Did you know that the average home collects a whopping 40 pounds of dust every year! While this may be gross enough, did you know that happily living among all that dust, are hundreds of thousands of microscopic dust mites, ready and waiting to make you sick.
Experts state that dust mites are the single biggest predators that live in the home, and alongside them are more than 45 toxic chemicals that have been linked to a range of respiratory, behavioral and neuro-developmental problems. It’s true that dust particles may be tiny, but their harmful impact upon our health can be huge.
What other health issues can dust cause?
Larger dust particles can irritate the eyes, throat and skin, while even smaller particles can contain microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are tiny enough to get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. In some people, when dust is breathed in, it can bring on a disease of the lungs called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction to dust particles that can cause symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.
What are the most common places where dust particles exist?
There are many objects around the home upon which dust particles can build up, and your children’s toys are a prime example. However, one simple but effective way of getting rid of all that dust, is by popping the toys into the freezer for 24 hours. This process has been proven to kill dust mites, and works for any items that will fit inside a freezer.
Mattresses and pillows are another place where dust mites love to live, but if you purchase allergen barrier covers for all the beds in your home, you can all but eliminate the problem. While an area of the home often forgotten about, air vents can harbor the biggest build-up of dust, and should be cleaned regularly to help get rid of it as best as possible. If you’re able to climb up and use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the dust, that’s probably the most effective method, and doing this regularly will help to keep the airflow within your home fresher for longer, too.
One fantastic way of helping to capture dust particles before they pose a threat to your health, is with an air purifier. You can buy them in a range of sizes, and they capture dust and floating allergens, making it easier for you and your family to breathe and sleep.
Regular cleaning is perhaps the best way to ensure that dust causes as little harm to your health as possible, and if you have a lot of dust in your home and struggle to keep it clean, why not call up a professional cleaning service and have them come in regularly to help keep dust at bay.
