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What is dust

01:00 Tue 27th Mar 2001 | Home & Garden

A. Household dust is mainly made up of discarded human skin cells, which explains why it is often a translucent blue-grey icolour. Other elements of dust�such as pollen, tiny particles of soil, soot etc. tend to come in through the window.

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Q. Obviously lots of dust doesn't look very clean, but other than cosmetic considerations, what's the problem

A. It's not so much the dust itself, but what lives on it that can cause problems to human health. This is the unsavoury bit. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on dead human skin. Their faeces easily become airborne and can then cause allergic reactions�such as sneezing, itchy eyes and skin and when breathed in it is a major irritant to sufferers of asthma.

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The average life expectancy for a mite is three months, in which time they can lay up to 400 eggs and excrete 2000 faeces.

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Q. These sort of allergies are said to be on the increase. Is there a link

A. Yes. Unfortunately we are paying the price for our more comfortable lifestyles these days. Dust mites thrive in the warm, humid conditions created by central heating; double glazing and lower temperature detergents. Millions of�mites live the life of Riley in our deep carpets, furniture upholstery, mattresses and bed linen.

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Q. What can we do to combat dust mites

A. There are certain simple, if time consuming steps we can take to reduce the dust mite population:

  • Vacuum the house from top to bottom at least once a week using a high-filtration hoover.
  • Don't confine yourself to the carpets, but include curtains and upholstery as well.
  • Experts recommend cleaning all bed linen at least once a week and washing it at a high temperature, at at least 60 degrees. A mattress cover will also help.
  • Lift old carpets and replacing them with hard surfaces such as lino, tiles or laminate flooring that are easier to clean.
  • Keep the house well ventilated.

If you�want to know the level of dust mites in your house the British Allergy Foundation offer an analysis of a sample of dust from your vacuum cleaner. For an analysis pack, send a cheque for �20 made payable to the British Allergy Foundation, to: British Allergy Foundation, Deepdene House, 30 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PY.

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If you've got a question about your house or garden, click here.

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by Tom Gard

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