1. Around 360 types of dangerous toxic substances can be present in household dust, and sometimes it can be more toxic than outdoor dust.
2. One third of this is due to weather, climate and different types of materials used in house construction.
3. All food items made, or rotting, in the kitchen, insects eating them, carpet dust and fiber, cotton coming out of clothes and bedding etc. are also part of this dust.
4. Most of the dust is produced from furniture, sofas, mattresses, blankets, clothes, newspapers, books, and footwear.
5. This dust also contains bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, plant fibres, leaf tissues, microscopic organisms and their excreta.
6. In homes with pets, their fallen hair and dead cells also add to this dust.
7. About 30 lakh people die every year from such household dust, and about 5 lakh of them are Indians.
What to do?
1. Get every water leakage in the house fixed immediately.
2. For movement of clean air, keep windows open.
3. After dusting, wipe the surface with a wet cloth too.
4. Occasionally clean chairs, sofas, curtains, bedding etc. with a vacuum cleaner.
5. Keep mattresses, rugs, carpets and bedding in the sun from time to time.
6. In place of carpets and rugs, use wooden floors, tiles etc.
7. Keep plants or flowers in open places only.
8. Do not allow pets in the bedroom.
9. Always cover your mouth while dusting.