Safe Cleaning
Methods For:

Carpet, Rugs
and Upholsetry

Floors

Food Items

Heating and
Air Conditioning

Linens and
Clothes

Other Hard
Surfaces

Toys

Removing Dust
Homepage

DUST IN YOUR HOME/BUSINESS
Removing It and Reducing Your Exposure

Dust created from the collapse of the World Trade Center and surrounding buildings has found its way into homes and businesses throughout the region. Scientists have NOT proven whether this dust is or is not dangerous, but believe that caution should be used when cleaning your home/business to safely remove the dust.

Remember dust may be present on a surface even if you can not see it. While somewhat costly, homes or businesses with excessive dust should seriously consider hiring a professional cleaning service.

If you attempt to do your own cleaning, please follow the safety steps outlined below and on the sidebar. This document was developed by scientists and health education at EOHSI and UMDNJ-School of Public Health.

When cleaning, be sure to:

Wear a dust mask and gloves. Remember: Breathing in dust under normal conditions is not good for your lungs.

Wear old clothes and when finished be sure to wash them twice.

Do not let children, the elderly or people with pre-existing health conditions (such as dust allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses) in your home/business while you are removing the dust.

Clean everything in your home/business even if you do not see signs of dust. Dust is made up of fine particles that can get into cracks and crevices.

Download the entire 'Dust In Your Home/Business' document as a .pdf file

These documents can be read with Adobe Acrobat

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-445-0200 For additional information contact webmaster@eohsi.rutgers.edu