--- title: "Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity" description: "Indoor relative humidity between 40-60% is associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes compared to humidity levels outside this range." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html" type: "study" study_key: "s193" journal: "J R Soc Interface" year: 2022 pmid: "36382379" doi: "10.1098/rsif.2021.0865" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s193 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J R Soc Interface | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [36382379](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36382379/) | | DOI | [10.1098/rsif.2021.0865](https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0865) | | Study key | s193 | ## Takeaway Indoor relative humidity between 40-60% is associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes compared to humidity levels outside this range. ## The question Does indoor relative humidity modulate the spread and severity of COVID-19 outbreaks? ## Hypothesis Indoor climate, particularly relative humidity (RH), may be a more relevant modulator of COVID-19 outbreaks than outdoor conditions, with intermediate RH (40-60%) associated with better outcomes. ## Methods The study combined population-based COVID-19 statistics and meteorological measurements from 121 countries. Epidemiological data were rigorously processed to reduce bias. A computational workflow was developed and experimentally validated to estimate indoor conditions based on outdoor weather data and standard indoor comfort conditions. ## Results The analysis showed robust and systematic relationships between regional COVID-19 outbreaks and indoor relative humidity. Specifically, intermediate RH (40-60%) was robustly associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes compared to RH below 40% or above 60%. ## Conclusion Indoor conditions, particularly indoor relative humidity, modulate the spread and severity of COVID-19 outbreaks. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > intermediate relative humidity is robustly associated with better outbreak outcomes ## Indoor Relative Humidity and COVID-19 Outbreak Outcomes | Measure | Outbreak Outcome (Qualitative) | | --- | --- | | < 40% RH | 0 | | 40-60% RH | 1 | | > 60% RH | 0 | *Intermediate indoor relative humidity (40-60%) was associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes, while RH outside this range was associated with worse outcomes. The values 0 and 1 represent a qualitative finding of 'worse' and 'better' outcomes respectively, as no specific quantitative metrics were provided in the abstract.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Smart Humidity Monitor | Moderate evidence | [Smart Humidity Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/193.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity** J R Soc Interface 2022 · [PMID 36382379](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36382379/) · [DOI 10.1098/rsif.2021.0865](https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0865) > intermediate relative humidity is robustly associated with better outbreak outcomes ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html","name":"Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity","description":"Indoor relative humidity between 40-60% is associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes compared to humidity levels outside this range.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.html#study","name":"Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity","headline":"Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J R Soc Interface"},"identifier":"PMID:36382379","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36382379/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0865","abstract":"Indoor relative humidity between 40-60% is associated with better COVID-19 outbreak outcomes compared to humidity levels outside this range."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Smart Humidity Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/193.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Susceptibility of an Airborne Common Cold Virus to Relative Humidity](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33332096.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).