Health How Ceiling Dust Affects Your Health Ceiling dust is extremely fine and heavy, often weighing down ceiling boards in older homes. It is made up of:Toxic exhaust particlesVehicle tyre rubber dustSmoke and ashEarth and sand particlesIndustrial and construction airborne wasteThese contaminants easily enter your home through:DownlightsPoorly sealed trap doorsCornice cracksAir ventsOpen windows Common Health Symptoms Caused by Ceiling Dust SneezingBlocked or runny noseHay FeverSinusitisPostnasal dripSore throatRespiratory irritationHomes in windy regions such as Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are particularly affected, making ceiling dust a serious issue for allergy sufferers.