What Exactly is In That Dust? NPR | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest

What Exactly is In That Dust?
NPR

Dust is bothersome, isn't it? You think you've taken care of it, and then BAM! It shows up all over everything. Lamp shades, floorboards, sofa cushions, you name it. Any kind of intense cleaning gets the achoos going. And that's the problem: dust is pretty darn disgusting.

Why is it that on a microbial level, anything looks gross? When we came across this article from NPR about dust, we immediately imagined all these little toxic particles floating around our apartment.

Dust comes from indoor and outdoor sources, which is why we know it's important to remove our shoes when we come in. Each dust particle is a vehicle for toxins that could be affecting our health.

The good news? Vacuuming helps. Anyone else up for cleaning house this weekend?

(Image: Flickr member Chaps1, licensed under Creative Commons.)

Comments (3)

Dust comes from skin flakes

posted by adviser on November 22nd 2009 at 4:55am
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Clean your air filter and vacuum out your hvac!

posted by DC_Mom on November 23rd 2009 at 2:19pm
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I grew up in a mining-heavy community. You wouldn't BELIEVE the level of dust in the air. On the bright side all the mica floating around made sunbeams extra sparkly and beautiful, despite whatever terrible things it was probably doing to our lungs....

posted by Kaete on November 23rd 2009 at 5:29pm
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