2007-03-06 23:11:48 · 13 answers · asked by Alan K 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The majority of dust is human skin cells that have flaked off unless you have pets, then it is their dander
2007-03-06 23:15:19 · answer #1 · answered by vospire s 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What we call "dust" in houses is a combination of a lot of things: skin cells from humans, dander from pets, but also dirt that comes through cracks in the walls, ceiling, doors, and windows (no house is totally enclosed)...then there's "dust" coming from wooden furniture and building materials, chipping paint and plaster, and so forth, as well as little critters and insects.
If we looked at dust microscopically, we'd see a smorgasbord of material!
2007-03-07 07:16:58 · answer #2 · answered by an_articulate_soul 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dust is dead skin cells that fall of your body, and particles u bring into ur house from outside. if u notice, when u go on holiday or away from ur house, u wont have as much dust in ur house!!!
2007-03-07 07:18:27 · answer #3 · answered by binxyuk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of dust is made up of dead skin cells from skin that is regularly sloughed off and hair from both people, animals and insects. There are mites that feed off these cells and a little lint mixed in too.
2007-03-07 07:16:14 · answer #4 · answered by °ĠיִяĿỵ° 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rather than a single substance, so-called house dust is a varied mixture of potentially allergenic materials. It may contain fibers from different types of fabrics; cotton lint, feathers, and other stuffing materials; dander from cats, dogs, and other animals; bacteria; mold and fungus spores (especially in damp areas); food particles; bits of plants and insects; and other allergens peculiar to an individual home.
House dust also contains microscopic mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive in summer and die in winter. In a warm, humid house, however, they continue to thrive even in the coldest months. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead dust mites and their waste-products. These waste-products, which are proteins, actually provoke the allergic reaction.
2007-03-07 07:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by Air Force guy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Along with all the usual causes (skin, dirt, etc.), a major cause of dust in your home is outer space, yes, cosmic dust.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0418/p25s02-stss.html
2007-03-07 07:28:40 · answer #6 · answered by asyland 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some 80%+ is formed by dead skin cells.
2007-03-07 07:15:02 · answer #7 · answered by Whatever. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the TV screen. Boston the Border Collie casts his hair everywhere else. It clogs up the vacuum cleaner!
2007-03-07 07:25:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i alway's thought house dust was skin cells!
2007-03-07 07:14:30 · answer #9 · answered by Kelly 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
skin and hair
also if you have your windows open in the summer and live near the road that helps too
smoke and heating your house in the winter also does it
2007-03-07 07:18:41 · answer #10 · answered by elite_women_rule_the_rock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋