What DUST does to your immune system (Gross!)

You probably feel like you’re constantly cleaning up household dust.

But have you ever wondered what all that dust could be doing to your HEALTH?

Sure, it can lead to coughing… sneezing… allergies… asthma and other respiratory issues…

But unfortunately, those are just scratching the surface when it comes to how dust can be hazardous to your health.

There’s no way to completely avoid dust particles in your home… unless you want to become a full-time maid!

The majority of common dust particles are debris and dead skin, which often go unseen.

And because dust particles are so small, they are often inhaled at which point they potentially evoke an immune reaction—usually, coughing or sneezing.

For most folks, exposure to household dust is minor and the typical reactions to dust go away after a thorough cleaning.

But studies have found that dust can also serve as a FOMITE—a fancy term for anything that carries viruses and passes on infections.

In other words, the more dust you like accumulate and circulate in your home… the more your immune system revs into overdrive to help protect you from a nasty virus or infection.

Now you can’t completely avoid dust. But you can take simple steps to limit your dust exposure without hiring a fleet of housecleaners.

One of the best things you can do to ensure quality air in your home is to invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers help eliminate dust, debris, and other harmful particles… and many models, these days, run quietly and efficiently.

You should also regularly change the air filters in your home’s heating and cooling system. Home improvement stores sell all kinds of quality air filters that help trap pollutants from going through the heating and cooling vents in your home. And if you’re running your air conditioner a lot this summer, consider changing those filters at least every 30 days.

And, of course, it doesn’t hurt to regularly wipe the dust off your furniture and surfaces.

To fending off the health risks of dust,

Sarah Reagan

Sources:

NewScientist. “What is dust, and is it harmful to human health?” https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg24232351-500-what-is-dust-and-is-it-harmful-to-human-health/#ixzz7RCMHsQxS