Keep it Clean

Question 1

Keep it Clean

Answer 1

Keeping the home clean, and cleanable, in order to reduce exposure.

Question 2

Allergens

Answer 2

Dust and other forms of indoor air pollution can lead to poor indoor air quality. Some of the materials that comprise dust (pollen, pet dander, cockroach and dust mite parts) are allergens, which means they can trigger allergic asthma. Outdoor pollutants, such as smog or pesticides, also contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Question 3

Environmental Allergens

Answer 3

Animals, dust mites, foods, grass pollen, latex, molds, stinging insects, tree pollen, weed pollen which are commonly found in dust. About 18% of children have respiratory allergies which can exacerbate asthma.

Question 4

Dander

Answer 4

Dead skin particles from animals

Question 5

Dust

Answer 5

Dust is made of a wide variety of fine and ultra-fine particles from both indoor and outdoor surfaces. It is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the dust in homes actually comes from the outdoors and is transported in by either air currents, or the people pets, and pests that make their way inside. Outdoor dust contains dirt, pollutants, tire particles, parts of plants, pollen, mold fragments and spores, heavy metals, insect parts, fibers, and other debris.

Question 6

Bacteria

Answer 6

Bacteria are mostly harmless and many are beneficial. They form a microbial ecosystem called the microbiome. The microbiome in homes and buildings has been shown to be very similar to the microbiome of the people in it. Bacteria thrive in bathrooms, kitchens, and on surfaces like doorknobs and phone screens.

Question 7

Dust Mites

Answer 7

Microorganisms that feed off dust. They are found living in the dust of most rooms, but are commonly found in bedding, mattresses, carpet, and upholstered furniture. Their primary food source is human dander or dried skin flakes. Routine cleaning to remove settled dust everywhere in a home is important.

Question 8

Pests

Answer 8

Pest parts and feces can lead to allergens, so it is important to clean up after pest infestations to get rid of germs and bacteria.

Question 9

Hygiene Hypothesis

Answer 9

A concept where people who grow up in developed countries spend their childhood in cleaner environments and are not exposed to common microbes found in dirt and dust inside and outside. Because they haven’t been exposed, their immune system does not build up resistance or get the “training” it needs from constant exposure. This is how human immune systems “learn” to recognize bad microbes and to attack and destroy them.

Question 10

Zoonotic Diseases

Answer 10

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to peoples. Influenza and salmonella are just a couple of the many diseases carried by cats, birds, ferrets, dogs, reptiles, and amphibians.

Question 11

Hoarding

Answer 11

Hoarding is different than collecting and clutter in that the hoarder has different types of objects, the objects are not clean and displayed, the hoarding prevents the person from using a room or space as it was intended, and the person has difficulty getting rid of the hoarded objects. Pet hoarding can increase ammonia levels which have led to demolishing of homes.

Question 12

Four-Part Track-Off System

Answer 12

1. Hard-surfaced walkway, leading to the home helps prevent shoes from tracking contaminants inside the home
2. Grate-like scraper mat outside the entry door removes soil from shoes.
3. Hard-surface floor just inside an entry door
4. Rug or mat on the hard surface floor that collects moisture and fine particles. Another smart strategy is to create and enforce a “no-shoes in the house” policy.