Why Dust Builds Up Faster Around Electronics and Workstations

Have you ever cleaned your workplace, laptop, computer, and keyboard? Just to notice the thin layer of dust on your electronic devices again the next day? It’s so frustrating, right? It’s quite frustrating when your entire workspace is perfectly neat and clean, yet your electronics are covered in dust. 

You all have faced this, but have you ever wondered why this happens? This happens due to various factors that cause electronic devices to attract dust. Let's learn why this happens and how this problem can be fixed.

Why Do Office Electronics Get Dust Easily?

Electronics such as laptops, monitors, keyboards, and a mouse, etc. these items attract dust rapidly. You might have cleaned them thoroughly, but by the next day, you will notice that a layer of dust has formed on them. It seems so frustrating. But why does this happen? Why does the table seem clean but electronics have a layer of dust over it? It happens because a table requires gravity to attract dust onto it, but electronic devices pull dust out of the air.

The main reasons why electronics grab dust fast are:

• Electronics act as a static magnet, electronic devices such as laptops, computer monitors, printers etc build up an electric charge while working and the dust particles present in the air also have some charges, these charges attract themselves to each other that is the reason why dust pulls towards electronic devices.
• Most electronic devices such as computers, gaming consoles, etc. have built-in fans in them to prevent overheating. To keep devices cool, they constantly suck in the room’s air and blow out the hot air; by doing so, they pull in massive amounts of dust, and this dust gets trapped in the internal wiring.
• The heat produced by the electronic devices keeps warming up the air around them. This air movement keeps pulling the dust particles around your electronic devices and workstation.

These are the reasons why dust builds up faster around electronic devices and workstations.

Over time, this can make electronics look dusty even if the workspace is cleaned regularly.

What Happens When Dust Builds Up Around Electronics And Workstations?

You all know that electronic devices act as a dust magnet. As computers, monitors and workstations generate some magnetic charges and have an internal fan in them, which pulls out the dust particles from the air rapidly, faster than the furniture can. 

These dust particles cause major issues, and they are:

• The major effects of dust around electronic devices and workstations are that it makes equipment overheat. A dust layer around or inside electronics stops its fan from spinning properly; as a result, heat gets trapped inside the device. Due to overheating, the computer slows down its function, which may disrupt your work.
• It may cause electrical short circuits, electric devices have a thick layer of dust on it over time. This dust absorbs moisture from the air; if the dust becomes damp, it can cause an electrical short circuit by triggering sparks. It can spark an electrical fire.
• It doesn't just affect the machine; it also severely affects users. Dust trapped in devices is constantly blown out by the internal cooling fan, releasing dust particles into the environment and severely affecting users’ breathing. Sitting in the dusty environment for long periods of time causes eye irritation, dry cough, skin rashes, and can trigger asthma and many other health hazards.

Dust around electronic devices and workstations can impact devices and human health very badly. To keep your device and yourself safe from these hazards, make sure that the environment around you is clean and safe. Let’s learn how to fix this problem.

How To Fix This Problem?

The good news is that you do not need to clean your entire workstation several times a day. A few consistent habits can help control dust and keep your electronics in better condition.

• Keep your surface clean; use a microfibre towel to clean your surface, clean it on a regular basis and read the instructions given by the manufacturer to clean your devices.
• Keep your keyboard clean; try to keep your keyboard clean. Dust particles get trapped between the keys, so keep it clean, and if it is not in use, then disconnect it and cover it until the next day.
• Do not eat at your workstation; eating food at your workstation should be avoided because food particles can get trapped in the keyboard, and a spill can ruin your devices by mistake.
• Organize cables and other wires; keeping wires neatly arranged and removing unnecessary items around the workstation can make it easier to reach dusty corners while cleaning.
• Keep proper ventilation; good ventilation allows dust to escape rather than becoming trapped in one place; therefore, proper ventilation around the workstation is essential.

You don’t need to clean your workstation several times a day; adopting some basic and easy steps can help you prevent your workstation from getting dirty.

Ayurvedic Perspective

Dust builds up faster around electronic devices because electronic devices release some charges while they work, which attracts dust towards them.

In Ayurveda, dust, electronics, and the workstation are linked together with Vata dosha; Vata dosha is governed by the elements of Air (Vayu) and Space (Akasha).

As per Ayurveda, electronics and dust are high Vata energy, and because your workstation is a house of high Vata energy, it naturally attracts dust.

Dust is considered Tamasic in Ayurveda, which blocks the free flow of Prana (life force energy) in your room; that is the reason why sitting at a dirty desk makes you feel fatigued.

Dust can affect your skin, respiratory system, and mind in several ways.

Ayurvedic Remedies For Your Desk Are:

• Place any water element at your desk, such as a small water fountain or a bowl of water; it helps prevent dryness around your workstation.
• Place a plant near your workstation; it naturally absorbs dust and other radiation.
• Keep your workstation clean with essential oils; wipe your desk with a microfiber towel with a few drops of tulsi or any other essential oil. These oils help calm your mind.

These simple remedies help you and your desk station prevent dust. For keeping you and your devices health safe.

Conclusion

Dust around your workstation and electronics is a very common household problem.

It impacts your health and also damages your electronics. It happens due to the charges that electronic devices release; these charges attract dust particles towards them, which makes them dirty. Instead of constantly wiping your devices, try to avoid the sources that build up the dust. This will keep your devices clean and the environment around your workstation safer.

References

A systematic review of the effectiveness of dust control measures adopted to reduce workplace exposure - PMC