The bottom line is that healthy living requires low exposure to manufactured chemicals. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction

The American Lung Association describes indoor dust as “animal dander (including dead skin cells), dust mite matter and pollen.” Interestingly, the website also states, “The American Lung Association has partnered with Swiffer to inform Americans about why they should be aware of dust in their homes.” Swiffer^TM sweepers are made of “specially coated synthetic fibers” or plastics. Products made up of synthetic fibers are known to release huge amounts of microscopic microplastics or microfibers.

Not surprisingly, a significant portion of indoor dust is plastic-based, consistent with the many plastic products now common in homes. According to a 2022 study of indoor dust, 43% of microplastics in indoor dust come from textile sources, such as carpet, clothes, and blankets, and are typically fiber-shaped. The other microplastics in indoor dust come from many other plastic-based items, such as food containers, toys, furniture, and paints.

Over the past year, I have had students collect dust samples from numerous indoor areas, from their homes to school buildings and labs. Microscope analyses showed microfibers in every sample. Some samples consisted mostly of microfibers even though they appeared like typical dust.

Plastic products contain thousands of chemicals, many of which are known to be toxic. A 2022 review article concluded that clothing releases over 4000 tons of chemical additives into the air each year. An estimated 4.5–6440 micrograms/person of these additives are inhaled annually, the major route of human exposure. The other main route is ingestion, estimated at 0.1–204 micrograms/person.

Many consumer products are designed to be visually appealing, but they usually don’t list their chemical content. California and New York recently banned polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from apparel. People use them for waterproof and stainproof coatings. The bottom line is that healthy living requires low exposure to manufactured chemicals.

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has written a weekly column, The Green Junction, for the past few years and is helping move the call of Laudato Si to action. Her research interests include advanced oxidation in aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, challenges along the Lake Michigan shoreline (including Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.