The Link Between Dust and Respiratory Health

Inside the average home there is a veritable smorgasbord of contaminants waiting to cause issues. You can see them as you move around! Each breath, every footstep, and every movement in the house potentially upsets the dust which naturally settles in your home. When that happens, we inhale potentially harmful contaminants into our lungs causing inflammatory responses which can cause nasty symptoms...but what are we actually breathing?

Some of the allergens living in the dust in your home include:

• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Mold spores
• Bacteria
• Dust mite waste
• Textile fibers
• Skin cells
• Outdoor pollutants
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

All of these can aggravate existing respiratory illness and can have serious long term effects on your overall health. For people with asthma, allergies, sinus issues, and other respiratory sensitivities, exposure to dust can cause sneezing, congestion, coughing, headaches, and can even disrupt your sleep. 

In our mission to deliver the Cleanest, Healthiest, Most Comfortable, Homes possible we have noticed that most homeowners don't realize that the soft surfaces in their home act like a huge filter for the air. Carpets, rugs, and upholstery trap airborne contaminants over time. These contaminants become embedded in the fibers of your soft surfaces as well as the ducts of your central air system and dryer vents.

Very fine particles like PM 2.5 are even more concerning. PM 2.5 refers to the microscopic particulate matter that measures 2.5 microns or below. For some perspective, these particulates are so small that dozens could fit across the width of a single human hair. Because of their incredibly small size, they stay suspended in the air for long periods of time and can easily enter deep into your lungs when inhaled. Pet dander, smoke, scented candles, mold, bacteria and virus's all fall into this category and can wreak havoc on our bodies when they are inhaled. What makes PM 2.5 particularly worrisome is that these particles do not simply irritate the nose or throat - they penetrate deep into the respiratory systems causing allergy symptoms and much worse health complications.

At PCRS our mission is not just about cleaning cosmetically. Yes, your home will look incredible after we're done, but we offer far more than just cleaning what you can see with your eyes. We focus on "cleaning for health". Carpet and upholstery cleaning services remove the dust you can see, and duct cleaning removes the dust and debris that circulate through your home every time your system runs. Annual dryer vent cleanings ensure that your dryer is sending the dust and lint outside where it belongs. 

But what about what's left?

The Aspen Air Purifier is a "must have" for any homeowner concerned with their respiratory health.  The MERV 14 rated allergy filter removes pollen, pet dander, dust mite droppings, and mold spores. The activated carbon filter is an odor and VOC trap and effectively removes VOC's and tobacco smoke. Finally, the largest HEPA filter in any home air purifier on the market helps capture microscopic airborne particles, including PM 2.5, ultrafine dust, virus's and bacteria. Our clients agree the Aspen is a home run when it comes to indoor air quality.

Professional Cleaning and Restoration Systems understands that your home is where you should feel the most comfortable. Rest assured we're prepared with a myriad of services which we can tailor to the exact needs of your home and your family to make that a reality.

When it comes to cleaning, it's not just about having an incredible looking space to call home, that's just where we get started.