Residential dust found in modern homes is a mixture of many small particles—biological debris, lint, paper fibres, hair, and construction dust. At LCS Laboratory, we’ve developed a unique analytical test that helps homeowners understand exactly what their dust is made of and where it is coming from.
By identifying the specific components in your household dust, we can help uncover the source of contamination. For example, high levels of cement dust, glass fibres, or drywall particles often point to recent construction or renovation work. If insect-related dust dominates, it may indicate a pest control issue. Our reports lists about 30 different types of dust commonly found in Canadian Houses along with the detected concentrations:
Construction and Renovation Dust
Particles such as wood dust, metal shavings, rust, paint chips, overspray droplets, and fibreglass—typically present after renovations, sanding, drilling, or demolition activities.
Textile Fibres
Cotton lint, synthetic fibres, paper fibres, and carpet dust that collect in high-traffic areas, laundry rooms, and living spaces.
Environmental Biological Particles
Mould spores, pollen, insect fragments, plant tissue, and wood dust that may suggest high outdoor activity or uncontrolled moisture levels indoors.
Indoor Biological Particles
Skin cells, pet and human hair, and other organic debris that can trigger allergies or signal the need for improved cleaning or ventilation.
Outdoor Environmental Dust
Soil, char, rust, road salt, and other natural or urban particles that infiltrate homes through open windows, HVAC systems, or everyday foot traffic.
How We Analyze Your Dust
We use Phase Contrast Microscopy, Polarized Light Microscopy, and specialized staining techniques to examine your samples. This multi-method approach allows us to accurately identify and quantify each particle type, providing a detailed and reliable picture of the dust in your home.
How to Collect and Submit a Sample
- Dust Collection: Collect a small dust sample (at least the size of a coffee bean) from floors, furniture, or a vacuum cleaner.
- How to take a surface sample? When the amount of dust is too little, and you cannot scoop it, try the tape lift technique.
- Packaging: Place the sample in a Ziploc bag and label it with the collection location (e.g., “kitchen table dust” or “office dust”).
- Complete the Request Form: Download our request form, providing your contact details, sample identification, turnaround time, and specific test requirements.
- Shipping: Send the labelled sample and completed request form to our laboratory in London, Ontario. If you are shipping from outside of Canada, please check the international shipping instructions.
For questions or assistance with the submission process, please feel free to contact us.
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5 Responses
Hello – My wife and I are plagued with dust entering the living area of our house via the warm air return vent grates. We would like to know what the grey colored dust is composed of. Does your firm analyze such dust?
Hello Mike. Yes we do analyse such samples using light microscopy
Can you do an analysis based upon provided photographs taken by others, with a microscope? If so, I have light, polorized and dark-field scopes. Would stains (I have several) be of value? Suggested magnification, etc. This would be for my own residence. We have far too much dust in this place and it is affecting my spouse’s health.
Hello Pat, I think we can. I sent you an email of what we need.
I cleaned out my Aunt’s apartment after she passed away, and ended up storing items for various family members. After moving a Mahogany side table, I had a burning red rash with blisters. Since then, I’ve had a problem with dust in my house that’s causing the same painful red rash and blisters all over my skin. Are you able to test for particles in the dust that may cause severe contact dermatitis? I’ve tried cleaning everything, dusting my house top to bottom with a damp cloth to better capture the dust, and I’m at my wits end. I need to find out what this is so I can completely remediate the problem.