Practical Steps to Prevent Dust

Health Promotion Unit,

Ahmadi Hospital
Wishing you a healthy week end
 Dust Health Hazards

• The current wave of dust attacking Kuwait

represents many health hazards. Reducing dust
and allergens in home and in work sites will help
control health hazards such as allergy and
asthma as well as car accidents.
• Dust control must reduce the concentration of
dust borne allergens in the living environment by
controlling both allergen production and the dust
which serves to transport it. The following is the
main concept to control dust and prevent their
hazards: 2
HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Safety First

- Car accidents with the resulting fatal

injuries and disabilities may increase
during dust waves.

- It is highly recommended to restrict

clearly to all traffic laws specially: speed
limit , seat built , traffic light ,to keep a
distance between you and other cars
,using light and sound when appropriate
,,,,etc
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Prevention is the golden rule

- Prevention is the golden rule therefore try

- to minimize your :

- interval of exposure to dust outside

in work or shopping ,car ,,,, etc

- dust entry into house or work.

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Work Site Safety
- Prevention is the golden rule therefore try to
minimize your exposure to dust in work.
- Open work sites must implements some
strategy and steps to minimize dust waves e.g.
- road pavement ,
- using of water
- Shift
- first aid facility
- Health promotion materials
- Using PPE like dust mask

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Personal Protection

- Cover your entire body as possible to

avoid allergy ( Asthma, Skin , Eye. Etc)

- Wear face dust mask (if you are

susceptible paper masks are not
effective).

- Wear Sunglasses of Excellent quality

and big size .
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Shopping

- Shopping or recreation :try to

be in closed and conditioned
one.

- Close car window firmly and

use air conditions.

- Change your clothes one you

enter the house.
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Dust-Proof your house

- Put an older beach towel on the floor

in front of door specially sliding-glass
doors.

- Seal the windows .

- Clean the window screens,

- Kick off your shoes out side the house

.

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Dust-Proof your house

• Stay indoors except if you have

to go outside

• Place floor mats by all

entrances of the home to cut dirt
and dust

• Close doors and windows .

• Don't hang laundry outside .

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Modern Air Condition & Dehumidifier

• Use air conditioning in your house

and car.
• Use an allergy-grade filter in the
ventilation system.
• HEPA filter is preferable in bed room
specially for high risk high-efficiency
particulate air) filter in your bedroom
• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner
to reduce indoor humidity
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 For Bedroom ( to control dust mites)

• This precarious must conducted in all

house spaces specially bedroom and
for high risk population.
• Use allergy-proof covers on
mattresses, box springs and pillows.
• Wash sheets and blankets in hot water
(at least 54 C).

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Vacuum
• Vacuum carpets weekly with a
vacuum cleaner equipped with a
small-particle or HEPA filter.
• Carpet may be removed if you're at
risk .
• Use Synthetic fabrics instead of
feather and down pillows
• Replace woolen blankets with nylon
or cotton cellulose ones.
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Cleaning

• Vacuum your curtains, using the brush

attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
• Clean and wipe ceiling fan to prevent dust
from flying.
• Vacuum carpets weekly, daily if
you are at high risk.

- Wipe walls and mini-blinds with a damp

cloth and vacuum draperies
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Cockroaches control
• Daily washing of dishes and empty
garbage.
• Sweep food crumbs from counters and
floors.
• Store food, including pet food, in sealed
containers.
• Block cracks and crevices .
• Fix leaky faucets and pipes.
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Pet dander
These are important specially if you
are at risk

• Remove pets from the house, if

possible.

• Bathe pets weekly. Using wipes

designed to reduce dander also may
help.

• Keep your pet out of the bedroom. 15

HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Temperature and humidity:

- Dust mites love warm and humid conditions, above (21 C)

and 50% humidity

- So ,keep house humidity below 50 %

- Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity.

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Summary

Many general guidelines are available to

prevent dust from entry to your house or
worksites.

• Prevention is the golden role , so

minimize exposure.
• Reduce humidity, which allows dust
mites, molds, and other allergens to
flourish,
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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 Summary(2)

• Reduce surfaces that collect allergens

(curtains, carpets, etc.), and

• Wash surfaces, bedding, towels, rugs,

etc frequently, in hot water.

• Place floor mats by all entrances of the

home to cut dirt and dust

• Cover yourself and wear protective PPE.

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
 References

• Mayo clinic

• CDC

• Environment, Health and Safety

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HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT IN AHMADI HOSPITAL – ‫وحدة تعزيز الصحة بمستشفي األحمدي‬
Health Promotion Unit,
Ahmadi Hospital
Wishing you a healthy weekend