According to an old story, 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 a variety of things. So what exactly is dust made of and how is it affecting your indoor air quality?
The Source
There are only two areas that dust can stem from, indoors and outdoors, and we are the ones that are bringing dust inside from the outdoors. The outdoor part of dust consists of soil particles and pollen scuffled in on our shoes or through open doors and windows. This adds up to 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. A majority 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 speak of dust, we must also talk about dust mites. Dust mites are tiny arachnids and their main food source is dead human skin cells and they make up a large part 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 thrive in humidity, so by upholding a successfully humidified home, you’re able to lower their impact.
What Can You Do?
Lennox carries a number of products that improve 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 important to us. We will work with you to keep your home environment as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions about your air quality or anything important 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 717-220-4502.