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Most Americans usually are not fully tuned in to the road dust problem that exists across the nation. This dust is of a new makeup from what’s found around in most residences. The dust that builds-up around on the pieces of furniture is made up of some dirt particles, but its main component is lifeless human skin cells that have fallen off the occupants in the dwelling.
For a particle to be considered dust, it needs to be lesser than 500 micrometers in size. This is exactly why HEPA filters are used on vacuum cleaners and as a part of the HVAC units within the people’s homes, they trap 99.97% of all particles which are 0.03 micrometers in size.
Nuisance polution particles from the roads has a totally different makeup and source. This dust is produced when the soil is disrupted and made airborne from wind or perhaps a passing vehicle, pollution in the air, as well as the occasional volcanic dust that lingers around in the atmosphere.
There is little anybody can do in regards to the volcanic dust problem. The supply of the pollutant dust is the best place to regulate that problem source, and road dust might be controlled by economical means. The main reason this is now so important is the particular makeup of the dust that is kicked up every time a vehicle passes over any road in America. In 1999, a study was performed by Ann Miguel, PhD. and Glen Cass, PhD. with the Environmental Engineering Science Department at Caltech in Pasadena that studied the hazards from dust by the roads. They discovered that over twenty diverse sources of allergens were at hand on paved roads alone that exacerbated, or would in reality cause, allergic reactions in people.
The Federal Highway Administration of America has reported one can find over 3.9 million miles of roads across our nation of which 70% is unpaved. The dust and debris from these surfaces can contribute around 10 million tonnes of airborne substance in the form of dust each year, in accordance with the 1997 National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report conducted with the EPA. The spreading of this airborne nuisance dust had already been considered by the US Forestry Service. They estimated that for each vehicle that traveled only one mile down an unpaved road every day for a year would place 1 tonne of said dust into the air that may cover an area round the road about 500 feet.
Common earlier road dust control measures involved wetting the roads down with water. This can be an effective but short-lived solution that is definitely still used today. Since nuisance dust is becoming a greater worry, better road dust products are being developed. These include the use of surfactants that last longer than water, but remain just a quick temporary fix. Adhesives widely-used in some cases to bind the dust to the surface and seal it. An example of this type of product is tree sap or lignin sulfonate. Chlorinated salts are helpful in keeping the moisture level set to help reduce the potential of dust becoming airborne through the sheer weight of themselves.
Road dust is more than just a nuisance to folks that have allergies, and products to manage it are being developed and improved to meet this need on never-ending basis.
Many people think of allergies as being an affliction which only affects people when they are outdoors during the early summer months. While dust can make people sniffly and itchy when they are outside, many unseen allergens can actually be found in the beds and carpeting inside our homes every day. It feels like each allergy season is worst than the previous one and whether you are allergic to dust or pollen, it’s not fun being itchy and sneezey all the time. Here are a few things you can do around your home to help reduce the allergens around you:
Replace air filters in your house: Your home probably has many air filters that you don’t always remember to change. Most homes with central air will have a whole house filter that should be replaced every two to four months. A old air filter can block air flow and actually start to blow out pollen and other allergens if it is not changed regularly. Most air filters are inexpensive and easy to change out if you remember to do so. Using a plug-in air purifier is helpful only if you change the filter regularly. A quick filter replacement can really pay for itself by lowering your electric bill.
Install hardwood floors: Smooth flooring like hardwood, laminate, stone or even vinyl are all better choices than rugs for people who suffer from allergies. Full room carpeting is the worst kind of flooring you can have in a home you have allergies because it traps so many pollen particles. If you suffer from allergies, then you might want to remove your rugs. Most allergy doctors recommend flooring that is easy to vacuum and does not trap dust, animal dander and other allergens.
Clean often: Some people with severe allergies actually use a home cleaning service in addition to their own cleaning. The simplest way to keep your house pollen-free is to clean the floors regularly. A good house cleaning once every month can make a big difference in the air cleanliness in your home. If you use a vacuum you’ll also want to clean the filters in it often as well.
You don’t have to be miserable in your own house throughout the long allergy season. With a little work your home can be a refuge from the powdery pollen of the outdoors and the itchy eye-inducing dust of indoors. Dedicating just ten minutes a day to cleaning your home may make such a difference that you might even be able to throw away those allergy drugs you’ve come to rely on!
Need to learn more about keeping your house allergen free? You can read about an air duct cleaning review and other DIY home improvement articles at our site.
Nasal allergies can be treated with a histamine blocker, a decongestant and prescription nasal sprays. Reduce the symptoms of histamine releasing into the nasal cavities with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:2:14
Preventing allergies to pet dander involves keeping the pets out of the bedroom and off of upholstered furniture, bathing the pets on a regular basis and eliminating as much carpeting as possible from the home. Reduce allergies to dander in pets with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:1:8
Treating pet allergies requires keeping the pet separate from the bedroom, not allowing it on the furniture, eliminating carpeting in the house and bathing the pets on a regular basis. Keep pet allergies to a minimum with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:2:4
a few tips of mine that can help relieve spring time allergies
Duration : 0:9:13
An allergy to chemicals, more appropriately known as a chemical intolerance, can only be treated by avoidance of that chemical. Avoid contact with an irritating chemical with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:1:3
Hay fever allergies are the term given to nasal symptoms caused by environmental agents, such as pollen or mold. Use nasal sprays and decongestants to relieve hay fever symptoms with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:1:12
The most common allergies in infants include allergies to food, formula or allergens in breast milk, as environmental allergies do not develop before the first several years of life. Identify and treat allergies in infants with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:2:15
Allergy hives are raised bumps on the skin that can be treated with large doses of a high-quality antihistamine, which often causes sedation. Get rid of hives as soon as possible with health information from an immunologist in this free video on allergies.
Expert: Ana Lamas
Bio: Dr. Ana Lamas is an immunologist and allergist with two practices in Miami, Florida.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Duration : 0:1:16