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Fact: the dust in your home is made of fine particles that include dead skin cells, outdoor debris, textile fibers, and animal hair. Additionally, indoor dust also contains plant pollen, paper fibers, and burnt meteorite particles. In total, the dust found in your home has over 45 chemicals that have been found to be unsafe, and dangerous, when inhaled and ingested — but what does that all entail? Let us explain:
What Chemicals are Found in Dust?
Believe it or not, there are many chemicals found in dust, which include phthalates, phenols, and flame preventatives. Phthalates, harmful plastic-based chemicals, can be found lingering among the following items in your home: vinyl flooring, blinds, and packaging for food/personal care products. Additionally, preservatives used in many shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics also contain toxic phenols, which have the potential to cause reproductive and hormonal issues.
Furthermore, the chemical madness doesn’t just stop there: mattresses, electronics, and insulation in your home all contain flame preventatives. Even though these substances are found in everyday products, they are the reason for many health-related issues down the road. To take precaution, it’s best to continue to wash your hands, regularly, to rid of many airborne chemicals that linger from dust.
How Does Dust Affect Your Health?
Although the dust around your home doesn’t look dangerous at first glance, it does contain a series of chemicals that are hazardous to you and your family. These substances, over time, can cause cancer, hormonal disorders, and even reproductive issues. Additionally, they can also negatively impact medical conditions (primarily in children) that affect the nervous system.
Since children are most likely to put their hands in their mouths and play on the floor, they are most likely to ingest dust, which makes them more susceptible to these chemicals. When the human body is exposed to these harmful dust-related substances, then the risk of developing a medical condition is amplified.