The Facts about Dust

Dust.  We all hate it, and everyone suffers from its existence.  Sneezing, sniffling, watery eyes, and inhibited breathing are just the beginning symptoms of the multitude of problems caused by household dust.  In addition to the typical symptoms of dust mite allergies, itchiness, sneezing, inflamed or infected eczema, and watering and reddening of eyes are also commonly experienced side effects of dust mites.  Dust is also a main carrier of germs as germs have no means of locomotion except to attach themselves to particles of dust.  So the more dust you have, the more germs can breed and move throughout your home. 

So what exactly is this common allergen we all refer to as dust?  Well the dust mite’s binomial name is Dermataphagoides pteronyssinus.  House dust mites are tiny bugs, too small to be seen by the naked eye.  They are oval shaped with eight hairy legs, no eyes, no antenna, and a tough, translucent shell.  They exist on all indoor surfaces as well as suspended in the air.  Dust mites are the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens which easily grow in any home that is not regularly cleaned because the fecal pellets of dust mites contain potent allergens and asthma triggers. 

Dust in human environments typically contain small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, minerals from outdoor dirt, human skin cells, insect parts, rodent and insect feces, and other organic materials from the local environment.  They feed on human skin cells that shed from daily living by secreting enzymes to digest organic particles then excrete feces that together become part of the household dust.  Exposure to these compounds and inhaling them when dust becomes airborne is unhealthy and responsible for a host of health issues like the ones previously mentioned. 

Dust problems escalate because of heat, moisture, and humidity above 70%.  These tiny allergens thrive in a humid environment, yet another good reason to utilize a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level indoors below 45%.  Air purification systems that use HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration are another great defense against the airborne dust indoors.  

There are many ways to fight the build up of dust and the effects that come with these microscopic particles.  Comparative studies have shown that the density of dust mites in mattresses to be on average greater than 2500/gram of dust. House dust mites often live in mattresses and pillows.  Washing pillow cases and sheets once per week in hot water (130 degrees or hotter) can help control them.  Polyester fiber pillows actually contain more grams of fine dust than feather pillows.  It is also recommended to replace synthetic fill pillows every two to three years to avoid unhealthy dust build up.  Placing allergy proof encasements over pillows and mattresses is also an effective control measure.  These should also be washed once a week in hot water.  Using a mattress tool with your vacuum is also very useful in this instance for regular dust removal. 

The most effective way to remove dust from any indoor environment is to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and a bag.  Though bag-less vacuums are all the rage these days, they are not the most effective way to remove all of the dust from the environment.  Open bins, when pulled from the vacuum to empty the debris, re-expose all of the dust particles to the environment.  A bagged vacuum like the Miele vacuum cleaner is the best choice for removing dust throughout the home.