Journal article
Ten questions concerning indoor dust
Building and environment, v 288, 113988
15 Jan 2026
Abstract
•Dust is heterogeneous, varying in size, shape, and composition.•Chemical and biological components of dust can cause adverse health outcomes.•Strategies for dust-based exposure assessment and control need improvement.•Systematic vocabulary would facilitate defining, sampling, and characterizing dust.
Dust is ubiquitous but heterogeneous and can be viewed through various lenses. Indoor dust commonly refers to particles in building interiors that have settled onto surfaces, albeit without a consensus scientific definition. Dust contains a myriad of chemicals and microbes in a complex mixture originating from multiple sources. Indoor dust thus serves as both an indicator of the constituents in an indoor environment and a source of exposure through ingestion, dermal contact, and/or inhalation of resuspended dust. The mass and composition of settled dust within a building varies by location. This variability and complexity of dust manifests in different physical and chemical properties on macro-, micro- and nanoscales, which in turn influences occupant exposure pathways and outcomes. For example, resuspension of allergens (e.g., by walking) may exacerbate asthma. Sampling via methods such as vacuuming or surface wiping allows for quantitative measurement of components to assess possible exposures. However, through collection or measurements, results may be biased, e.g., size. With large variations in dust composition and study methods, it can be difficult to compare studies. This heterogeneity impedes understanding the fate and transport of dust and, importantly, how dust impacts health. A standardized system to better define, sample, and characterize dust would help develop a more comprehensive understanding of dust across indoor environments. This paper aims to address outstanding questions regarding the chemical and biological characteristics of dust, how the characterization of dust is affected by sampling methods, and how design of indoor spaces affects the amount and qualities of accumulated dust.
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Details
- Title
- Ten questions concerning indoor dust
- Creators
- Erica M. Hartmann (Corresponding Author) - Northwestern UniversityKaren C. Dannemiller - The Ohio State UniversityDelphine K. Farmer - Colorado State UniversityRachel E. O'Brien - University of MichiganJoseph Berberich - University of MichiganJenna C. Ditto - Washington University in St. LouisOlivia R. Farinas - The Ohio State UniversityElliott T. Gall - Portland State UniversityAnindita Ganguly - The Ohio State UniversityVicki H. Grassian - University of California San DiegoRachel Greene - Colorado State UniversityBridget Hegarty - Case Western Reserve UniversityVito A Ilacqua - Environment AgencyGabriel Isaacman-VanWertz - Virginia TechJienan Li - Colorado State UniversityEvangelia Loukou - Case Western Reserve UniversityLinsey C. Marr - Virginia TechNicholas Nastasi - The Ohio State UniversityAaron J. Prussin - Virginia TechBrent Stephens - Illinois Institute of TechnologyShelby J. Tillema - Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Northwestern UniversityBarbara J Turpin - Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North CarolinaMarina E. Vance - University of Colorado BoulderVishal Verma - University of Illinois at Urbana ChampaignMichael S. Waring - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Building and environment, v 288, 113988
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001625674700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105022424442
- Other Identifier
- 991022196568404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Construction & Building Technology
- Engineering, Civil
- Engineering, Environmental