INMET continues to warn of low relative humidity levels, below 12%
The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) continues to warn of low levels of relative humidity, below 12%, in some regions of the Brazilian Northeast, with a risk of forest fires and health problems. In summary, air humidity indicates the amount of water – in the form of vapor – existing in the atmosphere at a given moment, compared to the maximum total that could exist at that temperature.
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal air humidity for our health varies from 50% to 80%. In winter, for example, this value tends to approach 30%, generating a series of complications for human health. But the dry climate does not only exist in the cold months of the year. Places with dry months or that suffer from wildfires – such as the North, Northeast and Mid-West – may face this problem year-round.
Low levels of humidity in the air increase the concentration of pollutants, significantly increasing the cardiac risk of vulnerable people. The absence of humidity makes the bronchi more closed, making it difficult for blood to flow to the lungs, forcing the heart to pump. In this case, the blood can become thicker, blocking the vessels, causing high blood pressure or increasing the risk of stroke.
This unfavorable climatic condition also causes the mucous membranes of the airways to dry out, facilitating the onset of symptoms and pathologies affecting the respiratory tract. In addition to dehydration of the body – one of the most frequent effects – which leads to dry skin, dermatitis and irritation.
According to the Ministry of Health, low air humidity requires attention, especially for people who already have a health problem, and some of the relevant recommendations consist of: high fluid intake; wash your eyes and nose regularly with saline solution; avoid doing physical activity between 10am and 5pm; choose to eat healthy foods; use sunscreen to protect and hydrate your skin; avoid crowds; use humidifiers or spread buckets of water around the house; keep the house clean and ventilated; avoid prolonged exposure in air-conditioned environments; and do not burn waste and/or brushwood to avoid harming people’s health or causing fires.
Source: Terra
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