Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Do you think the EPA does enough to keep dangerous substances out of the environment?
A study due for autumn publication in the journal Environmental Science & Technology will include very unsettling information about the composition of household dust. It will surely give “clean freaks” even more incentive to work at keeping their homes spotless!
Many people probably already had an idea that there are some really unsavory substances in dust, but most have no clue as to just how bad the stuff really is. The list of “ingredients” ranges from allergens to highly toxic compounds.
The exact composition of dust varies with climate, age of house and number of occupants and the habits of those occupants among other factors. Many things commonly found during the study include:
• Shed human skin
• Animal fur
• Decomposing insects
• Food debris
• Lint
• Tracked-in soil
• Soot
• Particulate matter from smoking and cooking
• Lead
• Arsenic
• DDT
Experts say that there is no reason to panic over the study’s findings, but they do advise keeping your home as clean as possible.
Annie: Here I thought those dust bunnies we occasionally find under the bed were just harmless “toys”.
Charlie: Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about it; according to scientists, EVERYTHING is going to kill you!
Annie: Still, I’m glad Mama works so hard at keeping the house clean.
Charlie: There’s only one problem with that.
Annie: What is the problem?
Charlie: She seems to like to run that noisy vacuum cleaner when Papa and I are trying to watch a ball game!
Annie: If she never cleaned during a game, it would never get done. There’s ALWAYS some sport on TV that you’re watching 24/7!
Charlie: I think you’re exaggerating just a wee bit!?!?
Annie: If you don’t like the current cleaning schedule, you’re free to hop to it and clean whenever it works best for your routine!
Charlie: Ummm, well…That’s OK. Papa and I will just turn up the volume on the TV ‘til we can hear it over the vacuum cleaner!
Annie: You are a real piece of work!
Charlie: Thank you.
********************************************************
Related Reading: Dust Hazards
********************************************************
('
’)
