Everyday appliances quietly release trillions of tiny particles, study finds
Turns out, your toaster, air fryer, and even hair dryer are pumping out ultrafine particles (UFPs) while you use them.
Researchers from Pusan National University say these metal-rich particles are so small they can slip past your nose's filters and settle deep in your lungs.
Toasters top the list for particle pollution
A single pop-up toaster can release about 1.7 trillion UFPs every minute—even when not toasting anything.
Appliances with electric heating coils or brushed motors (like some hair dryers) are the biggest culprits.
Not all hair dryers are equal
Brushless hair dryers give off way fewer particles—10-100 times fewer particles—than those with brushed motors.
The difference comes down to how their insides are built and how they generate heat.
Why it matters for you (especially if you're younger)
These UFPs aren't just dust—they're packed with metals like copper and aluminum from the coils and motors inside the appliances.
Kids breathe in more of these per area because their airways are smaller, which could put them at higher risk for health issues over time.
What researchers want next
The team suggests making appliances that emit fewer harmful particles and setting indoor air guidelines that protect everyone—especially children—from breathing in too many UFPs at home.