Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have studied dust inside Mexican homes and determined that homes in Mexico City have dust with high levels of heavy metals.
In the bulletin Dust in Mexican homes, more toxic than in Europe: scientists, the Máxima Casa de Estudios released the research that experts Francisco Bautista Zúñiga and Avtandil Gogichaishvili conducted on the subject.
After studying the toxic contaminants, the diagnosis determined that in Morelia and Mexico City there are high concentrations of heavy metals such as magnesium, nickel, copper, zinc, antimony, and lead.
These levels were compared with street dust, and indeed, the dust inside homes is more polluting. It even exceeds the toxicity levels found on the streets of the United Kingdom or Spain.
Why is there more heavy metal in the dust in my home?
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
Heavy metals are most commonly found in deteriorated plastics and varnished and worn wood.
This can affect the endocrine system. Contaminants were also found in the livers and kidneys of specimens evaluated in the laboratory, as well as magnetic properties in people’s brains.
Remember that dust can enter your body through oral, respiratory, and skin contact, and it is children who have the most contact with dust.
Get your soap ready!
Photo: Victoria Rivier/Pexels
Consider cleaning your house regularly and avoiding walls and furniture with worn paint.
Gardens are always a good idea, but if you don’t have the possibility of having one, you could add plants near the windows to trap metals.
On the other hand, it’s very important to wash and change your curtains regularly, as they tend to trap dust from outside.
It’s time for a deep clean! If you’ve been avoiding cleaning your closet or changing your curtains, doing so regularly could save you from illness.