Dew Point Temperature - Essay Example

The dew point is the point where water vapor condenses and turns into dew. The dew point is a recommended indicator of the actual water vapor content of the air because variations in atmospheric pressure at the earth’s surface are quite minimal.

            The dew point is measured by an instrument called a Dew Point Meter. These instruments have a polished metal mirror cooled as air passes over them (Hens 2007). Essentially, the dew point is determined by finding out the temperature at which dew forms. These manual devices may also be used to standardize other types of instruments that measure humidity. Moreover, automatic sensors may be utilized in a control loop where a humidifier or a dehumidifier is used to manage the dew point of the air in a building or in smaller spaces used for manufacturing processes (Hens, 2007).

            A high dew point indicates that the air has high water vapor content while a low dew point indicates that the air has low water vapor content. When the air has high water vapor content and, correspondingly, a high dew point, it is said that the air is humid and people are most likely uncomfortable with such situations. This is because a person’s body is designed to use the evaporation of sweat to cool itself down during warm temperatures. However, evaporation largely depends on how much moisture the air already contains and how much more it can hold (Sills 2010). Thus, if the air is already saturated, a person’s sweat will no longer evaporate and so that person ends up sweating profusely. In certain cases where the dew point is quite elevated, people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma may even be in grave danger.

            The dew point is considered to be an important indicator of the atmosphere’s condition. It affects the living conditions of humans and animals alike and thus, it must be monitored closely using accurate instruments in order to provide necessary and appropriate advice to those who might need it.