*“Studies … show that dust from the air filters in the ventilation system contains between 100 and 6,700 bacteria per gram of dust (approximately 2,800 – 190,000 bacteria per ounce of dust), dust from ventilation ducts contains between 50 and 50,000 bacteria per gram of dust (approximately 1,400 to 1,400,000 bacteria per ounce of dust), and the floor dust contains similar numbers of bacteria. Endotoxins from the cell walls of dead, gram-negative bacteria may be a cause of sick building syndrome symptoms in most people. ” [ *Source of the above: http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/studentdownloads/dea3500notes/Vent/Biogenic.Particles.html]

Other dust studies show that dust also contains many other biological contaminants such as dust mite and insect excrement. And the bad news on dust doesn’t stop there. It has heavy metals in it as well as many organic contaminants—soot, industrial residues, even pesticides.

There’s a product on the market now called Swiffer. It’s sold in grocery stores. Swiffers are electrostatic towels made for the specific purpose of gathering dust without stirring it into the air, which is what feather dusters do. Electrostatic towels are a handy tool for people with asthma, as well as for those who don’t want the ailment. Dust is a definite