Chemicals and mites: These dangers lurk in house dust

House dust is not only annoying, it can also be contaminated by mites and chemicals and can therefore be dangerous. What lurks in amphibians is not without it at all.

Dangerous substances and mites in house dust

Household dust is everywhere: on boxes, tables, sofas or under furniture. This does not only harm allergy sufferers, but - due to chemicals and mites in the dust - every resident.

• House dust is never the same. It is composed of the substances that occur in the respective room. So the dust in the office is different than at home. It mainly consists of fabric fibers, skin flakes, soot, street dirt, pollutants such as chemicals, mites and bacteria.
• Around 10 million mites live in your bed. The animals are not dangerous, but their legacies trigger allergies in some people. Mites feed on human dander and are only 0.1 millimeters in size.
• A study by George Washington University in Washington DC found 45 different chemicals in house dust.
• Plasticizers and phthalates are high on the list. These substances are mainly contained in plastic, for example we bring them home in the form of packaging. Plasticizers are suspected of damaging the human hormone system, phthalates have a negative effect on the respiratory tract and the immune system.
• You should be particularly careful with children - they like to put everything in their mouth, including dust.
• Phenols also make up a large part of the dust. They are mainly distributed via cleaning agents. Phenols damage the central nervous and cardiovascular systems and digestion.
• Flame retardants in house dust can affect brain performance. They can be found in insulation materials, carpets, upholstered furniture and electronic devices such as televisions.

How to fight house dust properly

Keep your home dust-free as much as possible to reduce chemicals and mites. Follow these steps:

• Ventilate your rooms well at least once a day. The air humidity remains low and the fresh air cleans.
• Avoid carpets. Parquet or laminate is easier to clean. If you want a carpet, go for one with a short pile. These can be vacuumed better.
• Banish dust collectors from your home. Too many decorative objects, plush toys and toys increase the dust.
• Pay attention to smooth surfaces on your furniture. They are easier to clean and the dust does not adhere to them.
• Clean your apartment with gentle cleaning agents at least once a week. Use damp cloths and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. It removes suspended matter from the air.