We exposed to dust both in indoor and outdoor among which indoor dust pollution is more harmful than that of outdoor one because we spent 90% time of our life in indoor (Torres- Sanchez et al., 2017). Dust is a complex mixture of various pollutants like pollen, chlorinated
pesticides, dead skin cell, hair, different allergen, potential toxic elements (PTEs) etc. Among various PTEs Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn are the most common which create different health problem. PTEs laden dust are deposited on the floor and the top of the almira, bunker
and other open surfaces.
Incongruous industrialization and human activities increase the release of various environmental pollutants, PTEs are one of them. PTEs are released from the various industries (power plant, coal combustion, oil refinery, cement factory, chemical industries, steel plant, fertilizer manufacturer, pesticide and herbicide manufacturer etc.) and automobiles. Besides industrial and vehicular sources some indoor activities (cigarette smoking, paint, combustible fuel, floor types, personal care products etc.) are also responsible for indoor PTEs pollution. Once PTEs are introduced into environment, they persist for a long time due to their long life span and causes various health hazards.
The main entrance of PTEs into the human body are ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. PTEs create various health complications due to their chemical stability, nonbio-degradibility, and high toxicity. Children are more vulnerable to the potential negative health effects of PTEs in dust than adults, both for physiological and behavioral reasons. Bone fracture, low bone density, damage of nervous system, low IQ, kidney damage, anemia, hyperglycemia, nephrotoxicity, hypothermia, muscle breakdown, flue etc. are some common symptoms of PTEs toxicity.
Some good manner like Floor cleaning twice in a day, dust cleaning from the top of Almira or banker and other open surface once in a weak, and proper wash of hand before taking food can minimize the harmful effects of PTEs.
Research Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Visva-Bharati