Airborne dust and allergen generation during dusting with and without spray polish

Dusting is a commonly used method for dust removal from surfaces in the home. However, the process of dusting may contribute to airborne dust levels by disturbing dust particles from a surface and failing to remove it from the indoor environment.

We sought to measure the quantity of allergen-laden dust disturbed into the air during dusting and discover whether applying spray polish to either the dusty surface or the cleaning cloth reduced this amount.

A common furniture polish was tested for its ability to prevent dust particles and major house dust mite (Der p 1) or major cat (Fel d 1) allergen from becoming airborne during dusting. Tests were completed with a repeatable mechanized dusting procedure with polish sprayed onto either a cleaning cloth or directly onto a surface, and this was compared with a control procedure with a standard duster. Airborne dust was measured with an air-particle counter and by means of anti-Der p 1 or anti-Fel d 1 ELISA.

Considerable quantities of dust became airborne during dusting. When polish was sprayed onto the cleaning cloth, the concentration of airborne dust particles was reduced by a mean of 83.4%, house dust mite allergen by 50.3%, and cat allergen by 57.4% when compared with dry-cloth controls. Spraying polish directly onto the surface was even more effective at reducing the generation of airborne particles (92.9%) and allergens (Der p 1 by > or =95% to below the sensitivity of the ELISA and Fel d 1 by 95%). All reductions were significant when compared with dry-cloth controls (P <.01, Mann-Whitney U test).

This study showed that application of a polish spray to either the surface or the cloth during dusting greatly reduced dust and allergen evolution into the air, which should reduce exposure to airborne allergens in the home.