According to an urban legend, dust is made up of human skin. Of course, in reality, it’s not correct. Although human skin is a part of dust, dust is a variety of 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 bringing 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 home.
The indoor source of your dust is several different things. A little 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 minuscule 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 love humidity, so by maintaining a correctly humidified home, you’re able to decrease their impact.
What Can You Do?
Lennox provides several products that advance your indoor air quality. We carry a PureAirTM air purification system which is the only single indoor air quality system that fights all three classes of contaminants. We also have whole-home ventilation systems which allow fresh air into today’s tightly sealed homes. And, of course, we have numerous whole-home humidity control options.
Your indoor air quality is crucial to us. We will work with you to keep your home environment as perfect 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 (832) 957-9332.
