Household dust isn’t just dirt—it’s a mixture of tiny particles that can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. The most common dust allergens include:
Dust Mites: Microscopic pests that thrive in warm, humid environments. They feed on human skin flakes, and their waste is a powerful allergen.
Pet Dander: Tiny skin flakes shed by cats, dogs, birds, and other animals. Dander is lightweight and can linger in the air or travel on clothing—even in homes without pets.
Mold Spores: Mold releases spores that can mix into household dust. When inhaled, they can cause allergy symptoms and worsen asthma.
Pollen: Carried indoors by people, pets, and air currents, pollen can settle into dust and continue triggering seasonal allergy symptoms.
Insect Fragments: Dust can also contain parts of cockroaches or other insects, which are known asthma triggers.
When inhaled, dust allergens can cause:
Sneezing, coughing, and runny nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Congestion and throat irritation
Increased frequency or severity of asthma attacks
For people who are sensitive, children, or those with asthma, exposure to indoor dust allergens can significantly reduce comfort and quality of life.
To reduce dust allergen exposure:
Vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly
Wash bedding in hot water weekly
Reduce indoor humidity below 50%
Use dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth
Seal cracks to keep insects out
While cleaning helps, it may not eliminate hidden allergens entirely.
Every home is different. Factors like ventilation, humidity, and building materials affect how allergens accumulate. That’s why professional indoor air quality and dust testing can be valuable.
Testing can:
Measure actual levels of dust allergens in your home
Identify hidden sources of mold, dander, or insect allergens
Provide recommendations tailored to your environment
Give you peace of mind about your family’s health
Don’t guess—know what’s in your home. Angstrom Testing Services provides dust and indoor air quality testing to help you pinpoint allergen sources and create a healthier living space.
📞 Call us today at 516-724-4574 to schedule testing and protect your home from dust-related health risks.
Dust allergens in mattresses, pillows, and-carpeting can be expected. We can perform dust sampling and laboratory analysis to determine if dust mite allergen levels are elevated. To reduce the potential of exposure to dust mite allergens, we recommend that you consider covering couches, love seats, mattresses, bedding with very fine count (300+) sheet(s), and that you vacuum only with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.
In 1994 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a major study of indoor air quality in public and commercial office buildings called Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE). A total of 100 buildings were studied following a Standardized EPA Protocol for Characterizing Indoor Air Quality in Large Office Buildings (USEPA, 1994). Dust allergen samples were collected for three major indoor dust allergens to expand the existing database on potential exposures to these known agents of allergic rhinitis and asthma in public and commercial office buildings. Cats and mites are among the few biological agents for which evidence of a causal relationship with asthma has been established (IOM, 2000). Skin test reactivity to animal dust allergens (primarily cat antigens) and house dust mites has been found in >25% of the population (IOM, 1993). A literature review concluded that pet allergens are found everywhere and vary with visits by persons with pets, presence of textile surfaces, cleaning standards, ventilation and activity, and season (higher in the heating season) (Ahlbom et al., 1998).
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA)
American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration & Certification (IICRC)