What is Dust Made From?
Dust can be made up of a wide range of objects that it picks up from the local environment. This could include biological matter such as human skin or pet dander. Roughly one-third of household dust is created inside your home, coming from food debris or fibers from furniture and clothing. Much of dust matter comes from outdoor sources such as soil and pollen. Dust usually enters the home or workplace from the outside in. It can float in through windows or be tracked inside simply by walking in.
Breathing in Dust
The small size of dust means that it can be easily inhaled. Larger dust particles, or “inhalable dust,” can become trapped in your nose and mouth and can be exhaled out of the body. Smaller dust particles, or “respirable dust,” are more dangerous as they may be able to penetrate your lungs or even go directly into your bloodstream.
How Dust Affects Indoor Air Quality
Dust can lower the air quality of your home. The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) reports that the level of indoor pollutants usually is two to five times larger than that of outdoor levels. In some instances, indoor pollutants can be 100 times more damaging than free equivalents. Somebody who lives or works in situations with chronically poor air quality may experience a range of symptoms including frequent headaches, long-lasting colds, bronchitis, and chronic asthma.
Dust May Cause an Allergic Reaction
Even the smallest amounts of dust can trigger allergic reactions. These allergic reactions may be minor or severe, depending on the individual. Symptoms of a dust allergy include sneezing and runny nose. Some sufferers may also experience signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. Also, if you don’t hold a dust allergy, you could be allergic to any one of the scraps it contains.
Dust Can Spread Disease
Dust is an example of a “fomite.” This indicates that it can possibly carry diseases and spread infections. Some cases of diseases that could be spread by dust include the cold virus and influenza.
Find Out More About the Health Effects of Dust
This Infographic from The Cleaning Services Group looks at the most common sources of household dust and outlines the different types of dust. It also goes through the different ways in which family and professional dust can harm your well-being. It also presents ten top tips for obtaining rid of dust in the workplace and at home.
