Dust

Living with too much dust around you can be bad for your lungs. This is particularly true with building dust, which can lead to lung diseases like silicosis.

This household lung hazard can cause asthmatic symptoms in some individuals, often resulting from an allergy to dust mites. Contaminants like pet dander and pollen can also cause allergies.

If you’re working in an extremely dusty environment, wearing a protective mask is best. And if you have built up dust in your home, this can be reduced by being on top of cleaning and ventilating your spaces.

Air purifiers can help remove dust from the air and can be a fantastic option for eliminating dust. Older homes are likely to be more prone to dust, as well.

Insulation

Asbestos is a material that was once used in the construction of buildings. This household lung hazard was glorified for its insulating and fire-proof capabilities. However, in the past couple of decades, it has been proven that it’s a significant health hazard.

If asbestos is disturbed in any way, tiny flakes can be distributed and breathed into the air. And sadly, older homes might still have it. This product was banned for indoor use in 1973.

So, if your home is older than that, there’s a chance you could be living with it in your home. If it’s in good condition or covered by thick paint, it won’t cause any issues. But be cautious if old insulation is damaged or peeking through.

If it’s in poor condition, or you see bits and pieces flaking off or chips on the floor, you should have a specialist come in and test for asbestos.