A gram of house dust (approximately half of a teaspoon) contains as many as 1,000 dust mites. That same gram of dust can hold 250,000 of their fecal pellets. A dust mite will produce 20 fecal pellets per day, which is 200 times its own body weight in feces during its short lifetime. A bed can contain millions of dust mites and as a result there are vast amounts of droppings right where you sleep. These levels mean that virtually all dust mite sensitive people will experience problems as a direct result of exposure to dust mites and their droppings in their mattress, pillow and duvet.

Dust mites are the most common allergen-producing organisms found in homes. They live in pillows, mattress, box spring, carpet, and upholstered furniture. Their waste becomes a part of the dust, and can be responsible for 80% of allergy symptoms and asthma related attacks in children. Typical symptoms can include difficulty breathing, redness, itchy and swollen eyes, nasal congestion, headaches, exhaustion, and an overall miserable feeling. This is not surprising since at night your immune system can be overwhelmed due to heavy exposure to allergens. Dust mites require humidity above 55% to survive and reproduce. As a result, they thrive in warm environments such as bedrooms. At lower humidity levels they dehydrate and die. Following these simple steps recommended by doctors will assist you in avoiding exposure to dust mites and their waste:

• Buy allergy bedding covers, including dust mite proof pillow covers, mattress encasings, box spring protectors and duvet covers. They prevent exposure to allergens and reduce the number of dust mites inside the bedding. Using bedding protectors impermeable to dust accomplishes two things: It prevents exposure to allergens that exists inside the bedding, and prevents our dry skin from reaching the dust mites inside the pillow or mattress, thus starving them to death. In addition, if proper humidity is maintained, their number can be reduced significantly.
• Indoor air can be filtered using HEPA air cleaners which are commercially available for different size spaces.
• Wash blankets and pillow cases regularly in hot water (>130° F) to get rid of dry skin and allergens. If washing in hot water is not possible, use special laundry additive to neutralize allergens.
• Remove carpeting or vacuum regularly using vacuums equipped with HEPA filters. HEPA vacuums prevent microscopic dust particles from becoming resuspended into the air during vacuuming. In addition, carpets can be treated with special products to neutralize allergens including dust mites.
• Dust often, and keep conditions at home cool and relatively dry (35-55% humidity). Higher humidity can promote mold, dust mite, and bacteria growth. Lower humidity can predispose us to nasal dryness and sinus infections.

Dealing with Mold
Mold and mildew are musty smelling fungi that thrive in moist, poorly ventilated conditions. Mold is a microscopic organism that can grow almost everywhere. Mold spores are found throughout the air, and moisture is an essential ingredient for the growth of mold. Growth of mold is mostly a nuisance because they emit odors and can damage building material. Short periods of high humidity or condensation can cause mold to grow and release their health-affecting spores and mycotoxins. Spores can circulate throughout the house, causing mold to grow in other areas. Maintaining humidity in a proper range in combination with a HEPA air cleaner can prevent spreading and exposure to mold spores.

We often see discoloration on materials, surfaces, or walls in the house and wonder if it is mold. A professional can tell if it is mold, and sometimes what type. It is usually difficult to identify molds with certainty just by looking. Identification requires sampling and testing in a microbiology laboratory. However, a moldy smell is an odor that most people can recognize. Therefore, smell is usually a reliable indicator that mold is present. Sometimes you cannot see it because it is hidden behind cabinets or walls, but if you can smell it, mold is likely to be present. Odor is especially an important clue when mold is growing in the house. An additional test for the presence of mold is to apply some diluted laundry bleach (chlorine) to the stain. If it is mold, the color will disappear.

Mold growth is almost always due to an excess moisture problem in the area. Mold and bacteria spores are everywhere in the air. If they settle on an appropriate surface in the presence of adequate moisture they begin to grow and spread. Solving the moisture problem will stop mold from growing. It is not enough to stop mold from growing, but existing mold needs to be cleaned up. Dead or dry mold can emit spores or toxic particles (entotoxins) into the air when disturbed by humans or from air movement. Areas that are unused and poorly ventilated, such as attics or crawl spaces, may have more of a tendency to grow mold. Mold spores from these areas can infiltrate into the main areas of the house and affect the air quality. Of special concern is the slimy black mold known as Stachybotrys, which grows on cellulose material, paper, wood wallpaper and cardboard material.

Mold is a serious health issue, especially for people who already suffer from allergies. Scrubbing and cleaning mold should be done with caution as the process can release large quantities of mold spores. When spores are dispersed throughout the air, it becomes difficult for people to avoid inhalation. People can usually identify mold problems by smell or visual observation. When a large area is moldy it may be necessary to have it analyzed by an environmental laboratory. If you discover there is mold in your home, you need to decrease humidity by making sure water leaks are fixed, a dehumidifier should be used to expedite air drying, and use a portable fan to dry surfaces. Drip pans and humidifiers must be cleaned as recommended. When carpets become wet they can cause a mold problem, which can only be resolved by removing the carpet.