What is dust?
Most people think it鈥檚 just dead skin. But what鈥檚 really hiding in your dust?
It lurks behind sofas and collects in corners, apparently appearing from nowhere. But what is household dust? And should we bother sweeping it away? That鈥檚 what Australian listener Moshe wants to know and what Marnie Chesterton is off to find out for this week鈥檚 CrowdScience. She embarks on a mission to discover not only what dust is made of, but whether it poses any health risks. Although most people sweep it away without a thought, dust contains all sorts of secrets about our habits and everyday lives. Marnie finds out how dust can reveal the pets you keep, the chemicals in your surroundings, the location of your house and how fecal bacteria can uncover whether more men or women live in your home.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer: Anna Lacey
(Image: Woman Vacuuming Up Dust. Credit: Getty Images)
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Why is dust grey?
Duration: 00:47
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What's hiding in my dust?
Duration: 01:48
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 Dec 2017 20:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
- Fri 15 Dec 2017 21:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sat 16 Dec 2017 00:32GMT大象传媒 World Service except Americas and the Caribbean & News Internet
- Mon 18 Dec 2017 05:32GMT大象传媒 World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Mon 18 Dec 2017 07:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia & East and Southern Africa only
- Mon 18 Dec 2017 15:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia
- Mon 18 Dec 2017 18:32GMT大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 19 Dec 2017 03:32GMT大象传媒 World Service West and Central Africa
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CrowdScience
Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe
