The dread of those with weak lungs or those with asthma is allergens. Being almost everywhere, it can be found inside homes as well as out. And true enough, according to latest research, the combined force of diesel exhaust and a dusty house can aggravate the lungs that can worsen bronchial asthma.

Common everyday things that people get exposed to like diesel exhaust particles and house dust extract can cause pulmonary inflammation that in turn can worsen asthma, according to a study done by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine, led by its principle investigator Jiyoun Kim, PhD, professor of pathology.

The researchers noted that exposure to viral infections, indoor as well as outdoor allergens, and ambient pollution can contribute to the development of asthma in childhood and the persistence of asthma in adulthood. Children develop asthma and pulmonary infections at an increased rate when exposed to environmental influences. Such influences weigh heavily on early lung growth, most particularly traffic-related pollution.

In Professor Kim's study, pulmonary inflammation was measured through different factors such as oxidative stress and respiratory physiological features. Having considered those factors, researchers discovered that exposure to both house dust and diesel exhaust particles demonstrated an increase in mucus production and higher airway resistance compared to exposure to house dust alone.

Kim said that their results showed the direct relationship between air pollution and the worsening of pre-existing pulmonary diseases, like asthma. In addition, these results reveal that there could be a tangible therapeutic target and that anti-oxidative treatment could be beneficial to asthmatic patients, especially those with increased exposure to air pollutants.

With combined diesel exhaust and house dust extract leading to pulmonary inflammation, what can people do to avoid this? Instead of worrying about how to control other people's car exhaust, why not do something about house dust?

Simply doing housework can keep the allergens at bay, preventing asthma or inflaming the lungs, according to YourLungHealth.org. Important things to consider when cleaning are the carpets, rugs, linens, collectibles and figurines, picture frames, and the nooks and crannies around the house.

But for those who have to avoid dust and allergens, here are some tips to remember. In doing one's cleaning use a vacuum that has a tight seal that will keep whatever it collects in it; use a damp dust cloth to prevent them from scattering or an electrostatic cloth; wear a mask when doing housecleaning chores; and keep medicine or inhalers handy.

It must be said though, that cleaning must be done with extra caution for those with asthma because a study done by researchers from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, found that household cleaning increases respiratory symptoms, more so for women, reported WebMD.com.