Domestic dust

Domestic dust is a mixture of organic and inorganic substances. Its composition is very varied and we can find, among its main components, sulphates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, fungi, spores, mites, excrement or pollen, among other elements, which cause allergies and other respiratory diseases.

They are the most important air pollutants in terms of danger to human health, since they can be inhaled and thus penetrate the respiratory system; The smaller ones (2.5 microns in diameter or lower -PM2.5-) can even reach the pulmonary alveoli and carry harmful substances to very sensitive areas and make worse pathologies that can even lead to a premature death

Another common route of absorption is through the skin, especially in the case of pesticides.

The emission of dust usually comes from chemical products common to households that are part of pesticides used (for the protection of wood or plants), fire retardants (from plastics, fabrics or wood), plasticizers, aromatic contaminants, insulating elements (such as mineral fibres) or spores of fungi and mites.

In the home, we can usually find sources of electrical appliances and devices, fabrics, furniture, carpets, paintings, cleaning products, perfumes, air fresheners, domestic pesticides, etc.

World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that chronic exposure to particles, especially the finest, aggravates the risk of developing cardiopathy and pneumonia, as well as lung cancer.

The WHO air quality guide explains the complexity of establishing a safe threshold below which it is not possible to anticipate adverse effects on health. It suggests that the optimal pulse value is as low as possible.

The use of vacuum cleaners with fine particle filters (HEPA) and the proper maintenance of air conditioning systems help reduce environmental dust. However, if there are sources of high dusty emission for human health, these preventive measures may not be sufficient.