Cleaning the house is one of those everyday tasks we directly associate with hygiene and well-being. However, the dust that accumulates on floors and furniture no longer has the same composition as it did decades ago. This is explained by Nicolás Olea, professor of Radiology and Physical Medicine at the University of Granada and one of Spain’s leading experts on endocrine disruptors, who warns of the presence of chemical contaminants in today’s household dust.
Household dust has changed
According to Olea, the dust in modern homes is largely made up of fibers from synthetic textiles such as polyester, polyamide, or nylon. These particles can trap different chemical substances present in the materials and objects that make up today’s living environments.
The difference compared to decades past is largely tied to the materials that surround us. While elements such as wood, linen, or terrazzo were more common in the past, now homes incorporate a greater amount of plastics, synthetic fabrics, resins, and chemically treated materials.
Household dust can accumulate, among other compounds, phthalates, flame retardants, benzophenones, parabens, and perfluorinated substances. Some of these compounds belong to the group of endocrine disruptors, substances capable of interfering with the normal functioning of hormones.
Why vacuuming is better than sweeping
Faced with this situation, one of Olea’s recommendations is simple: change the way you clean. Instead of using a broom, the expert advises turning to a vacuum cleaner, because sweeping can re-suspend part of the particles that have settled on the floor.
This recommendation aligns with the guidance of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Endocrinology (SEEP). In the article “Elaboration of recommendations for reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors in vulnerable stages: scientific basis and methodological process,” published in the Spanish Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology, experts warn about the presence of certain endocrine disruptors in household dust and recommend using the vacuum with appropriate filters or resorting to damp cleaning methods, such as a cloth or mop, to prevent particles from remaining suspended in the air.
The recommendation takes on particular importance in homes with small children, who spend more time near the floor and, therefore, may be more exposed to dust. But cleaning is not the only measure that can help reduce this exposure. Olea also stresses the importance of renewing indoor air, since good ventilation helps reduce the concentration of certain contaminants present in interior spaces. That is why ventilating the home daily becomes another simple gesture that can help maintain a healthier environment.
In statements gathered by La Voz de Galicia, the researcher advises ventilating the dwelling in the morning and in the afternoon and combining this measure with proper cleaning. The aim, in any case, is not to achieve a house completely free of chemical substances, something practically impossible, but to reduce accumulated exposure whenever possible.
Endocrine disruptors are also found in other products
Dust is only one exposure pathway. Endocrine disruptors can be found in numerous everyday products, from certain plastics and food packaging to cosmetics, textiles, cleaning products, and materials found in the home. Olea also recommends reducing the use of plastic in the kitchen, avoiding heating food inside plastic containers, and opting for materials such as glass, ceramic, or steel. In terms of diet, he suggests prioritizing fresh, seasonal products and, when possible, organic ones, while for clothing he recommends washing new garments before using them.
The reason behind these recommendations is cumulative exposure. It is not about a single substance or a single product, but daily contact with small amounts of different compounds. Experts talk in this context about the so-called “cocktail effect,” although the link between specific exposures and particular diseases can be complex and remains the subject of ongoing research.
Therefore, a task as simple as cleaning the house can also become an opportunity to reduce that exposure. Aspiring rather than sweeping, cleaning with damp methods, and daily ventilation are small changes that help keep the home clean without re-circulating part of the dust that has already accumulated.
