ELI5. Does oxygen levels in the atmosphere drop when humidity rises in the environment?

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I noticed my lungs were burning for breath like a crackhead for dope after a brisk yet routine walk today. It has been raining for the past days in my area and wondered if there is any correlation between moisture and the mix the air consists of. Also what effect will this have in performance and heath?

In: Chemistry

3 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

100% humidity at room temperature means the air is 3% water vapor. For dewpoints of around 30C (86F) — which is the muggiest I can imagine — then the air is around 4% water vapor.

See the ‘atm’ column at the [vapor pressure of water](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vapour_pressure_of_water) article at wikipedia.

I believe that only means 4% less oxygen in your lungs but I don’t know how the presence of water vapor affects absorption of oxygen into your bloodstream by your lungs.

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