Dust mites are tiny insects that are invisible to the naked eye. They feed on human skin flakes and are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedding materials, clothes and stuffed toys. Body parts and feces from dust mites can trigger attacks. Did you know that 10% of the weight of a two-year old pillow is dust mites?
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled by the smoker that is often found in homes and cars where smoking is allowed. Common symptoms of smoke irritation are burning or watery eyes, nasal congestion, caughing, hoarseness, and a shortness of breath presenting as a wheeze.
Mold can grow indoors when mold spores land on wet or damp surfaces. In the home, mold is most commonly found in the bathroom, kitchen and basement. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.
Your pet's dead skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva and hair can trigger asthma. Dogs, cats, and other mammals (like hamsters and guinea pigs) can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergic reaction to animal dander. Although an animal may be out of sight, their allergens are not. This is because pet allergens are carried on very small particles. As a result pet allergens can remain circulating in the air and remain on carpets and furniture for weeks and even months after a pet is gone.
Cockroach body parts, secretions and droppings, and the urine, droppings and saliva of pests, such as rodents, are often found in areas where there is food and water.
House dust is not just dirt but a mixture of potentially allergenic materials such as fibers, food particles, mold spores, pollens, dust mites, plant & insect parts, hair, animal fur & feathers, dried saliva & urine from pets and flakes of human & animal skin.