Dyson finds irritants including bacteria, fungus and metal residues in homes as it releases first UAE Dust report

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A recent study by Dyson and Zayed University shows that household dust collected from across the UAE could be hazardous to health

The study was carried out using dust samples from UAE homes using the Dyson V8 cord-free vacuum cleaner

The announcement marks World Asthma Day, raising awareness of one of the most common chronic lung diseases worldwide ^iv

DUBAI - Technology company Dyson today released the results of a research study in association with Zayed University on household dust in the UAE, to mark World Asthma Day.

The study revealed interesting findings amid growing concern about the air we breathe in our homes and how the air quality can be a contributing factor to potential health issues.

While the majority of UAE residents are aware that artificial air fresheners, room deodorizers, scented candles, smoke and fumes from cigarettes and cooking can affect the quality of the air in their homes, the study found that invisible irritants such as bacteria and fungus are also present in our indoor dust.

Data from the research[i] found both bacteria and fungi in the samples, with positive and negative strains of bacteria. The former was more resistant to treatment by antibiotics and detergents alike[ii].

The research also found heavy metal residues in the dust, including lead, copper, cobalt, magnesium and cadmium.

Speaking on the research findings, Muhammad Naseem, Assistant Professor, College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University ⁱⁱⁱ said: “By investigating the UAE home dust samples, we found bacteria, fungus and heavy metals invisible to the eye and hiding in abundance.”

He continued: “The prevalence of heavy metals, which can come from everyday household items including cleaning agents, candles and paint, can pose problems due to their toxicity. In high quantities they can lead to neurological, respiratory and skin-related problems. While the aggregate levels in the samples we tested were not in any way alarming, it should be noted that children are especially susceptible to these contaminants as they typically spend more time in the home and take in more oxygen as their bodies are growing.”

Youssef Mouallem, Managing Director at Dyson Middle East and Africa commented: “Dyson puts innovation at the heart of everything it does. Our in-house microbiology lab is home to a colony of 10 million dust mites – it is important to understand allergens so that we know how to tackle them. This research reflects the fact that our modern homes are better insulated than ever before, which means the quality of the air inside can deteriorate rapidly as pollutants get trapped. MEA is an incredibly dynamic market for Dyson and we are eager to help leverage this understanding to improve the quality of life for UAE residents.”

According to Dr Rania Ayat Hawayek, Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) and Specialist Paediatrician at Infinity Clinic, who was present at the event: “Nasal and respiratory allergies are on the rise in the UAE. Many of these cases are linked to environmental allergens – some of which are found indoors. Dust mites and mold spores thrive in the hot, humid and dusty weather in the country. These environmental allergens can increase symptoms of nasal and breathing allergies (rhinitis and asthma).

Air pollutants, meanwhile, can have severe ill-effects on children, especially those who are asthmatic or have other types of respiratory allergies. With the most common indoor air pollutant that causes asthmatic discomfort being dust, making cleaning on a regular basis key to preventing such attacks.”

-Ends-

[i] Based on culture cultivation approaches, 51 different dust samples from diverse indoor environments were screened over a period of 3 months. Gram straining technique was applied to screen cultivable bacterial flora. Both Gram-positive as well as Gram+ bacterial isolates were identified in the samples.

[ii] Figure 2f From: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic Revision of Rochefortia Sw. (ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: E7720. Https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.4.e7720

ⁱⁱⁱ The research ties between Dyson and Zayed University bear no commercial value and that Zayed University conducts research on the collected dust samples solely for academic and scientific reasons.

^ivTaken from 2018 GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention [ http://ginasthma.org/2018-gina-report-global-strategy-for-asthma-management-and-prevention/ ]

Research Methodology

The study was undertaken by College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi and applied microbiological and biochemical techniques on dust samples, to assess the presence of dust adhered bacterial communities and the levels of potentially toxic heavy metals associated with indoor dust particles.

Dust samples were collected by Dyson V8 vacuum according to the procedure pertinent to company protocol.

A total of 53 dust-samples were tested.

Dyson V8 Core Technology

Motors

It took a team of 150 engineers the equivalent of over 20 years of research and development, to perfect the latest improvements to Dyson cord-free digital motor technology. Dyson has 264 digital motor patents and patents pending.

2 Tier RadialTM cyclones

2 Tier Radial™ cyclones generate centrifugal forces that fling dust out of the air and into the bin. Microscopic particles including allergens are captured and retained within the machine, thanks to its sealed system. Some Dyson cord-free machines have an additional post-motor HEPA filter, for an even higher level of filtration. These machines expel air cleaner than the air you breathe.

Durability

During testing, all Dyson machines undergo hours of grueling resistance checks. Dyson cord-free machines are pushed for 290 miles to ensure they're robust enough for everyday cleaning challenges. Dyson cord-free machines are constructed from materials that are chosen because they are lightweight yet highly durable. The clear polycarbonate used for the bins, for example, is the same material used for riot shields.

Batteries

Dyson cord-free vacuums are powered by fade-free lithium ion batteries, so suction starts strong and stays strong. In conjunction with the evolved motor, the updated battery chemistry in each of the six cells in the Dyson V7 and V8 cord-free vacuums offers enhanced runtime compared to the Dyson V6 cord-free vacuum.

Acoustic engineering

Dyson cord-free vacuums are acoustically engineered to reduce sound, not performance. For the Dyson V8, Dyson engineers developed significant acoustic improvements compared to previous generation machines – without any compromise on suction power.

Post-filter media muffles sound coming out of the machine to reduce its loudness, while acoustic felt absorbs vibrations – reducing noise. Acoustic engineered airways through the machine are streamlined to control airflow around the motor control board and reduce turbulence, while open cell foam regulates airflow paths around the motor to reduce turbulence and therefore noise.

Key cleaner heads and tools

The direct-drive cleaner head in V8 vacuums has a powerful motor inside the brush bar that drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet pile to remove ground-in dirt and pet hair. Soft anti-static carbon fiber filaments remove fine dust from hard floors.

The soft roller cleaner head on V8 Absolute sucks up large debris and fine dust from hard floors simultaneously. A roller covered in soft woven nylon traps large debris, while anti-static carbon fiber filaments remove fine dust. A direct-drive motor sits within the roller, allowing full-width, edge to edge cleaning.

About Dyson:

In 2016, Dyson was one of the UK’s top ten favorite brands, according to YouGov BrandIndex, beating the likes of YouTube & Apple. Dyson was named in the top ten places to work in the UK, according to a report for Bloomberg by Statista.