Dust specific weight. Dust weight table by type

When cleaning a home, we are always surprised by where so much dust comes from. Tightly closed windows and doors do not protect furniture, floors and curtains from a dusty coating. Vacuuming and wet cleaning give only a temporary effect, and after a day the same layer of dust is back in its previous place.

Residents of steppe regions, where strong winds constantly blow, and residents of industrial cities suffer especially from dust at home. A huge amount of dust is constantly suspended in the air and inhaled by people. It settles in a dense layer, and the only way to fight it is regular cleaning.

Where does dust come from?

Dust consists of fine mineral and organic particles that can remain suspended in air or settle on surfaces. For household and industrial calculations, particle size matters as much as mass: fine dust is usually more important for respiratory risk than coarse particles.

Dust sources are usually divided into natural sources and sources related to human activity:

• Natural dust. This includes soil particles, ash, soot, mineral salts, desert dust and organic residues such as skin particles, pollen and decomposition products of organic matter.

• Dust generated by human activity: construction, coal, cement, wood, flour, chemical, metallurgical and other industrial dusts. Dust containing toxic metals, quartz, asbestos or chemically active substances can be especially dangerous.

The composition of household dust varies strongly by region, ventilation, finishing materials, pets, heating type and proximity to roads or industrial sites. It may contain mineral particles, textile fibers, pollen, soot, skin particles, dust mites and their waste products.

What is the weight of dust?

The amount of dust settling on a surface over a week depends heavily on the room, ventilation, humidity, cleaning frequency and outdoor environment. Particles may differ in shape, density and composition, so settling speed depends not only on specific weight but also on particle size, air movement and humidity.

Specific weight is usually measured in kilograms per cubic meter. For dust, this value says little. Therefore it is convenient to consider the weight, or density, of dust in grams per cubic centimeter. For industrial dust, specific weight values in t/m³ may be needed.

The table gives average weight values for household dust and some types of industrial dust.

Harm from dust

The health impact of dust is determined by composition, particle size and concentration in the air. Fine fractions such as PM10 and PM2.5 are especially important because they can penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract, so dust mass alone does not show the level of risk.

Dust can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Hard mineral and metallurgical particles may act as abrasives, while chemical impurities may be toxic. Household dust may contain dust mites, microorganisms and allergens, so risk assessment should consider origin and composition, not only density and weight.