 Temperature
The air temperature plays a key role when discussing
humidification. At any given temperature air can
hold a specific amount of water vapor. Basically
the higher the temperature the more capacity the
air has to hold water vapor.
Relative
Humidity
Relative humidity is the ratio of actual water
vapor in the air compared to how much water vapor
the air is capable of holding (its capacity).
Relative humidity's unit of measure is %.
Absolute
Humidity
Absolute humidity is a measurement of actual water
vapor content per volume of air, measured in milligrams
of water vapor per liter of air {mg H20/L}.
Dew
Point
The temperature level where a fully saturated
gas begins to condense. (This is often referred
to as rain out in a patient circuit.)
In the example below, the water vapor content
per liter of air (absolute humidity) is identical
in both cases @ 44mg H20 / L. However, the 37
degree C cube must have a relative humidity level
of 100% to enable 44 mg H20 to be present when
compared to a 67% relative humidity level at the
higher temperature level of 45 degrees C. The
warmer the temperature the greater its capacity
for holding water vapor.
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REMstar®
M Series Humidifiers 
