According to an urban legend, dust is made up of human skin. Of course in reality, it’s not true. Although human skin does make up some of what is dust, dust is actually various things. So what exactly is dust comprised of and how is it hurting your indoor air quality?
The Source
There are only two areas that dust can stem from, indoors and outdoors, and we are the people that are bringing dust inside from the outdoors. The outdoor part of dust is made up of soil particles and pollen tracked in on our shoes or through open doors and windows. This makes up about two-thirds of the dust in your interior.
The indoor source of your dust is a number of different things. A small part of which is, in fact, human skin. A large amount of it is fibers from your carpet, furniture or bedding, and if you own a pet, there is also some pet dander and fur as well.
Dust Mites
Whenever we talk about dust, we must also talk about dust mites. Dust mites are tiny arachnids and their top food source is dead human skin cells and they make up a majority of dust. Dust mite droppings are the top cause of allergy and asthma symptoms according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Dust mites also thrive in humidity, so by upholding a correctly humidified home, you’re able to lower their impact.
What Can You Do?
Lennox produces a number of products that raise your indoor air quality. We carry a PureAirTM air purification system which is the only single indoor air quality system that combats all three classes of contaminants. We also have whole-home ventilation systems which transports fresh air into today’s tightly sealed homes. And, of course, we have many whole-home humidity control options.
Your indoor air quality is crucial to us. We will work with you to keep your home environment as excellent as possible. If you have any questions about your air quality or anything affiliated to the comfort of your home, our professionals are just a phone call away. We make it simple to schedule an appointment with us by giving us a call at 540-636-3396.