Unexplained health symptoms? Test your dust.
What’s in Your Dust?
Dust may seem innocent, but what’s hiding in its’ depths can be downright dangerous. According to a recent article in Consumer Reports, your dust often contains an unhealthy combination of particulates, dander, microplastics, PFAs, pollen, fibers, lead paint and other heavy metal fragments, chemicals, mold spores, mites, and more.
The chemicals in the dust then get into our food and can also be absorbed through our skin into our bodies. And we all inhale it on a regular basis.
Where Does Dust Come From?
Dust is produced by everything from carpets to clothes. But dust from construction can be downright toxic, often containing lead and asbestos. It can easily seep into your apartment, workplace or home, polluting your indoor air and covering your belongings. A simple test can tell you what’s contained in that dust and whether it can cause health damage.
Dust Dangers in Cities
Dangerous lead and asbestos are often found in dust in cities, especially when there is nearby construction. Gabriel Filippelli, PhD, executive director of the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute in Bloomington, has stated that lead-contaminated soils, and dust generated from them, are tightly linked to the lead poisoning of children.
These substances can also cause:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Neurological issues
- Reproductive problems
- Impairing a child’s development
- Cognitive damage
- Other health issues
Dust sampling can help you to identify these and other unknown particles, including mold, lead, asbestos, dander, dust mites, biologicals, minerals, fungal allergens, and synthetics. RTK’s dust characterizations sampling performed by licensed environmental inspectors, can usually determine—or rule out— whatever mysterious matter is plaguing your home or workplace.
When to Test Your Dust
If you are having unexplained symptoms, the answer could be in your dust. If you live or work in a construction area, your neighbor is doing renovation work or remodeling and you notice more dust on your premises, you should consider a dust characterization. You may be at risk, as you don’t know what substances are being carried through the air. Other reasons to have a dust test are:
- If you have small children who crawl on the floor, they are more likely to ingest dust from hand to mouth contact;
- If you are experiencing unexplained health symptoms;
- If you work outdoors or live in a city.
If you are concerned about dust in your home, apartment or workspace call us at (800) 392.6468 to discuss your situation. We’ll tailor our test to your specific needs and environment.
Protect your health and live well!
