Working environment factors
How does humidity affect workers’ health?
Apr
When it comes to the working environment, humidity is often a significant factor affecting workers’ health. An environment that is too dry or too humid not only causes discomfort for workers but can also lead to various health issues, ranging from respiratory problems to psychological effects.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the impact of humidity on workers’ health and ways to address this issue to protect health and increase labor productivity.
1. What is Humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor invisible in the air. In a working environment, when people talk about humidity, they usually refer to relative humidity (RH%).
Absolute humidity (Ha): the amount of water vapor in the air, measured in grams/m³ at a specific temperature and time.
Maximum humidity (Hm) – or saturated humidity: the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold, measured in grams/m³.
Relative humidity is the percentage (%) ratio between absolute humidity and maximum humidity.
Humidity is a measurement that indicates the amount of water vapor in the air or another substance. It represents how wet or dry the environment is. Humidity is calculated based on the ratio between the actual amount of water vapor in the air and the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at the same temperature.
2. Sources of Humidity Inside Manufacturing Plants
In manufacturing plants, humidity can arise from various sources, including:
- Production processes such as drying, cooking, absorption, or spraying water can create humidity in the air.
- Machinery and equipment in the plant, such as air compressors, air conditioners, or dryers, can also generate humidity in the air.
- Workers’ activities, such as breathing, sweating, or bringing in outside air, can contribute to increasing humidity in the workplace.
- Humidity from the outside environment can also affect the indoor working environment through doors, windows, and ventilation systems.
- If the air conditioning system is not properly designed or operated, it can increase indoor humidity.
To minimize humidity in manufacturing plants, managers should implement measures such as controlling production processes, performing regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment, and installing air conditioning systems.
3. Industries Where Humidity Can Pose Health Risks to Workers
Industries where humidity can pose health risks to workers include:
- Food processing: production processes such as cooking, absorption, drying, or spraying water…
- Garment industry: workers often work in high-humidity environments due to washing, drying, and ironing equipment…
- Agriculture: activities such as planting, harvesting, or processing agricultural products…
- Chemical manufacturing: processes such as mixing, absorption…
- Wood industry: wood treatment processes can generate high humidity and pose health risks to workers.
These industries require special measures to control workplace humidity, protect health, and improve labor productivity.
4. How Humidity Affects Workers’ Comfort
Humidity in the environment is an important factor affecting workers’ comfort and work performance. Air humidity can create health and general comfort effects for people in the workplace. Below are some of the main impacts of humidity on workers’ comfort:
- Humidity can affect how hot or cold a worker feels. High humidity makes it difficult for the body to release heat, causing discomfort. Conversely, low humidity can dry the skin and cause itching. Prolonged exposure to low-humidity environments can lead to dry, cracked skin and dermatitis.
- Impact on respiratory health: excessive humidity can promote the growth of bacteria, mold, and allergens. This can lead to respiratory problems such as rhinitis, coughing, bronchitis, and colds.
- Inappropriate humidity can reduce work performance. When workers feel uncomfortable due to high or low humidity, their concentration and productivity may be negatively affected.
To create an ideal and comfortable working environment, businesses and production facilities need to ensure that indoor air humidity meets QCVN 26:2016/BYT – Permissible microclimate values in the workplace using air conditioning and ventilation systems.
5. Safe Humidity Levels Allowed in Manufacturing Plants
According to QCVN 26:2016/BYT National Technical Regulation on Microclimate – Permissible microclimate values in the workplace
| Type of Worker | Air Humidity (%) |
| Light | 40 to 80 |
| Moderate | 40 to 80 |
| Heavy | 40 to 80 |
6. Occupational Diseases from Long-Term Exposure to Harmful Humidity
Long-term exposure to inappropriate humidity can cause occupational diseases affecting workers’ health, such as:
- High humidity and wet environments promote mold growth. Continuous exposure to moldy air can cause fungal pneumonia, including coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and fatigue.
- High or low humidity combined with exposure to irritants can cause dermatitis, leading to itching, redness, swelling, and scaling of the skin.
- Exposure to high humidity and allergens such as mold, bacteria, and chemicals can cause allergic rhinitis, with symptoms including runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
- High humidity and irritants can cause bronchitis, with symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and respiratory infections.
To prevent occupational diseases from harmful humidity, it is important to maintain an ideal workplace humidity and comply with safety and industrial hygiene regulations.
7. Measures to Reduce the Impact of Humidity on Workers’ Health
To minimize the impact of humidity on workers’ health, the following measures are important:
- Ensure ideal humidity by using air conditioning or air purifiers to maintain suitable humidity in the workspace.
- Ensure proper ventilation to provide fresh air and help control humidity. Use fans and windows to enhance airflow in the workspace.
- In high-humidity environments, use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity. Place dehumidifiers where humidity is highest to control the air.
- Regular cleaning to remove mold, bacteria, and other irritants. Use deodorizing and air-cleaning products to reduce odors and improve air quality.
- Workers should be fully equipped with personal protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and gloves to avoid direct exposure to airborne irritants.
- Training for workers: Workers need training on health protection measures when working in high- or low-humidity environments so they can protect themselves effectively.
- Periodically conduct workplace environmental monitoring in factories, collect and analyze harmful factors affecting workers, and adjust measures to prevent occupational diseases.
These measures help reduce the impact of humidity on workers’ health and improve their work performance.
8. National Labor Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet Labor Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring labor environment quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced environment monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measurement equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR LABOR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking labor environment issues. With the motto “customer-centered,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all needs, and committing to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, equipment, and personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become a reputable unit in labor environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our services.
- We provide our customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- Together with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers, aiming to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field, along with the best cost incentives.
9. Labor Environment Monitoring Service Pricing
To help businesses conduct labor environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a pricing table for labor environment monitoring services that is high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our pricing table provides detailed information on the costs of the monitoring services we offer, including costs for travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting. Customers can be assured of the accuracy and reliability of our monitoring reports.
- We are committed to offering competitive and reasonable prices and are always ready to provide professional consultation and answer questions about monitoring services promptly.
- With Nam Viet’s pricing table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to providing the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
