Dust Bunnies May Be Dust Devils In Disguise

Toxic chemicals found in household dust

You may want to start dusting the house a little more often. Researchers Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University have been collecting dust samples and have found everyday items like non-stick cookware, kids toys, pizza boxes and cellphones are releasing toxic chemicals into the air that settle into the dust in your home. Ten harmful chemicals were found in 90 per cent of the samples collected. Infants and young children at the greatest risk from this since they crawl and play on dusty floors, and have a tendency to put their hands in their mouths. While the risks posed by household dust may seem small, researchers warn the chemical concentrations can build up quickly, especially given the exposure risks outside the home.

photo: Juan J. Martínez via Flickr