Dangers of Dust in Your Home
You work hard to keep your house clean. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up with the dust that seems to settle everywhere. A little dirt here and there can’t hurt, right? You might not know that too much dust in your home can be harmful. Watch out for these dangers of dust in your home.
Toxins:
Products that are made from plastics and use fragrances can contain phthalates. Phthalates seep out of everyday goods and contaminate the dust in your home. Studies show that these chemicals can act like hormones in your body and affect development. That’s why current laws ban some phthalates from children’s products.
You can still find these chemicals in plastics, cosmetics, and air fresheners, however. The harmful toxins these materials release can get trapped in your HVAC ducts and vents. The system can then circulate toxins in the air. An essential step to better air quality is scheduling a professional duct cleaning.
Dust Mites:
You can’t see dust mites with the naked eye, but they could be lurking in your home. These microscopic critters look like tiny spiders under magnification. Dust mites can cause sneezing and coughing, and trigger an asthma attack. The insects themselves and the waste these bugs produce can make you sick.
To prevent dust mite allergies, keep the humidity in your home at less than 50 percent. Dust mites thrive in humid environments. Change the bed linens regularly and wash the sheets in hot water. Vacuuming with a machine that uses a HEPA filter can help control dust mites also.
Pollen:
HEPA filters can also clean pollen and pet dander out of the air. If you wake up sneezing or with a stuffy nose, the dust in your home may be full of these allergens. You can keep your doors and windows shut and still suffer from allergies.
Allergens may be trapped in bedding and furniture, and in the home’s air vents and ductwork. Change the air filters in your HVAC system regularly and use your air conditioner in humid weather to control allergies. Try to vacuum once or twice a week also.
Critters:
Here’s another reason to get your ducts cleaned by a professional. Your home’s ductwork creates a comfy place for rodents and insects to live and multiply. Mice and rats can make their way into your ventilation system through the attic or basement. Once rodents get into your ductwork, they can build nests throughout the house.
Aside from being gross, critters living in your ducts produce droppings that release chemicals into the air and make you sick. You can set traps to get rid of rodents or hire a pest control service to evict these unwelcome guests from your home.
Dust may look harmless, but dirt can be full of toxins and pests. Dust and clean your home regularly to improve indoor air quality. Change the HVAC filters periodically and schedule a professional duct cleaning. You’ll breathe cleaner air, reduce allergic reactions, and keep toxins out of your home.