Dust is a tiny, powder-like particle from the surrounding waste lying on the surfaces or lingering in the air. Although you cannot completely eliminate dust, no matter how much you vacuum, sweep, or wipe it, that doesn’t mean you should stop trying to remove it. If you can’t entirely eradicate it, the best is to lessen its presence.
Aside from the fact that dust can make your surroundings dirty and filthy, it can also bring health risks to you and your family. That is why you must know how to eliminate them in your home and possibly prevent them from entering the surrounding environment.
Dust from inside your home
According to environmental health scientists, one-third of household dust is from your home’s interiors. Several factors add to its cause, depending on the type of your house, its surrounding environment, and the occupants’ lifestyles.
Some other factors that significantly contribute to the amount of dust accumulated in your home are the following:
- Home pet’s dead skin cells, dander, and dust mites
- Decomposed insects
- Food debris in the kitchen area
- Fiber strands from beddings and carpets
- Particulate matter from cooking food or smoking cigarettes
Although these may seem harmless individually, dust from these matters can affect the health of individuals. For instance, dead skin cells and dander coming from your pets can easily trigger human allergens.
Dust from man-made chemicals
Aside from common materials, dust can be accumulated from human-made chemicals, especially from surface protectants and flame retardant chemicals that are common on chemically-treated furniture and clothing. Scientists claim that they found traces of components, present in the same chemicals, in the human blood and tissue. They also said that such dust particles have entered the human body through inhalation or digestion.
Some ways to battle this type of dust problem and promote better healthcare in your home is to avoid using such chemicals. Keeping your home pet-free and fiber-free will also significantly help, although that may be a challenge.
Dust from the outdoors
Two-thirds of dust lingering in your home interiors is accumulated from the outdoors. It enters your home mostly through the sole of your shoes and paws of pets. It can also be carried in the air through open vents, windows, and doorways.
Lead is one of the most hazardous elements present in outdoor dust that can trigger health risks. It can be from industrial sources, leaded gasoline vehicles, or lead-based paints. This element can cause poisoning in children, and in extreme cases, permanently disable them.
The simple yet effective ways of lessening the dust that carries lead particles into your home are the following:
- Ensure that everyone in the house takes off their shoes and jackets before entering the home. This is especially important as shoes can carry traces of hazardous materials, such as cancer-causing toxins from asphalt roads.
- Clean up the paws of your pet before letting them inside of your home.
Conclusion
Dust, as tiny as it may seem, can trigger health risk to individuals, especially to children. It can be accumulated on various indoor and outdoor sources, and also on human-made chemicals. As a homeowner, you should always be mindful of what enters your home. It would be best if you take extra precautions to protect your family’s health and promote better healthcare.
To read more health news today, make sure to visit our blog at Dose of Healthcare. We publish various health and medical news regularly as we promote better healthcare for everyone!
