Swept under the carpet

 

No matter how hard we try, dust always congregates in corners, on mantles and ornaments and other hard-to-get-to places.

Now reserachers in Arizona, US, have built a computer model that can track the distribution of contaminated soil and airborne particulates into our homes.
 
The authors of the study point out that dust found in the home is a mix of dead skin shed by people, fibres from carpets and upholstered furniture, and tracked-in soil and airborne particles blown in from outdoors.
 
However, some of the particles that blow into our homes from outside could be potentially harmful substances.
 
In the computer model, they found that 60 per cent of dust originates outdoors. It is hoped that the model could be used to evaluate methods for reducing contaminants in dust and the health problems associated with exposure to dust.
 
The study is to be published in the 1 November issue of Environmental Science & Technology.
 
 

Model behaviour

Meet a Role Model who uses computer modelling to build bridges.  

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