Effectiveness of "CALHO MIST" in Alleviating Intense Heat among Selected Household in Golden Country Homes Subdivision, Alangilan, Batangas

Abstract

Introduction

Air pollution, as defined by the WHO, is the presence of harmful chemical, physical, or biological substances in the environment, and its effects are influenced by humidity. High humidity can trap pollutants, promote mold, bacteria, and virus growth, and worsen the heat index, while low humidity keeps fine particles suspended, causing respiratory irritation. Globally, air pollution causes around 7 million deaths annually. In the Philippines, industrialization and household practices contribute to air pollution, with the country ranking 79th in global air quality in 2023 and second in the Asia-Pacific for deaths due to household air pollution in 2018. The country’s warm climate and high relative humidity make it particularly vulnerable to combined effects of humidity and pollution.

Dehumidifiers are commonly used to mitigate high humidity, prevent mold, and improve indoor air quality. They come in four types: heat-pump, ventilator, chemical absorbent, and homemade/organic dehumidifiers, with organic options often being practical, efficient, and sustainable for households.

Study Focus:
The study aims to develop the Calho Mist organic dehumidifier for households in Golden Country Homes, Batangas, using combinations of calamansi, honey, and charcoal. It seeks to:

1. Describe the ratios of the Calho Mist dehumidifier formulations.

2. Assess perceived effectiveness based on odor, moisture reduction, air freshness, duration, and appearance.

3. Determine significant differences in effectiveness between Calho Mist ratios and a chemical-absorbent control.

Significance:

• Households: Improves indoor air quality and comfort, reducing health risks.

• Local farmers: Provides a market for agricultural by-products used in production.

• Consumers: Raises awareness of humidity’s impact on air quality and health.

• LGUs: Supports community-based programs to improve air quality.

• Researchers: Serves as a reference for further study on sustainable dehumidifiers.

Scope:
The research is limited to selected urban households, small-scale Calho Mist units, and short-term observation. It focuses on respondents’ perceptions of odor, moisture, air freshness, duration, and appearance, without long-term performance testing or laboratory-grade instruments.

Key Components:

• Honey: Moisture-absorbing, antibacterial, and aromatic properties.

• Calamansi: Adsorptive, antibacterial, and deodorizing properties.

• Charcoal: High porosity for moisture adsorption and odor removal.

Review of Literature & Studies:

• Indoor humidity should be 30–60% RH; extremes cause mold or respiratory irritation.

• Dehumidifiers (heat-pump, ventilator, chemical, organic) effectively control indoor moisture, reduce odor, and improve air freshness.

• Honey, calamansi, and charcoal have proven moisture adsorption and odor control properties.

• Studies show locally sourced biomass materials (e.g., coconut coir, coconut-shell charcoal) are sustainable and effective for organic dehumidifiers.

Conclusion

The following were the conclusions of the researchers drawn from the findings of the study: 1) The Calho Mist formulations demonstrated that the proportion of charcoal and organic humectants (calamansi and honey) directly affects moisture absorption and aroma. Ratio A (12.5% calamansi, 12.5% honey, 75% charcoal) remained dry with a mild scent, showing sustained adsorption. Ratio B (25% calamansi, 25% honey, 50% charcoal) had a balanced texture and moderate fragrance, reflecting combined moisture control and aromatic benefit. Ratio C (37.5% calamansi, 37.5% honey, 25% charcoal) exhibited the highest moisture uptake and strongest aroma, indicating rapid but shorter-duration adsorption. The chemical dehumidifier served as a control, providing a benchmark for comparison. These results support the use of varying formulations to tailor moisture absorption and fragrance intensity. 2) The overall findings of the study confirm that the Calho Mist dehumidifier is effective in enhancing indoor environmental quality across odor control, moisture reduction, air freshness, duration, and appearance, with all experimental formulations outperforming the control group. Respondents strongly agreed that the device reduced unpleasant smells, improved air freshness, and controlled excess moisture more efficiently than natural ventilation, while also sustaining reliable performance during extended use. In addition, the product’s design and appearance were perceived positively, with durability and neatness contributing to user satisfaction. Among the three formulations, Ratio B consistently demonstrated the strongest and most balanced performance, while Ratio A excelled in air freshness and Ratio C showed moderate improvements that highlight the need for refinement. Taken together, these results validate the dehumidifier’s role as a practical and innovative solution for improving household air quality, with Ratio B emerging as the most effective and reliable formulation overall. 3) A one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in perceived effectiveness among the Control and Calho Mist formulations. Post-hoc tests showed that Ratios A and B were rated significantly higher than the chemically-absorbent control, while Ratio C did not differ. Descriptive results align with these findings, with Ratios A and B receiving the highest agreement, likely due to their higher charcoal content enhancing moisture and odor control. No significant differences were observed among the experimental ratios, suggesting that all ratios share desiccant-like properties. Collectively, the findings showed Ratios A and B as the most promising environmentally-friendly alternative to chemically-absorbent dehumidifiers for household settings.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dionisio, Nicole Angela A., Godoy, Jonis Syron M., Gutierrez, Joaquin Paolo G., Gutierrez, Royce Allyson C., Javier, Margarette Leigh V., Jumangito, Sophia Alexy C., Valencia, Eldrick James T.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.