To Les and A&P guy: Right on! I retired from the airlines myself. The air is drawn from the atmosphere the plane is flying through. Although it starts out thin, there are compressors that make it breathable to us in the cabin, hence the term "pressurisation". But it may be low in humidity for some. If water were introduced for "humidification" the moisture could be a major maintenance headache. Back when smoking was allowed onboard, nicotine residue in the system could actually clog up things and cause problems. Some airlines refer to these systems as "life support" and when you think about it that's true. So corrosion problems due to moisture in this or for that matter any mechanism might not be such a hot idea.
So if your sinuses/nasal passages tend to dry out easily (like mine) this can be a problem. I solved that by chewing gum but I'm sure some ass would object to the crew doing this.
The air, however, can be contaminated by your fellow travellers carelessly sneezing, etc. through no fault of the crew. We all know (not any of us of course) of those who won't stay home and get well but instead "spread the wealth".
And don't even get me started about the idiot "sick leave policies" many companies have which can virtually force employees (amongst passengers and crew alike) come to work even if you fell half dead. Welcome to the "new world order, Typhoid Mary".

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