In COVID times, AMFAH India Supports WHO Humidity Plea
by Suman Gupta
Mumbai,July 2020: Eight months in, the International COVID crisis trudges forward in the search for a cure, a vaccine and a combined response against the pandemic. So, with each new scientific discovery, experts add to our evolving knowledge about COVID-19.
Recently, groups of scientists have come forward to the international health body, the WHO, urging it to acknowledge and add two distinct developments to the collection of knowledge around the disease. The first points to an airborne infection risk, while the second links humidity levels to COVID-19. This latter group has now floated a plea, the 40to60Rh petition, which has received a widespread following.
“Dr Stephanie Taylor’s 40to60%RH petition is a direct pitch towards the need for minimum indoor air quality levels managing Humidity, a way to boost our immune responses against COVID-19. As the official partner from India, we fully support the petition and are working towards making it a reality, said Mansoor Ali, Founder, AMFAH India.
AMFAH India provides air quality treatment products and solutions. They have partnered with the cause alongside Sensirion, Condair and many other organisations who deal with indoor air quality.
Recuperating from a 5-month, nationwide lockdown, India needs to have a clear plan for the reopening process. One which takes into account the reopening public spaces, businesses, salons, spas, gyms and restaurants. Ali strongly advocates such a plan to include monitoring relative humidity and ensuring that it remains between 40 to 60 % RH. He also appeals to the central government and the health ministry to create a public awareness campaign around relative humidity – one in line with the guidelines from WHO and the Maharashtra government.
“We’ve been maintaining this for some time now – ensuring a mid-range air humidity across public and private buildings does boost the body’s immune response. Dr Taylor’s petition asks for standardised regulations to ensure all indoor spaces comply with these standards. With this, we’d not only be in a better position against COVID-19 but also reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses”, he said.
With a consolidated set of restrictions, all new constructions will include specified indoor humidity levels as a building standard. Owners, dwellers will also be encouraged to take measures to maintain these standards.
Global HUMIDITY expert Condair has also stepped forward to extend their support to the petition.
“The COVID-19 crisis shows us just how vital it is that we place the management of the built environment at the very centre of disease control”, said Tim Scott, Head of Sales, Condair.
Dr Stephanie Taylor, an infection control consultant at the Harvard Medical School, is a member of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Group. Her petition, available on http://40to60rh.com, aims to collect 100,000 signatures to advocate a clear response from the WHO and other international bodies. Several prominent names in the scientific and healthcare community have lent their support to it as well.
