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 composed of and how is it affecting your indoor air quality?
The Source
There are only two areas that dust can form from, indoors and outdoors, and we are the people that are walking dust inside from the outdoors. The outdoor part of dust is made up of soil particles and pollen brought in on our shoes or through open doors and windows. This contributes to about two-thirds of the dust in your house.
The indoor source of your dust is a number of various things. A small part of which is, in fact, human skin. A majority of it is fibers from your carpet, furniture or bedding, and if you have a pet, there is also some pet dander and fur too.
Dust Mites
Whenever we speak of dust, we must also talk about dust mites. Dust mites are miniscule arachnids and their top food source is dead human skin cells and they make up a majority of dust. Dust mite droppings are the most common cause of allergy and asthma symptoms according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Dust mites also prosper in humidity, so by managing a successfully humidified home, you’re able to decrease their impact.
What Can You Do?
Lennox carries 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 battles all three classes of contaminants. We also have whole-home ventilation systems which brings fresh air into today’s tightly sealed homes. And, of course, we have many whole-home humidity control options.
Your indoor air quality is important 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 related 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 952-373-0377.