According to folklore, dust is made up of human skin. Of course in reality, it’s not true. Although human skin is a part of dust, dust is actually a variety of things. So what exactly is dust comprised of and how is it affecting your indoor air quality?
The Source
There are only two places that dust can come 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 scuffled in on our shoes or through open doors and windows. This makes up about two-thirds of the dust in your home.
The indoor source of your dust is a number of different things. A tiny part of which is, in fact, human skin. Most of it is fibers from your carpet, furniture or bedding, and if you include a pet, there is also some pet dander and fur also.
Dust Mites
Whenever we talk about dust, we must also talk about dust mites. Dust mites are miniscule arachnids and their primary food source is dead human skin cells and they make up a huge percentage 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 upholding a properly humidified home, you’re able to decrease their impact.
What Can You Do?
Lennox provides 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 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 239-244-3439.