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A brief insight to Dust, Dust Mites and Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term which refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

While there is little we can do about the exterior environmental conditions and the impact they make on our day to day lives there is plenty we can do to improve the indoor air quality of our homes and commercial spaces.

There are many different types of allergies a very short list:
Skin allergies, Dust allergies (Dust, Dust Mites), Pet allergies, Insect allergies and Mold allergies are some of the most common.

The above allergies can often be relieved or eliminated with good indoor air quality management.

• Ventilation: the provision of fresh air to a room, building, etc

• Filtration: the action or process of filtering something. (Dust, Dust Mites)
“small particles are difficult to remove without filtration”

• Humidity: a quantity representing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

• Remediation: the action of remedying something, in particular of reversing or stopping environmental damage.

The most common question we receive is “My home is so dusty can you eliminate our dust?”

There really isn’t a simple answer here, but to say yes and no. We can eliminate the dust and dust mites that are harmful to your lungs and health that stay airborne, over time and with the right filtration system, but that visual dust which is so heavy probably not without removing the source. 

Dust and dust allergies make it difficult to breathe and may trigger asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. People with dust allergies often suffer the most inside their own homes or in other people’s homes. Their symptoms often worsen during or immediately after vacuuming, sweeping and dusting. The process of cleaning can stir up dust particles, making them easier to inhale.

To manage a dust allergy, it’s best to avoid the things most likely to cause an allergic reaction. Here are some simple steps to reduce exposure to indoor dust:

• Install wood flooring rather than wall-to-wall carpets when possible, especially in bedrooms.
• Clean your house regularly, using a central vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you are allergic, wear an N95 filter mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming. (It can take more than two hours for the dust to settle after a thorough cleaning—so, if possible, clean when the allergic patient is away, and avoid cleaning the bedroom of an allergic person at night.)
• Use “mite-proof” cases on your mattresses and pillows. Wash all bed linens regularly, using hot water.
• Keep a HEPA air cleaner running in the allergic person’s bedroom.
• Keep pets out of the allergic person’s bedroom at all times.
• Install a high-efficiency media filter with a high MERV rating of 11 to 16 in the furnace and the air conditioning unit. Leave the fan on to create a “whole house” air filter system that removes particulates. Change the filter at least every three months (with the change of the seasons) to keep the air clean year-round. Have your heating and air conditioning units inspected and serviced regularly.

We offer FREE in home evaluations, particle counts and HEPA demonstration.
Call us today 289-397-0717