathing) or coughing, can be observed in the individuals infected by this deadly virus.

Lung X-rays have also revealed that severe pneumonia caused by this viral infection can lead to the death of an individual. Among the total cases affected by this Coronavirus outbreak, 58 percent have found to catch this virus from exposure to the hospital environment.

The researchers have also made efforts to find that for how long this SARS-like Coronavirus can survive in the air as infectious droplets or on inanimate surfaces. Dr. Walter Hugentobler has been working as a general physician at FMH. Whereas, Dr. Stephanie Taylor, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, is the chief executive officer at Taylor Healthcare Commissioning, Inc. and belongs to the group of Condair Medical Advisors.

They stated that both a lower humidity level (30 percent) and lower temperature (almost 6°C), may increase the time for which this novel Coronavirus can survive in the air or on some of the inanimate surfaces.

Moreover, the researchers have also observed an increase in the survival period at moderate temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. But this scenario may be observed only in case of the dry air. In contrast to lower or moderate temperatures that increase the virus’s survival time, a very high temperature of more than 30°C may inactivate the coronavirus.

RELATED: Coronavirus has Killed 722 People So far Including First Non-Chinese Case

This change in temperature may provide an explanation about the repeated epidemics of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the winter season of the Arabian Peninsula. This Condair study has observed that the behavior of this novel Coronavirus is quite identical to the MERS when observed with reference to temperature and humidity.

The study findings have also found that indoor environment with the air temperature of 20 to 24 Celsius (68 – 75 Fahrenheit) can be ideal for SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) survival in the air and on the surfaces.

Hugentobler added that indoor humidification of air may act as an appropriate approach to protect people from this viral infection. This approach can prevent this SARS-like Coronavirus from spreading and lower the chances of people from getting infected here.

It was also observed that increasing the level of humidification in the air may lead to a decrease in the odds of this viral infection in hospitals by improving a body’s immune system. The analysis of the Coronavirus has also revealed climatic conditions as a part of this epidemic.

Though a person can’t control his outdoor environment, managing indoor humidification of the air can decrease this viral disease by regulation of the critical indoor air factors, such as air exchange rate and fresh air, humidity, temperature, fresh air content, and air exchange rate.