About Dust & Dust mites
Dust Mites "One of the most highly allergenic contaminants found indoors" This is an allergy to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in all dwellings and workplaces. These mites are perhaps the most common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. This allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma. What is house dust? Rather than a single substance, so-called house dust is a varied mixture of potentially allergenic materials. It may contain fibers from different types of fabrics; cotton lint, feathers, and other stuffing materials; dander from cats, dogs, and other animals; bacteria; mold and fungus spores (especially in damp areas); food particles; bits of plants and insects; and other allergens peculiar to an individual home. House dust also contains microscopic mites. They live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, and they thrive in summer and die in winter. In a warm, humid house, however, they continue to thrive even in the coldest months. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead dust mites and their waste products. These waste products, which are proteins, actually provoke the allergic reaction. Air Cleaning: One must control the levels of dust mites. Beds are a prime habitat, a typical mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. Mites prefer warm, moist surroundings such as the inside of a mattress when someone is on it. Their favourite food is dander (human skin flakes), also, bedroom carpeting and household upholstery support high mite populations. Dust mites, due to their very small size (250 to 300 microns in length) and translucent bodies, are not visible to the unaided eye. For accurate identification, one needs at least 10X magnification. There are eight hairy legs, no eyes, no antennae, a mouthpart group in front of body (resembles a head) and a tough, translucent shell, giving a "fearsome appearance”
WHAT METHODS CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR AIR POLLUTION?
The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution are:
Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution; although it is difficult to force pets outdoors, stop smokers and eliminate all odors.
Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation; in the winter however, venting to the outdoors may increase heating and energy costs.
Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods and products.
The first approach -- source control -- involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity and moisture, and occasional cleaning and disinfection of wet or moist surfaces), and using good housekeeping practices to control particles.
The second approach -- outdoor air ventilation -- is also effective and commonly employed. Ventilation methods include installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flows in mechanical ventilation systems, and opening windows, especially when pollutant sources are in use.
The third approach – clean the air -- the best method is used to supplement source control and ventilation. Air filters, Electronic Particle Air Cleaners and Ionizers are often used to remove airborne particles, and gas adsorbing(Activated Carbon) material is sometimes used to remove gaseous contaminants when source control and ventilation are inadequate.