It is easy to over look dust on the windowsills as shown in the image below until one is close enough to see them clearly. Nonetheless, dust can have adverse effects to individual’s health especially those who suffer from respiratory diseases, allergies, and other illnesses. It is therefore very important that such areas are cleaned often in order to keep the environment clean.
Possible Health Risks of Dust
1. Respiratory Issues: As is already understood, the inhalation of dust particles may lead to the inflammation of the respiratory system’s tissues. This can trigger their symptoms or even aggrate conditions such as asthama, COPD or bronchitis amongst others. Pneumonia or bronchitis, for example, can occur to a healthy person if he or she inhales too much dust that triggers coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation.
2. Allergies : Dust mite is the most common indoor allergen since is formed part of the dust present in most homes. A few of the symptoms may include sneezing, stuffy or running nose, red and itchy eyes together with skin rashes. This sometimes leads to allergic effects and when one is exposed to the allergens for sometime, the effects are severe.
3. Skin Irritations: For this reason some people may develop skin rashes or itchiness from dust in cases where they have dust mite allergies or other allergies present in dust.
4. Worsening of Existing Health Conditions: However, there are certain circumstances that one is vulnerable to these dust effects, such as when one is sick or has a weak immune system like AIDS patients then being exposed to dust for long will pose some difficulties. This can also prevent treatment to illnesses and is also a cause for more serious ailments that affect the respiratory system or infections.
Tips on How to Clean Dust Efficiently
- When cleaning dust from the window sill and other places, a damp cloth or a microfiber duster is crucial so the dust will be pinned and does not spread around, hence allowing for appropriate cleaning.
- Vacuum Regularly: Carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture often host copious amounts of dust. Regular vacuuming along with a vacuum that contains a HEPA filter could help reduce the amount of dust that builds up.
- Air Purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with fitted HEPA filters in order to catch dust particles that float in the air and clean up indoor air.
- Seal Gaps and Cracks: Reduce entry of dust into your house by sealing gaps around windows and doors. It reduces the amount of dust but also maintains the indoor temperature.
Change Bedding Frequently: As bedding provides the right environment for dust mites to live, changing the sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding once every week by washing them in hot water is required.
Why It is Important to Do Cleaning On a Regular Basis
1. Preventing Allergies and Respiratory Issues: window and floor sills and other places, which gather dust with regular cleaning of those areas, the amount of airborne particles is lowered and this reduces the chances of one developing allergic reactions or respiratory illnesses. The cleanliness of the house is crucial in reducing dust exposure but it is most recommended for children, those of elderly age and people with health issues.
2. Maintaining a Healthy Living Environment: Hygienic and clean environment increases the quality of the air inside buildings, which is very crucial for human health. If allowed to remain on the floor and other surfaces, dust may contain bacteria, mould and other pathogens that may cause indoor air pollution and thus, an unhealthy environment indoors.
3. Prolonging the Life of Home Furnishings: I also found that dust is able to wear out the furniture, fabrics and other household equipments. Cleaning with dust often can also help in avoiding wearing away of some of these items thus prolonging their use and new look.
