Imagine the Sahara Desert or Death Valley, notorious for their dryness. Now, picture that same dryness level but at 35,000 feet in the air. This is the reality for pilots during long-haul flights, where the Relative Humidity (RH) can drop to a staggering 3%. Such extreme conditions pose a significant health risk, with dehydration of the mucous membranes impairing the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, leading to a weakened immune system. Dry air doesn’t just affect the body; it impacts the mind, with fatigue setting in, reducing alertness and compromising safety.
It was proved that a 1 percent decrease in relative humidity was associated with a 7-8 percent increase in cases of COVID-19 infections. // Michael P. Ward, Shuang Xiao, Zhijie Zhang University of Sydney and Fudan University
