Airborne Particles, Dust, Smoke, and Pollen

Airborne

Airborne particles can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and increase respiratory problems, especially in those with preexisting medical conditions, such as cardiovascular illness and immune system diseases.

Many types of particles, such as smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen can trigger asthma found inside the home. In addition, if certain chemicals attached to particles are inhaled on a regular basis, they may cause lung cancer.

Airborne particles include:

Allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold and dust. Allergens can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems and asthma attacks.
Biological particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They can cause infectious and non-infectious diseases, such as colds, influenza, and respiratory infections.
Toxic particles, such as cigarette smoke, wood smoke, lead dust and asbestos.

Dust

Dust in the home is made up of small particles of plant and animal debris. The EPA says that about 40 pounds of dust are generated each year for every 1500 square feet of living space. Every speck of dust in the home carries about 40,000 dust mites, along with other allergens like dead skin, pet dander, insect parts, mold spores, bacteria, food particles, fabric fibers, and more. The main causes of allergy symptoms in house dust are dust mites and insect (cockroach) debris.

Dust allergy symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Dust can also trigger asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. During the allergy season of spring through fall, these symptoms are commonly caused by pollen, and people with hay fever are affected. However, if you suffer from allergy symptoms all year, even during non-allergy season, then you are probably reacting to dust in the home.

Smoke

Most of you have heard of secondhand smoke, also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). You know it as the smoke exhaled by smokers. But there is also the smoke that is given off from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe which contaminates air around it. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 4,000 substances in secondhand smoke of which as many as 250 are toxic, and 50 of those are cancer-causing (carcinogenic). The EPA has determined that there are an estimated 3000 lung cancer deaths per year caused by exposure to secondhand smoke and increased risk of heart disease.

Children are especially susceptible to secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing; they breathe much faster than adults do, and they do not have any control over their indoor environment. Secondhand smoke can increase:

New cases of asthma in kids who have not previously shown symptoms,
Asthma attacks, and
The severity of asthma attacks in children that currently have the disease. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) The chance that children will develop middle ear infections The risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections like bronchitis and pneumonia in children younger than six years old

Pollen

Pollen in the home is a common indoor allergen (particle that triggers allergy symptoms). Trees, weeds, plants and grasses release tiny reproductive particles each spring, fall, and summer. These particles are commonly known as pollen, and are carried into the home by the wind. Pollen in the home enters people’s bodies through the mouth and nose, and in many people (1 in 7) it triggers allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

Ragweed is a very common producer of pollen. A single plant can produce 1,000,000 granules of pollen per day which the wind can then carry for miles. Samples of ragweed pollen have been collected 2 miles up in the air, and 400 miles out to sea, so virtually no matter where you live, pollen in the home is a potential indoor air quality problem.

Because pollen is pretty much everywhere, it is very difficult to avoid. Even if you stay inside the majority of the time, you can still be exposed because pollen will find its way into your home.

Pollen in the home is difficult to get rid of, but it is possible to control the levels. However, two very effective means to control pollen levels are source removal and installing proper filtration.

Tom Rostron Co., Inc.

Our website can help you:

Call Us Today

Find Us