An interactive version of this graph can be found here (scroll down the page).
A new study came out this week that gives us more data than ever about what types of toxic chemicals are found in household dust and amounts.
The fact that household dust contains toxic chemicals is not new—but this study is the first to make a comprehensive assessment of consumer product chemicals of concern in the dust found in US homes, provide a picture of the toxic chemicals in the home, estimate potential exposures for children and determine heath threats.
The study identifies 45 chemicals from five chemical classes—phthalates, phenols, flame retardants, fragrances, fluorinated chemicals—that were measured in dust in US homes.
Some phthalates, fragrance, flame retardants, and phenols were consistently found in 90 percent or more of dust samples across multiple studies.
The articles below do a great job of explaining the problem, but fall short on giving workable solutions.
Here’s my advice.
1. All the things you are already doing to reduce your use of chemicals in your home that you are learning on this website are also reducing toxic chemicals in your house dust. So keep finding toxic products in your home and continue to replace them with nontoxic products.
2. Get an air filter that removes both particles (dust) and gasses (chemicals. Check out my recommended brands at Debra’s List: Air Filters.
Find out what’s in your indoor air and take steps to improve it. This could make a big difference in your health.
CBS NEWS: Household Dust is Laced With Toxic Chemicals, Study Finds
a news story
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: Not Just Dirt: Toxic Chemicals in Indoor Dust
an analysis
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Consumer Product Chemicals in Indoor Dust
the study
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: Toxic Dust: The Dangerous Chemical Brew in Every Home
another blog post about toxic dust
