There is a common myth that the majority of household dust is our skin. But what else is included in this dust? For example, in winter, when windows remain closed, where does the dust come from?
It is surprising to realize that the dust in your home may contain particles of your skin. But how true is this?
Skin cells are indeed part of the "mixed household dust." Dust also includes paint from walls, various fibers, mold, hair, building materials, pollen, bacteria, viruses, body parts of insects, skin flakes, ash, soot, minerals, and soil particles...
This list is based on a dust study conducted in Canada, where scientists collected dust samples from 1,025 homes to assess lead levels. Certainly, the proportions of each component may vary depending on the specific home. For example, a newly constructed building may have a lot of dust from drywall or other building materials. A house located near a busy road is likely to have more pollutants from vehicle exhaust compared to a house in a forested area.
As for skin, humans are present in every home. According to a study conducted in 2009, 60% of dust is generated indoors, while 40% consists of particles that come from outside. However, this 60% is not made up solely of skin. Indeed, people shed a significant amount of skin cells. According to the American Chemical Society, the average adult loses about 500 million skin cells daily, which amounts to about 0.03 to 0.09 grams of skin flakes per hour.
Nevertheless, not all dead skin cells remain on the floors of your home. Many of them are washed down the drain during bathing or showering, while others end up on clothing and are eventually removed in the washing machine. Therefore, skin is not a major component of household dust.
