Some questions about dust

[hurly]

What is dust in a molecular level?
Why is dust attracted to heat/electricity (computers etc)?
Is there a way to prevent/minimize the occurrence of dust?

[Chris4]

Good question. I would like to know more also as I suffer from asthma and allergies and dust and dust mites make bring on an allergic reaction.
I saw a book recently about dust. I think it was this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 16-0150859
I thought about buying it

I'm not sure how to explain the computers attracting dust. Its static isn't it? Positive negative charges etc. I did it in GCSE physics about 5 years ago.

You can get air purification units etc which i think may remove dust. You can also get special hoovers which are supposed to be better for allergy suffers. Im not sure if they suck up dust as well as dust mites.
You could also get a static eliminator.
http://www.industrysearch.com.au/produc ... sp?id=4869
Looks like its more suited to industry than in your living room.

[Zachthemac]

I remember reading somewhere that dust is mostly made of dead skin cells and hair with a side of dirt.

[James]

House dust is dead skin cells, hairs and fibres from clothing.

[MrMistery]

Makes you think twice about inviting someone over, doesn't it?

[Hemlocke_G]

Hello Everyone! Could someone tell me what dust mites do? Do they lodge in your eyelids and eat tissues there or something? thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[mith]

nah, they live in your bed and eat your dead skin cells. I've been told that a 5 year old mattress is 60% by weight dead skin cells and bed bugs.

[Chris4]

Dust mites live in carpets as well. Its the waste which they secrete which people get allergies to. Not the dust mites themselves.

[Navin]

i think spores form part of dust as well

[James]

Dust mite faeces is a common allergen, especially to asthmatics