Abstract: The prevention of cellular dehydration is a primary human homeostatic requirement. The body has complex and reliable mechanisms to maintain overall fluid balance. Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapour per unit volume of gas at a given temperature and pressure (units: g/m3). Relative humidity is the absolute humidity divided by the amount present when the gas is fully saturated at the same temperature and pressure. Maintaining humidity is important in the operating theatre. The relative humidity in this environment is between 50% and 60%. High humidity is unpleasant, whilst low humidity may allow the build up of static charges, which may cause flammable agents to explode. The control of humidity is important in several clinical situations, including those in which the nose is bypassed by an airway device. Commonly used methods of measuring humidity are: hair hygrometer; wet and dry bulb hygrometer; Regnault's hygrometer; humidity transducers; weighing; and mass spectrometer.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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