Healthy House 1997

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Dust mites:

      Meet the typical American family: two parents, two kids, a couple of pets, and a gazillion dust mites.

     That's right. You share your home with millions of tiny critters called dust mites. These microscopic spiders are considered the primary source of allergen in house dust, causing reactions such as sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, and asthma attacks for an estimated 10 to 15% of the population.
     Dust mites snuggle down in your carpet, your upholstered furniture, your pillows, and your mattresses, seeking warmth, moisture, and their favorite snack, the shed scales from human skin.
     Researchers have discovered that it's actually the dust mite's waste product particles (in other words, dust mite feces) and the dead dust mite bodies that trigger reactions among people with allergies and asthma. Because the mite's dried body parts and waste product particles are so light, they float easily in the air when you walk on the carpeting, sit on the couch, rustle the bedding, or use a vacuum sweeper.
     Now that you're on to these invisible pests, what can you do to get rid of dust mites?
     Keep the humidity level in your home between 40 and 50% by opening doors and windows and using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans whenever you cook or bathe. Dust mites thrive in moisture and high humidity.
     To reduce tracked-in dirt and dust, remove your shoes before you enter your home and ask your guests to do the same. If this is impractical, an industrial-grade doormat will help.
     Put mattresses and pillows in zippered allergy-control covers.
Wash all bedding weekly in hot water that is about 130°F. (You will need to turn your water heater's thermostat up before washing and turn it down when you're done.) Avoid wool and down blankets.
     Remove wall-to-wall carpeting, especially in the bedroom. Use washable area rugs instead.
     Use a damp mop or damp cloth to clean surface dust as often as possible.
     Use window coverings that are easily removed and washed.
     Stretch several layers of cheesecloth or place disposable vent covers over bedroom vents to reduce the number of large-size allergen particles entering the room.
     In a child's room, avoid stuffed animals unless they can be washed frequently.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a power head and high allergen containment or a multi-layer dust bag and exhaust filter.

KEEP IT DRY
     One of our claims to fame here in the Pacific Northwest is our temperate, moist climate. It keeps everything green and growing, and in most cases that's good. But when it comes to controlling biological pollutants inside your home, drier is better.
     Excessive moisture in your home creates a friendly environment for mold, mildew and bacteria. These pollutants can cause big problems for people with asthma and allergies--reactions such as eye, nose, and throat irritation; respiratory difficulty; and/or infections.
     Many molds reproduce by releasing inhalable spores into the air. These tiny, lightweight bodies settle and grow into new mold clusters, especially in poorly ventilated areas where moisture or condensation are present, or in areas damaged by water leaks or flooding. Mold may range in color--white, black, orange, green, brown--and even if it can't be seen, it is usually identifiable by its unpleasant, musty odor. In addition to health problems, mold can damage paint, fabrics, wood, and drywall.

Take these steps
to prevent the excessive moisture
that encourages mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Repair all external and internal leaks.

Keep the humidity level in your home between 40 and 50% by ventilating properly. (Humidity gauges are available at Radio Shack.)

Limit the number of houseplants in your home; they increase indoor humidity.

Clean air conditioners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers frequently to prevent mold growth.

Turn down or remove humidifiers if possible.

Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors. Dry clothing immediately after washing.

Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans when cooking or bathing and leave them running for 30 minutes after you're done.

If mold is present, clean it off with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water. Permeable objects such as mattresses may not be cleanable, leaving disposal as the only option. Water-damaged carpets, upholstered furniture, drapes, and ceiling tiles may respond to steam cleaning or hot water washing and thorough drying, but if mold persists, discard them.

Ensure adequate ventilation and good air circulation.

If you are building a home, make sure the foundation has a good vapor barrier and adequate drainage away from the house. In exterior construction, use external wrap and sheathing materials that prevent wind and air from entering but allow water vapor to enter and exit. A continuous vapor barrier should be installed under interior wall surfaces to prevent warm moist air from condensing in the walls and creating moisture problems.

THINKING GREEN
     Whether or not you add houseplants to your healthy house depends on your own sensitivities. On the plus side, houseplants may actually improve your indoor air quality by acting as natural filters for some pollutants. On the negative side, plants may add to indoor air pollution by adding to a home's humidity levels and providing a breeding ground for mold and other biological organisms.
     While researching natural indoor air filters for space habitation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) discovered that some plants are more effective than others at filtering certain pollutants. Plants included in their study appear in the chart below. If your thumb is less than green, many of these plants thrive on little or no special attention. Contact your local nursery or greenhouse for more information.

This document was published on 04/01/98.
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