What you should know about House Dust? This ever-changing and seemingly ever-present substance has been a concern of housekeepers and allergy patients alike. It is the result of the natural decomposition of the things we have in our homes plus we have dust that infiltrates from the outside through cracks in doors and windows. Wherever it comes from, it causes a lot of symptoms for the allergic person. What is in house dust?The composition varies from house to house, but in general, you might find textile fibers, decomposing insect parts, pet dander, human and animal hair, food leftovers, pollen grains, mold spores, bacteria, skin flakes, insulation, sand, and the most likely offender, the dust mite and its fecal material. What increases the amount of dust in a house?Carpets, draperies, ruffled items, knickknacks, books, magazines, pets, upholstered furniture, animals and pillows, and fireplaces are some of the things that increase dust levels. Infrequent cleaning or cleaning with a vacuum cleaner without a high efficiency filtering device, high traffic levels, location of the house, type of yard, and condition of the central air system can all contribute to the amount of dust in your home For example, if you are in a new neighborhood where there is a lot of construction and the yards are not sodden with grass

, you will have more dust in your home. Leaks in the duct work can cause dust and insulation from the attic to be drawn into the living space. How can I reduce my exposure to house dust? It is best for the dust sensitive person to not do the vacuuming or dusting. If you must do these tasks, wear a mask, and use a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency filter to reduce your exposure. There are electrostatically charged cleaning cloths and mops which attract and hold the dust to keep it from becoming airborne. Using a damp mop on floors and walls can reduce dust levels. Don't forget to clean bed springs, window sills, under furniture, Venetian blinds, and other dust catchers with a damp cloth. Remove carpets and as many dust producing and dust catching items from your home as possible. Select closed book cases and curio cabinets instead of open shelves. Books and magazines are dust catchers. Tile, linoleum, or hardwood floors are much better for the allergic patient than carpets.

Mattresses, box springs, and pillows should be encased with impermeable, zippered covers. New fabrics are now available that are breathable to allow water vapor to pass through for added comfort. Keep clothing in drawers, and closet doors closed. Vacuum frequently with a machine equipped with a High Efficiency Air Filter. Nilfisk, Fantom, Miele, and Euroclean are brands with HEPA filters. A high performance filter in the central air system can remove 90%+ of the dust from the air as it operates. These washable filters should not contain any materials with glue on them. Check with the manufacturer before making a purchase. Room air purifiers are helpful in controlling dust especially in your bedroom. Have the duct system cleaned and checked for leaks. Use wooden, glass, or plastic furniture where possible rather than upholstered items. Antiques often contain high amounts of dust. Use washable curtains or window shades instead of Venetian blinds and heavy draperies.

Select easily cleaned decorations instead of silk or dried flower arrangements, straw, wicker, or fabric wall coverings.HomeAir Purifier For AllergiesBest Air Filter For Allergies: How To Reduce VOCs Exposure in Your Home Best Air Filter For Allergies: How To Reduce VOCs Exposure in Your Home Air Purifier For Allergies, air purifier reviewscleaning air rifle stockAir cleaners effectively remove pollen, animal dander and other pollutants as small as 0.01 microns.panasonic air purifier model Air purifiers are perfect for those who want a healthier home. best air purifying plants for bedroomIn addition to the benefits of an air cleaner, the air purifier will actually trap and kill bacteria in the filter. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (also called MERV) of your air filter refers to the diameter of the holes in the air filter that air passes through.

Higher MERV ratings indicate higher efficiency operation and the smaller holes in the air filter. To kill bacteria and prevent mold that can grow on your indoor coil, consider installing ultra violet lights. The UV lamps are designed to zap the mold and bacteria keeping the air that you breathe cleaner. Everyone knows to install smoke detectors in their home, but if you have any gas appliances (including a furnace, hot water tank, dryer, or stove), fireplace, kerosene heaters, wood stove, or even a garage in you need a carbon monoxide detector. CO detectors alert you to the deadly colorless and odorless gas. Carrier’s carbon monoxide device comes with a wall plug and a rechargeable battery to protect you and your family even in a power outage. A fresh air ventilator allows for fresh air without opening windows. The system connects to your duct exhausting stale air while a separate vent brings in fresh air. These systems help reduce pollutants and odors in your home.What are Dust Mites?

Where are Dust Mites in Your Home? Dust Mites and Your Allergies and Indoor Air Quality Eliminating Dust Mites in your Home Dust Mites are live microscopic insects from the spider family. They travel through the air and are not visible to the human eye. Their primary diet is the dead skin flakes of both humans and animals, and can even feed off mold spores. They flourish more easily in warm, moist environments above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and are found almost everywhere in your home. Estimates are that they can be found in nearly all US households in warm climates, with less in households in cool, dry climates. As a result, they are a major cause of indoor air pollution, and cause a number of seemingly endless health problems, including running noses, dizziness, congestion, sleeping problems, and watering eyes. Doctors see dust mites as a major health hazard, and recommend to anyone who is having allergic reactions, to try and eliminate or at least control the dust mite population in their home.

Where are Dust Mites in your Home? The combination of warm, moist home environments with humidity levels over 60% and where pets and people live is the recipe which dust mites need to thrive. They are found through out the world, and there are at least a dozen species of them which can be found burrowed down into your furniture, carpets and bedding. They are persistent, resilient and invasive. Their feces and body parts float around in the air where you breathe them in, and they jump from place to place in their search for food. Given the right environmental conditions, dust mites reproduce every thirty days and have a life span of about a month, during which time the busy female lays about one egg a day and like all living things, produces feces and dead body parts; it is the feces and body parts to which many of us are allergic. Dust mite populations usually peak in summer months in humid climates, and then are reduced in dryer winter months when they go dormant, but spring into life when the season changes.

The only real way to find out how bad a dust mite infestation is in your home, is to use a dust mite test kit and take samples from bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Dust mites in your Home are found in: Dust Mites, Your Allergies and Indoor Air Quality. Medical researchers hypothesize that it is the growing population of dust mites that is in part responsible for the increasing incidence of asthma and allergy related health problems. The chemical in the dried dust mite feces is called glycoproteins. There is a higher incidence of dust mite allergies in the South East part of the USA estimated to be as much as 25% of the population, whereas in dryer climates researchers put the incidence of dust mite allergies to be as low as 5%.Now you know why some people more to Arizona and feel better as a result! The allergy related health issues stemming form dust mites include: The sad news is that it is well nigh impossible to eliminate dust mites from your home, but with some determination and persistence, you can control them and greatly reduce their population, to the point where they no longer present a health hazard.