( Health.com ) -- Broom or vacuum ? Dust mop or Swiffer ? We 've been trying to figure out the best way to get rid of dust since we first started playing house . And now there 's real reason to get serious about the stuff . A new study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the residues of flame-retardant chemicals in essentials like mattresses and TVs are showing up in household dust . Scientists found these chemicals -- known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers ( PBDEs ) -- in the dust of all 16 homes they sampled . No one knows whether PBDEs can hurt you . But their structure is strikingly similar to that of PCBs , which are suspected of causing cancer and can definitely alter human development . Some PBDEs are banned in most parts of Europe . The good news ? Some simple changes can really make a difference in your indoor-air quality . 1 . Vacuum and dust regularly ( once or twice a week should be plenty ) , and use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air , or HEPA , filter . Also , try to avoid sweeping , which only circulates dust . 2 . Put used vacuum filters in a bag and close it tightly before discarding . Try to avoid touching the filters with your hands . 3 . Open your windows as soon as the weather allows it ( including those times when you 're vacuuming ) . A recent study from the Canadian government found that PBDE flame retardants were present in indoor air at concentrations 50 times higher than those found outdoors . Fresh air and ventilation can help dilute indoor concentrations . 4 . Do n't bother using 'ionizing ' or 'ion-generating ' stand-alone air purifiers . Recent research shows they 're unlikely to reduce particle concentrations and may generate ozone , a respiratory irritant . 5 . Go easy on air conditioning ; when you turn it on and close your windows , it keeps fresh air from getting in . 6 . Use an air-conditioning filter with the highest minimum efficiency reporting value ( MERV ) rating suitable for your system . The higher the MERV , the more efficient the filter is at removing particles . And change the filter regularly , depending on the manufacturer 's specs . 7 . Consider buying home furnishings from IKEA ( 800-434-4532 ) , which phased out PBDEs in 2002 . If you 're looking for a computer or a cell phone , check out Apple and Motorola products ; neither uses PBDEs . 8 . If you need new upholstered furniture or carpet , try to buy cotton or wool products , which contain no PBDEs and are naturally fire resistant . And to limit your exposure to the PBDE-laden material , do n't reupholster furniture that contains foam . E-mail to a friend . Try a FREE TRIAL issue of Health - CLICK HERE ! Copyright Health Magazine 2009 .
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are structurally similar to PCBs . Open you windows when you can to freshen the air . I have a friend who is an engineer