Is it possible to use a humidifier in the garden? Which humidifier is better for a child: the harm and benefits of an air humidifier. The best humidifier models suitable for a child's room

Good afternoon, today the parent committee suggested buying an air humidifier for the kindergarten. Everyone received it with a bang. I'm concerned about how safe this device is. I am afraid that this, on the contrary, will lead to an increase in diseases of the lungs and bronchi. After all, children will breathe all this air after humidifying the rooms, and in the water there may be an unknown number of microbes, salts, and some other impurities. In addition, they want to buy this humidifier for the entire kindergarten, which means transferring it from group to group, and I’m afraid this will lead to even more viruses being collected in the water, which the children will then receive with the humidification. On the Internet I found not only positive but also negative reviews from the use of these devices, for example: - you are right about bacteria and impurities in the air from the humidifier. Salts from the fog of the humidifier penetrate into all the cracks. They also accumulate in the lungs, and when you stop using the humidifier, they irritate and dry out the mucous membranes for some time. There are already plenty of bacteria in the water being poured. Most of them are relatively harmless iron bacteria, but there are also plenty of dangerous pneumobacteria. Officer on duty, there are different types of bacteria, and you won’t always smell them when the device is operating. Humidifiers cannot be cleaned sufficiently, especially the tank, and any cleaning of them is a very inconvenient task that can ruin them. The mucus from the tank cannot be completely cleaned out, no matter how hard you try. Desavid cannot be poured into a humidifier. - My friend had an air humidifier, they actively used it, her daughter began to have attacks of obstructive bronchitis, after 2-3 attacks they removed the humidifier, there was no more obstruction... I’m also somehow afraid of the washer and humidifier, maybe it’s okay excess humidity... Ventilate more often, fortunately we have a small town, the environment allows... - A couple of weeks after buying an air washer and installing it in the nursery, the child began to develop yellow snot. Then green. Then with blood. Then 38.8, some kind of infection, we are treated with antibiotics. My husband has bronchitis and is on antibiotics. I’m 37 weeks, I have a cough, I don’t know how to treat it yet, I’ll call the doctor tomorrow. So I’m sinning with the humidifier, before we didn’t have such health problems! My husband didn’t suffer from anything like that at all - we began to sleep better with the humidifier, but we started coughing right away (((and a day later the snot started to come out very strongly and was immediately green... So I’m thinking about linking this together or just a coincidence. And there are many similar reviews. What is most troubling is that this idea was voiced by a mother whose son coughs in kindergarten until he vomits and loses his breath. ..But she proudly declares that they have this device at home and the son breathes normally at home, so the reason for the cough in kindergarten is the lack of this device. But looking at her son, I have doubts, because no one else in the group coughs like that, and in general, our other children hardly cough. Please give clarification whether this device can be used in a kindergarten or am I rightly afraid of buying this device? Thank you in advance. -- Thank you for your attention.

An air humidifier is used to maintain normal indoor air humidity. The use of this device becomes especially relevant during the heating season and hot summer days. And families with children and the elderly need it most. In such situations, it is simply vital.

What are the dangers of insufficient indoor air humidity?

Excessive dry air has a very negative impact on the health of the respiratory system. Drying of the mucous membranes of the nose provokes their swelling and complicates physiological breathing. This is especially noticeable in infants; they feel uncomfortable sucking breasts or drinking milk from a bottle.

In older children, due to low humidity, hard crusts form in the nose. This is mucus that has dried out and does not allow air to move freely in the nasal passages. Older people tolerate such conditions more easily, but this does not mean that there are no consequences.

The mucous membrane plays the role of a kind of barrier that traps various pathogens and prevents them from penetrating into the body. A decrease in the amount of secretion produced invariably leads to the risk of developing bacterial complications in the sinuses and other parts of the respiratory tract.

Sanitary standards regarding the microclimate of residential premises (except for utility rooms, corridors, kitchens, bathrooms and toilets):

• temperature in the warm season – 18-24 °C;
• cold temperature – 20-28 °C;
• relative humidity in summer – 65%;
• relative humidity in winter – 60%;
• air speed – 0.2 m/s.

It is especially important to observe relative humidity parameters if the baby is sick or has any colds. Its decrease often causes a worsening of the severity of the condition.

Important:Humidity is important not only for mucous membranes, but also for the skin. In conditions of excessively dry air, the skin practically ceases to perform its thermoregulatory functions. And it is already quite difficult for a child (especially a newborn) to cope with changes in ambient temperature and changes in temperature resulting from processes occurring in his body. Moreover, in dry air the skin can become vulnerable and dry. Another disadvantage of low humidity is the acceleration of dust circulation - a source of bacteria and viruses in any home.

Types of humidifiers

There are several types of devices used in everyday life for air humidification, all of them differ in certain parameters: they have different performance, power, and have their own characteristics, disadvantages and advantages.

Retail chains receive:

• traditional humidifiers;
• steam models;
• ultrasonic devices

Traditional humidifiers

Their operating principle is based on “cold” evaporation. They are economical and simple to use. They have a special tank; water is poured into it, from where it flows onto the evaporative elements. The device has a built-in fan; it sucks in dry air, and the evaporator enriches it with moisture. To increase productivity, that is, the intensity of evaporation, it is necessary to place such a humidifier near a heat source, which will ensure higher air circulation.

The maximum humidity when operating such a device is up to 60%. When choosing a traditional humidifier, be sure to pay attention to the presence of an antibacterial cassette - with its help, the air is disinfected from pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

The main advantage of such devices is the “naturalness” of evaporation: water simply evaporates from a certain area of ​​surfaces that are constantly wetted. When moisture evaporates, it immediately goes into a vapor state. The important thing is that minerals and impurities from the water remain inside and do not enter the air.

Note:The evaporation rate of the humidifier depends on the humidity in the room. The smaller it is, the more intensively the device works. Air saturated with moisture is perceived by the body very easily and comfortably.

The same traditional types of devices include “air washers”. They have wetted flat discs mounted on an axle (rotating). The disks on the axle are partially immersed in water. Rotating, they are wetted in the bath and immediately dry above the surface of the water from the fan. The air between the discs is saturated with moisture, the dust from it settles on the wet disc and is washed off. This type of humidifier simultaneously saturates the air with moisture and cleans it. There are two types of designs of such devices. In the first, the discs are located in a reservoir bath, and in the second, in a reservoir that is removed. They also have some noise levels when operating in maximum performance mode.

Steam humidifier

Its operating principle is based on"hot" evaporation. In the device, water is heated by two electrodes, and it is converted into steam after it reaches its maximum temperature. A steam humidifier allows you to increase humidity by more than 60%.

This type of device is very convenient to use. When the water runs out during operation, it turns off on its own. There is no need to purchase additional cartridges, filters, etc. The steam humidifier has high performance; the moisture it sprays contains no impurities. Hot evaporation ensures sterility.

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that the steam type of humidifiers consumes quite a lot of energy (not all models) and it must be cleaned frequently (to remove scale).

Ultrasonic humidifiers

This is the most popular type of humidification device. All implemented models operate on the basis of high-frequency oscillations capable of converting water into microdispersed particles. They are equipped with a special piezoceramic emitter with silver-plated electrodes. When the electrical circuit is closed, the emitter begins to vibrate at such a speed that it creates ultrasonic waves that can tear off individual particles from the surface of the water. Fog (cold steam) forms in the chamber above the emitter; it is blown out by a fan.

Moisture entering the room gradually dries and saturates the air. In case of increased dryness, the drops dry while still in the air. This type is recommended for use in children's rooms, because... it reduces the risk of burns to zero.

Some advanced ultrasonic models are equipped with a hygrometer, an ultraviolet lamp, a filter cartridge for water softening, an air ionizer, a remote control, and an LCD display. To ensure safety, both simpler models and climate control systems are equipped with special automation that turns off the device when the water level drops critically or overturns.

Note! Important advantages of ultrasonic humidifiers include noiselessness, production of mist instead of steam, ergonomics, small size and the ability to repair in case of breakdowns.

The main disadvantage of the device is that, along with water, impurities and various minerals enter the air from it, as a result a small salt coating with a whitish tint appears on the furniture, floor and walls. If these salts do not cause any harm to a healthy person, then inhalation of vapors with salt ingredients by allergy sufferers and asthmatics can lead to new attacks and deterioration of well-being.

Ideally, an ultrasonic humidifier should use water from a home filter system (the first stage of reverse osmosis).

Important: with regard to any type of humidifier, it is worth noting that when the device is turned on, it is worthwhile to conduct airing and ventilation at the same time. The products of human gas exchange must be removed from the premises.

Unfortunately, almost all children who start going to kindergarten get sick. Typically in gardens the air does not circulate and is not purified(only periodic, often insufficient, ventilation through the windows). Stagnant air, stuffiness, heat, and high levels of carbon dioxide are an ideal environment for the rapid spread of bacteria and viruses.

For a child to breathe, it is necessary not less than 20 m 3 / h of air, accordingly, with an average number of children and staff in a group of 20 people, the minimum air exchange rate is 400 m 3 /h. Due to natural ventilation through cracks in transoms and vents (inflow no more than 5-10 m 3 / h through 1 window) it is impossible to ensure even the minimum inflow rate. Hourly full ventilation of the room with open windows, especially in the cold season, is dangerous for the health of children. Typically, kindergarten premises are ventilated only when children are out for a walk - 1-2 times a day, in cold and hot weather for only a few minutes, so that the air in the room has time to warm up/cool down before the children return.

How can I solve this problem?

1. Install supply ventilation (ventilators) of sufficient capacity, equipped with filters with the maximum level of air purification

Supply ventilation constantly supplies fresh air to the room. During the cold season, you can turn on the air heating to a comfortable temperature. The ventilators are equipped with fine air filters that prevent the smallest particles of dust, pollen, viruses, allergens, bacteria, carcinogens, exhaust gases and other harmful substances, as well as odors from entering the room. The internal walls of the device are heat and noise insulated.

In this way to the kindergarten premises there will always be fresh, clean air, rich in oxygen, at the required temperature. Air exchange will improve: supply ventilation stimulates the operation of the hood.

Why will children get sick less? Bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances will not linger indoors. Thanks to constant air circulation, the supply of clean air, normalization of CO 2 levels, the overall microclimate in the room will become healthy. Children will feel better and have stronger immunity simply by breathing clean, fresh air. For children's institutions, we primarily offer a breatherRoyal Clima Brezza with medical grade supply air purification, which has successfully proven itself in the market.

2. Use an air washer

In winter, the absolute moisture content in the street air is low, and when heating radiators are operating, the relative humidity drops to minimum values. Why is low humidity dangerous? The mucous membranes, which have the function of counteracting harmful viruses and bacteria, lose several times their effectiveness, which contributes to the development of infections and respiratory diseases,According to SanPin with requirements for the work of preschool educational institutions, relative air humidity in rooms with children should be 40-60%. However, during the heating season, humidity itself does not rise above 20-30%.

Will help solve this problem air washing, which not only increases the level of humidity, but also cleanses the room of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odors. Sinks, unlike ultrasonic humidifiers, use the traditional principle of water evaporation, so they are completely safe. The sink is easy to use: just add water to it regularly and periodically wash the drum.

3. Buy an air purifier/disinfectant

The cleaner is intended for continuous prevention against infectious diseases. It protects the room from all infections, allergens, toxins, harmful substances and odors. There are many air purifiers on the market, but for kindergartens we recommend Tion Clever, the cleaning and disinfection class in which complies with sanitary standards. We do not consider purchasing an air purifier mandatory. for all kindergartens - this is advisable if the administration does not allow the installation of ventilators (in this case, the purifier is extremely necessary for the relative normalization of the microclimate).

In Tion Clever no ultraviolet lamps– accordingly, there are no risks associated with them (harmful radiation, risk of mercury leakage, need for special disposal of the lamp). Thanks to its low noise level - quieter than the ticking of a clock - the purifier can be placed in the bedroom.

The disinfectant will attract all bacteria, viruses, spores to its filters, and purify the air of all types of contaminants. Viruses and bacteria of all types are not only disinfected on filters with an efficiency of 99.9%, but are also completely destroyed. This a sterile system whose filters will never become a source of infection, regardless of operating time.

Installing a purifier or sink- a simpler event, since such a device only needs to be hung on the wall or placed on the floor, and plugged into an outlet, and for ventilator installation you need to drill a hole in the wall. This procedure does not require approval.

Devices work most effectively when combined. The supply unit saturates the room with fresh, clean air. Air washing maintains an optimal level of humidity and cleans the room of dust. The disinfectant purifies and sterilizes the air in the room at a deeper level. These devices will create a favorable microclimate in kindergarten and significantly reduce the incidence of illness in children.

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According to modern sanitary standards, relative humidity in preschool institutions should not be lower than 40-60%. In practice, in winter in groups the humidity often does not exceed 25%, which is comparable to the dry air in the Sahara Desert. In Russia, the heating season lasts for six months, which means that all this time children in kindergartens are forced to breathe insufficiently humidified air, because the higher the temperature in the rooms, the drier the air.

Experts say that dry air is dangerous and can cause considerable harm to children's health. The fact is that the mucous membranes of the child’s respiratory tract come into contact with a huge number of pathogens every day. However, encountering a pathogen does not always lead to the development of infection. The mucous membranes are capable of retaining and destroying bacteria at the site of their introduction - this is how local immunity manifests itself.

What happens to the body of a child forced to spend a lot of time in a dry microclimate? Insufficiently humid air leads to drying out of the mucous membranes, and, therefore, to a violation of local immunity. Dried mucus is an ideal environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, and, therefore, the cause of bronchitis, sinusitis and otitis.

In addition, under the influence of dry air, the susceptibility of mucous membranes to allergens and dust increases, and the child’s risk of developing allergic pathology increases, including asthma.

Excessively dry air in kindergarten dries out delicate baby skin, thereby not only creating discomfort for the baby, but also reducing its natural protective properties.

Compared to adults, young children are more in need of the right microclimate, since due to a more intense metabolism, the children's body produces more heat. A dry atmosphere contributes to increased sweating and loss of fluid through breathing, which, in turn, leads to blood thickening and even impaired kidney function.

If we take these factors into account, it becomes clear that a humidifier in a kindergarten today is not a luxury, but a reasonable concern for the health of children. Experts do not recommend installing steam humidifiers, but ultrasonic devices will be the best option for preschools.

Today, ultrasonic humidifiers are considered the most effective and safe. Their action is based on the following mechanism: water from the tank is supplied to a plate that vibrates at high speed, where it is split into small splashes. Tiny droplets form a cloud through which a fan blows the surrounding air. In other words, an ultrasonic humidifier generates mist at home. The device operates almost silently and is safe for both children and adults.

Description of the problem

Humidity is one of the main air parameters that has a significant impact on humans. Insufficient air humidity leads to a person’s loss of moisture, resulting in dry skin, dry mouth, headaches; children’s bodies are especially sensitive to humidity. At low humidity levels, the baby's mucous membrane becomes covered with microcracks, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the baby's blood. In an insufficiently humidified room, dust circulation occurs much more intensely. The required humidity cannot be obtained in our climate, especially in winter, when air humidity can drop below 20%, so there is a need to use a humidifier.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, dry air is not caused by batteries. Relative air humidity drops when heated due to the fact that the maximum possible moisture content of the air increases, while the mass of water vapor in the air remains unchanged.

Considering the frequency of ventilation and the size of the premises in kindergartens, it is impossible to achieve the required air humidity using such obsolete methods as frequent wet cleaning or hanging wet rags on radiators. A regular home humidifier will also not provide sufficient performance.

Standard terms

According to SANPIN 2.4.1.3049-13, the optimal air humidity in kindergartens and schools should be 40-60%.
Solutions options
Ultrasonic humidifiers are ideal for use in kindergartens and schools. Check with our specialists for the required humidifier performance.

• Such humidifiers have a number of advantages:
• Easy to install, maintain and operate;
• They are compact in size and fit harmoniously into the room;
• They have no external moving elements and are safe for children;
• They use electrical energy economically;
• It is not safe to use steam generators in children's rooms, since the temperature of the steam is quite high and it is necessary to provide protection against it coming into contact with children.

It is inconvenient to use high-pressure humidification systems in kindergartens, since there is not enough space to accommodate nozzles and a high-pressure piping system.

An ultrasonic humidifier is installed anywhere in the room, the mist is sprayed by a fan from the device, and water is poured into a special tank. The humidifier operates from a 220 V network. To start working, just fill the water into the humidifier tank, plug the device into the network, set the required humidity and turn it on.

It is advisable to use soft water in humidifiers. Long-term use of water that has not been purified from hardness salts leads to the formation of limescale, and requires regular cleaning of ceramic discs. The use of untreated water leads to premature wear of ceramic resonators and the ultrasonic emitter.