Benefits
Controlled humidity between 40% and 60% prevents the tear film from evaporating and prevents eye irritation and discomfort.
Fewer complaints
Controlled humidity protects the eyes from irritation and conjunctivitis.
Higher performance
Improved productivity, concentration and well-being with optimized humidity.
Employer of choice
Workplace health promotion makes employers attractive.
Prevent dry eyes with optimal humidity
Humidity reduces eye diseases
Air that is too dry can be very stressful for the eyes and often leads to symptoms such as swollen eyelids, redness, burning, increased sensitivity to light and inflammation of the conjunctiva. The main cause of this is insufficient lubrication of the surface of the eye with tear fluid. An intact tear film protects the surface of the eye from dust and particles.
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye diseases. The condition, also known as Sicca-Syndrome, is exacerbated by external factors such as low humidity, dust and draughts, as these reduce the protective tear film on the eyes.
It is particularly important to ensure an optimal indoor climate when working frequently at a computer. A controlled humidity level of between 40% and 60% is ideal for protecting the function of the tear film and preventing dryness.
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye diseases. The condition, also known as Sicca-Syndrome, is exacerbated by external factors such as low humidity, dust and draughts, as these reduce the protective tear film on the eyes.
It is particularly important to ensure an optimal indoor climate when working frequently at a computer. A controlled humidity level of between 40% and 60% is ideal for protecting the function of the tear film and preventing dryness.
Dry air weakens the tear film
Low humidity affects the production and quality of the tear film. Dry eyes are caused not only by a reduced quantity of tear fluid, but also by changes in its composition. The tear film consists of several layers: directly on the eye is a mucous layer that ensures that the watery main layer of the tear fluid does not evaporate or run off too quickly.
The goblet cells of the conjunctiva are responsible for producing the protective mucus. If the relative humidity drops below 30%, the cell density of these goblet cells decreases significantly. This results in less mucus being produced and jeopardises the stability of the watery part of the tear fluid.
Excessively low humidity therefore not only leads to accelerated evaporation of the tear film, but also to reduced mucus production.
The goblet cells of the conjunctiva are responsible for producing the protective mucus. If the relative humidity drops below 30%, the cell density of these goblet cells decreases significantly. This results in less mucus being produced and jeopardises the stability of the watery part of the tear fluid.
Excessively low humidity therefore not only leads to accelerated evaporation of the tear film, but also to reduced mucus production.
Contact lenses and humidity
Contact lenses react to the humidity in the air around them because they themselves have a certain water content, which varies between 30 and 80 percent depending on the type of lens. Lenses with a higher water content need to absorb moisture from their surroundings, otherwise they dry out more quickly. In dry air, contact lenses release more moisture, which also causes the tear film on the eye to dry out more quickly. This results in a shorter wearing time for the contact lenses and discomfort, such as scratching and burning in the eye.
Regulated humidity, ideally between 40% and 60%, helps contact lenses retain their moisture and reduces strain on the eye. Measures such as the use of humidifiers help to optimise the indoor climate and humidity for contact lens wearers.
Regulated humidity, ideally between 40% and 60%, helps contact lenses retain their moisture and reduces strain on the eye. Measures such as the use of humidifiers help to optimise the indoor climate and humidity for contact lens wearers.
Middle aqueous layer
The largest layer of the tear film is the Aqueous layer excreted from the Lacrimal gland. Insufficient humidity affects the thickness and function of the tear film.
Outer lipid layer
The outer Lipid layer is slightly oily, excreted from the Meibomian gland, lubricates the eye lid movement and inhibits evaporation of the Aqueous layer.
Inner mucous layer
The inner Mucous layer, excreted from the Conjunctival goblet cells, holds the tear film to the eye. If the humidity is too low, the goblet cells produce less mucus.
Preventive measures against dry eyes are beneficial in many industries and applications
Discover Condair in action
ADAC Center, Munich
In March 2012, ADAC™s new headquarters officially opened for business after six years of construction. Since December 2011, the office has been home to some 2,400 employees in over 100 professions, who were previously spread out across seven different locations. Bringing them all together in one place will encourage innovative ways of working, improve the speed of business processes, and simplify member services.
Bauhaus
The Bauhaus in Dessau is considered the home of modern 20th century architecture. The building was opened in 1926 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, together with the Bauhaus site in Weimar.First it was built as a university according to the plans of Walter Gropius. In the meantime it has become the headquarters of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation. The design of the building, which for the first timerelied predominantly on steel and glass, had a lasting impact on the architecture of the last century.The focus is on the principles of functionalism combined with outstanding architectural quality. Condair CP3 steam humidifiers ensure a pleasant interior climate.
Allianz-Arena, Munich
The Allianz Arena was one of the most controversial construction projects, even prompting a public vote by Munich citizens. It has since become a central landmark in northern Munich and an architectural symbol of the city. Particularly striking is the translucent, diamond-shaped outer shell, which can glow in different colors.
Using projectors and asymmetrical parabolic mirrors developed specifically for the Allianz Arena, the diamonds can be illuminated in different colors depending on the club's colors. The stadium is around 50 meters high, 200 meters long, and can accommodate 66,000 spectators. Condair RS steam humidifiers ensure optimum humidity levels.
Using projectors and asymmetrical parabolic mirrors developed specifically for the Allianz Arena, the diamonds can be illuminated in different colors depending on the club's colors. The stadium is around 50 meters high, 200 meters long, and can accommodate 66,000 spectators. Condair RS steam humidifiers ensure optimum humidity levels.
JURA Kommunikations-Center, Nürnberg (Germany)
JURA Elektrogeräte Vertriebs-GmbH has been located in Nuremberg since 1987. 362 days a year, 30 employees are available in shifts for end customers and specialist dealers and advise and support them on all questions about fully automatic Jura machines and accessories.
Amundi Deutschland GmbH, München (Germany)
Amundi Germany is an expert in making the right investments. At its Munich office, the investment company manages assets of 52 billion euros and employs a total of 150 people. "The feel-good factor plays a very important role in the optimal working conditions of our employees," says Klaus Mutzl, Head of Operations Munich.
Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin (Germany)
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is a federal institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health. In 2016, the RKI moved into a new four-storey laboratory and office building with an area of around 60,000 m2. There, for example, influenza experts from the RKI prepare weekly situation reports, examine which flu viruses are circulating and check the effectiveness of flu vaccinations.
Laverana GmbH&Co. KG, Hannover (Germany)
In the converted Laverana headquarters of the natural cosmetics manufacturer, it is shown how optimal air humidity and the natural materials used in the building can ensure a very special feel-good climate.
Jungheinrich Service&Parts AG&Co. KG, Kaltenkirchen (Germany)
In order to optimally meet the air quality requirements in the open-plan office worlds, Jungheinrich is using an additional direct room air humidification system at the Kaltenkirchen spare parts centre. The result is a high level of employee satisfaction and more health protection.
Thomann GmbH (Call centre), Treppendorf (Germany)
In the call centre of Thomann GmbH, additional air humidification improves the indoor climate for the employees. Fewer voice disorders, less eye strain and higher satisfaction with the air quality are the experiences after two years of practical use.
BHS Bad Homburger Servicegesellschaft mbH, Bad Vilbel (Germany)
To keep the employees healthy, Bad Homburger Inkasso and BHS Bad Homburger Servicegesellschaft were looking for possibilities of subsequent air humidification. As an alternative to humidification in the ventilation system, direct room air humidification was able to meet all requirements for hygiene and operational safety.
Hannover Rück, Hannover (Germany)
Hannover Re is the world's third-largest reinsurer. The IT Service Desk looks after over 3000 employees at the Hanover location on all questions relating to the software and hardware of the workstations.
Asteelflash Hersfeld GmbH, Bad Hersfeld
Air Humidification in the electronic industry Asteelflash is the second largest electronic manufacturing services provider in Europe. More than 5,000 employees at 18 production sites worldwide work for the group of companies headquartered in France. The facility in Bad Hersfeld produces integrated electronic systems and modules for the automotive industry, among other things. Asteelflash is using direct room air humidification to protect the health of employees and for quality assurance in the assembly of PCBs.
Agbar Tower
Agbar Tower is a 32-story office complex located directly on the famed Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes in Barcelona. Its outer form resembles that of the 30 St Mary Axe office building in London, which was built at around the same time. Agbar Tower's glass facade is intended to represent a water fountain which changes its colors depending on the angle of the light. This is accomplished with 40 different shades of paint that reflect the light in different ways. The effect is reinforced by thousands of glass louvers that are mounted on the outside of the facade to provide sun protection. Based on the position of the sun, they turn to provide the highest possible degree of reflection, and to create natural air circulation inside the building. At night, Agbar Tower is lit by 4,500 LED spotlights in changing colors and can be seen from far away &mdash every bit as clearly as by day. Condair RS steam humidifiers provide optimal humidity levels for visitors to Agbar Tower.
Bálna, Budapest
The Bálna (the whale) is a commercial, cultural, and gastronomic center in the heart of Budapest. It connects the city center with the tourist and gastronomic zone on the riverbank. In addition to its avant-garde exterior, the interior design also alludes to the appearance of a whale.
It is predominantly characterized by steel, aluminum, glass, bone-colored concrete, and satin-gray aluminum surfaces. Sunlight streams through the transparent glass roof, sparkling on the highly polished concrete and wooden floors, the terrazzo-patterned stairs, and the chrome steel escalators. Steam humidifiers from Condair ensure a pleasant level of humidity.
It is predominantly characterized by steel, aluminum, glass, bone-colored concrete, and satin-gray aluminum surfaces. Sunlight streams through the transparent glass roof, sparkling on the highly polished concrete and wooden floors, the terrazzo-patterned stairs, and the chrome steel escalators. Steam humidifiers from Condair ensure a pleasant level of humidity.
Precise humidity protects millions of books at Bibliothèque Nationale de France
As one of the most recognisable and symbolically powerful architectural landmarks of contemporary Paris, the Bibliothèque nationale de France (Site François-Mitterrand) sets new standards in cultural design, monumental scale and preservation of knowledge. Condair is proud to contribute to this visionary institution with advanced hybrid humidification solutions that protect priceless collections, ensure visitor comfort and guarantee energy-efficient climate control.
Preserving millions of books, manuscripts, maps and artefacts demands rigorously stable climatic conditions. Optimal relative humidity “ crucial for preventing damage to paper, bindings and other organic materials “ is reliably maintained by Condair MK5, resistive steam humidifier.
Preserving millions of books, manuscripts, maps and artefacts demands rigorously stable climatic conditions. Optimal relative humidity “ crucial for preventing damage to paper, bindings and other organic materials “ is reliably maintained by Condair MK5, resistive steam humidifier.
Apple Campus, Cupertino
Cupertino, California, located close to San Francisco, is home to the headquarters of American technology company Apple. The building was designed by British architect Norman Foster, who realized the idea of an oversized ring in connection with the former Apple Campus at Infinite Loop No. 1 in Cupertino.
At a diameter of almost half a kilometre (461 m), the building complex offers a gigantic usable area of 260,000 m2 and space for 12,000 employees. The ring contains a 130,000 m2 park with rest areas, cafés, sports facilities and a rainbow-coloured festival stage, which was inaugurated by Lady Gaga in 2018. Powered entirely by renewable energy,
the building features a 17-megawatt rooftop solar energy system and energy-efficient evaporative cooling from Condair.
At a diameter of almost half a kilometre (461 m), the building complex offers a gigantic usable area of 260,000 m2 and space for 12,000 employees. The ring contains a 130,000 m2 park with rest areas, cafés, sports facilities and a rainbow-coloured festival stage, which was inaugurated by Lady Gaga in 2018. Powered entirely by renewable energy,
the building features a 17-megawatt rooftop solar energy system and energy-efficient evaporative cooling from Condair.
se-austria GmbH & Co. KG, Schörfling am Attersee (Austria)
Employee orientation and health protection play a major role for se-austria GmbH & Co. KG. With direct room air humidification, the indoor climate for the employees could be improved without costly renewal of the air conditioning system.
Bloomberg
The European headquarters of the media company Bloomberg in London was designed by the architects Foster + Partners and opened in 2017. The building complex is one million square meters in size and has many details that have been the result of months of research and development, such as a ceiling decorated with petals that provides lighting and cooling, but also acoustic insulation.The building consists of two ten-story blocks connected by a bridge. An arcade of restaurants selected by Bloomberg's restaurant critics runs between them. The building uses 70% less water and 40% less energy than conventional office buildings and was even awarded the Stirling Prize in 2018.Condair ME evaporative humidifiers are maintaining the ideal indoor humidity for the preservation of the wooden interiors and a healthy environment for visitors.
Amy Storm Residence, Chicago
Interior designer Amy¯Storm undertook a year‘long design/build of her own Chicago‘area home, œShelter for the Storms, and chose Condair™s MN flexible humidification system to tackle the dry winter climate. Presented with the challenge of low indoor humidity that causes discomfort and can damage wood furnishings and artwork, she required a system that could integrate with radiant heating and forced‘air cooling while preserving her design vision. The Condair¯MN system uses a mesh‘nebulizer humidification method without traditional ductwork, providing precise control of indoor humidity in the ideal 40‘60% RH range. The result: a home transformed into a sanctuary of comfort and wellness, where art and books are protected, residents feel better, and trust in the ongoing support was affirmed. The installation was tightly coordinated over a nine‘month construction phase, and the system™s performance and seamless integration exceeded expectations.
HELLA
The HELLA Group develops and manufactures lighting, electronic components and systems for the automotive industry.
Baloise Park, Basel
Baloise Park forms an area with three buildings on which the Baloise insurance group is headquartered. The complex offers 1,300 modern office workstations, of which 700 are used for Baloise employeesand the rest are rented out. The tallest building in Baloise Park is the tower in the west, which is one of the tallest buildings in Basel at 89 meters.Part of this tower houses the 5-star Superior Hotel Mövenpick comprising 264 rooms and an exquisite bar with sun terrace.Condair steam humidifiers ensure healthy room air humidity.
BOPLA Gehäuse Systeme, Bünde (Germany)
In-room humidification provides additional electrostatic protection in electronics manufacturing and digital printing at BOPLA.
Quotes from our customers
Joe A. Neidhart
ArchitectAt the end of his professional career, Swiss architect Joe A. Neidhart from Lucerne fulfilled a long-held dream: he built a 250 m² passive two-family house at an altitude of around 2,000 m in Riederalp in the canton of Valais (Switzerland) with views over the Alps and the Matterhorn, which he has been living in himself for 20 weeks a year ever since. Due to the altitude, with very low winter temperatures and low humidity, Neidhart opted for a sustainable 100% solar thermal house for heating and domestic hot water and for a new, innovative system for controlled indoor air humidification.
Andrea Bell
Facility Management"In this way, we have achieved a twofold advantage for our employees: health is protected and satisfaction at work is increased. This fits perfectly with the pronounced employee orientation at se-austria."
Felix Timmermann
General Manager EEMEA Region‘In-room humidification makes an important contribution to optimising our production processes and at the same time has a very positive effect on the well-being and health of our employees.’
Martin Ennemann
Facility Management"Air humidification is a stable factor in our quality assurance, both for ESD protection of our production as well as for the satisfaction of our Employees with the indoor climate."
Jens Ringeling
Group Leader Facility Management"Our additional in-space humidification is a great fit, as the positive effect is immediately noticeable and has a direct impact on employee satisfaction and health protection."
Sabine Kästner-Schlemme
Company Spokesperson"My colleagues are thrilled with how noticeably fresh the indoor climate is now and how it protects health from dried out mucous membranes and respiratory infections."
Eddie Isaakjan
Sales Manager"There was immediate positive feedback. For most colleagues, the air now feels noticeably fresher, windows are opened less and the complaints about eye and voice strain are gone."
Florian Rittweger
Sales Management“Optimal humidity is a must for our instruments and at the same time refreshing and health for our customers and our team.”
Frequently asked questions
Does dry air cause eye problems?
Why is humidity important for healthy eyes?
What is Office-Eye-Syndrome?
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Does dry air affect contact lens wear?
Get free expert advice
If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.
You may also be interested in
Get in touch with us
Contact us
Contact the UK office by phone, email or webform.
Find your international Condair representative
If you're outside the UK, find your local representative.