Why should you clean the dust regularly?
- claudia0849
- Mar 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Perhaps the question seems trivial, because we are used to living surrounded by dust, but it is not, since being particles of diverse origin and composition, they can affect us in different ways.
Dust is defined as small, dry, small solid particles projected into the air by natural forces (wind or volcanic eruptions) and by man-made mechanical processes (grinding, pulverizing, drilling, screening, demolition, excavation, abrasion).
Dust particles have a diameter between 1 and 100 μm and settle slowly under the influence of gravity. And they can be very harmful to health, affecting various organic systems, especially the respiratory system.
Why total hygiene in powder is essential
Among the harmful effects of dust, we must especially take into account the respiratory effects, which can cause pneumoconiosis: silicosis, asbestosis, coal miners' pneumoconiosis, siderosis, aluminosis, berylliosis, etc.
It can also cause lung cancer: dust containing arsenic, chromates, nickel, asbestos, radioactive particles, etc. and nasal cancer caused by wood dust in furniture manufacturing and leather dust in shoe industries.
However, respiratory irritation is much more common, much milder and less alarmist, although no less important, with tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonitis, emphysema and pulmonary edema, or allergy, considering occupational asthma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis (vegetable dust and certain metals).
There are other risks such as byssinosis, which is a lung disease caused by cotton, linen or hemp dust, and respiratory infection caused by dust containing fungi, viruses or bacteria. (Data collected by the CSIC).
The prevention of risks in the workplace implies and obliges us to carry out an exhaustive control of cleanliness and hygiene, dust included; influencing any external agent that may put people's health at risk.
Let us bear in mind that there is manganese, lead or cadmium poisoning that can pass into the blood once inhaled as particles, among many others, perhaps milder, that it is not necessary to report.
But, how much dust is too much dust, because although no exposure to dust can be described as healthy or safe, groups of experts have set technical limits, which are determined based on the different types of dust, what values of the respirable fraction are they consider “too much dust”.
Some of these limits are included in the legislation, with which they become an obligation for entrepreneurs and those responsible for the communities of owners. Others can be used as reference values that should not be exceeded.
However, in general, any limit that does not sufficiently guarantee the health of workers can and should be lowered through collective bargaining.
With regard to fibrous materials such as asbestos, the health problems are mainly related to the shape of the particles, and they are extremely dangerous to health.
Why should you dust regularly? Diseases related to dust accumulation
There are many diseases related to exposure to dust, such as cancer, asthma and allergic alveolitis, especially in continuous exposure as an occupational hazard.
This affects the respiratory system, nose and mouth, trachea, lungs, bronchi and bronchioles. Let us bear in mind that inhaling air from the environment (O2, N2, other gases, dust in suspension, etc.) through the nose and mouth to the alveoli, where the exchange of O2/CO2 occurs and CO2 is exhaled into the environment is dangerous. .
And sometimes it is located in the upper airways, but sometimes this dust manages to overcome high barriers until it reaches the lungs, which means that the health risk increases exponentially.
For this reason, not removing the dust with some regularity and allowing it to accumulate can affect our health; and this is confirmed by scientists from George Washington University who have analyzed house dust and have found dozens of toxic chemicals with carcinogenic potential.
One such substance is phthalates, which are often found in everyday items such as food packaging, hairspray, cosmetics, and soaps, and have been linked to health problems ranging from asthma to ADHD to early menopause.
Overall, the phthalate DEHP (used in many plastics) was found at the highest level in dust, followed by phenols, the flame retardants (found in plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, cables, furniture, fabrics, mattresses, polyurethane foam, carpets, rugs, etc.) and highly fluorinated chemical products.
Phthalates are related to hormonal alterations, asthma and autism. Indoor dust has been found to contain these four classes of harmful chemicals in large amounts.
Whether at home or in business, it is essential to remove dust regularly. At Cleaners Garro we are specialists in eliminating dust in communities of owners, where it is unfeasible not to go daily.
Our way of working means that we not only remove dust but also use products that slow down the generation of new potential hazards, without harming people.
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