Dust: An Unsightly Health Hindrance

Dust. We work hard to keep it out of sight. It causes us to sneeze and it seems to be constantly building up around us. This household nuisance isn’t just unpleasant to look at, it can exacerbate preexisting health problems and even create new ones. We try our hardest to keep it at bay but what about the dust we can’t see? By the time dust has built a visible layer, you’ve already been breathing in its combination of organic and inorganic particles.

Dust is comprised of many particles including pet hair and dander, human skin cells, food particles, pollen, and rodent/insect waste. Humans have their own breathing filtration system to stop large particles expelled when we sneeze or blow our noses. However, the smaller particles tend to make their way into our lungs, which is where problems begin.

According to the American Lung Association, “exposure to dust mites at home can dramatically impact the health of people with asthma and those who are allergic or particularly sensitive to mites.” These allergy flare ups result in headaches, difficulty breathing, irritated eyes, and sneezing. Asthma is also intensified with the presence of dust, leaving sufferers relying on medication to avoid an asthma attack. Dust doesn’t just affect our lungs, it can cause skin issues to arise that range from simple itching to harmful dermatitis.

There are several recommendations when it comes to tackling and eliminating this unsightly health trigger, but a common remedy is introducing an air purifier into your home. And it’s imperative that the air purifier contain a HEPA filter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only these filters will capture the most penetrating particle size. Fortunately, every Winix air purifier contains a True HEPA filter. Winix True HEPA filters capture 99.99%* of airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns in size.

While we can’t eliminate dust entirely, the combination of cleaning and an air purifier can significantly reduce the unpleasant side effects of dust. While you work hard in tackling dust on surfaces, Winix works hard in eliminating the presence of particles suspended in the air, ensuring the best air and better health for you and your family.

*Based on independent laboratory tests conducted on inanimate particles as small as 0.003 microns.