低濕度及其對航空防禦係統的影響

鼻子和喉嚨是我們身體的第一道防線，違反我們呼吸的空氣中的汙染物和微生物。他們的工作是在進入我們呼吸係統的更敏感的部分之前過濾，加濕和加熱空氣，並對我們真正的傷害。

A central part of this defence mechanism is a layer of tiny hair-shaped structures, called cilia, inside our respiratory tract and a thin membrane of mucous that covers them. Airborne pollutants, such as particles, allergens, viruses and bacteria, are captured by this sticky mucous membrane and removed from the air. The mucous layer traps and clears most potential intruders into our airways and serves as a defensive "moving carpet lift".

微小的纖毛以每秒次數來回鞭打，以將粘液運送及其貨物對我們的喉嚨。然後吞下或咳出，因此被摧毀或呈現無害。

If the air we are breathing in is below 40%RH (relative humidity) over a prolonged period of time, this mucous membrane layer dries out. This can cause damage to the cilia, inhibits our ability to filter pollutants from the air we breathe and leave us susceptible to airborne infection.

Optimal humidity aids mucociliary clearance

Mucous membranes in our respiratory tract trap airborne pollutants and tiny cilia transport them to our pharynx, where they are swallowed or coughed out.

Airway infographic diagram for Mucociliary Clearance

Low humidity dries our mucous membranes leaving us prone to airborne infection

In low humidity environments below 40%RH our mucous membranes dry and this "mucociliary clearance" process is impaired. This leaves us more susceptible to airborne infections, like the flu or common cold.

Scientific studies showing how dry air affects our airway defence system

kudo 2019.

這種耶魯研究表明，低濕度降低了免疫係統對流感病毒的防禦。

Ritzel G 1966

Study of child absenteeism due to colds from two kindergartens with different humidity levels

綠色g 1975.

Absenteeism was monitored in Canadian schools, alongside %RH, to see if any correlation existed between humidity and illness.

Sale C 1972

Study of respiratory infections in nursery/kindergarten school children (2.5-6yrs) in humidified and non-humidified buildings.

Gelperin A 1973

Study of respiratory illness in Army recruits accommodated in barracks with and without humidity control.

Green G. 1981

Monitored staff absenteeism across three hospitals alongside their indoor humidity levels.

Ewert G 1965

觀察性研究追蹤人鼻子內部的時間長度以不同水平的空氣濕度行駛2mm。

Taylor S, Hugentobler W. 2016

Studied the correlation between environmental conditions in patients' rooms and the occurrence of healthcare associated infections.

Salah等1988

展示幹燥空氣如何影響我們的粘液清除，這是我們對空氣傳播感染的呼吸係統的主要防禦。