Skin scale and hair

Our body exfoliates dead epithelial or skin cells in large number every day. Sometimes they are visible by the unaided eye as small white bits, dandruff, which consist of many dead cells that stick together. Human skin cells are found very frequently in indoor settled dust samples. Sometimes they can be found in surprisingly high numbers, e.g. in hospitals or nursery homes. In some cases small particles of salt crystals, NaCl or KCl, may decorate the surface of the cells. Human or animal hair is also frequently found in indoor settled dust. They are easily identified by the overlapping scale structure on the surface.

skin scale

Hair