Dirt Isn't Dirty

Dirt and Us

Dirt and Cleanliness

We are living in a world of triple washed produce, antibacterial everything and extreme ideas about what it means to keep “clean.” We are far from the days of walking into our own gardens to pick fruits and vegetables. We discourage children from getting “dirty” by digging for worms, and we no longer subscribe to the good old phrase: “a little dirt never hurt anyone.” We have essentially become (likely without realizing it) a society obsessed with being clean - but where has this led us? I can tell you with certainty, that it has not led us to being healthier, in fact, we see more cases of autoimmune diseases, allergies and asthma in humans today, than ever before.

Dirt for The Immune System

Our immune system begins forming well before we enter the world; on the day we’re born, and never stops changing and working during the course of our lives. One of the most useful things we can do for infants and toddlers is to (sensibly) expose them to a “healthy dose of germs” early on. According to Dr. Mary Ruebush, a microbiology and immunology instructor for USMLE, this “exposure” allows our immune system to practice responses and to begin learning to decipher when to respond to something and when to ignore it. (Ruebush, Mary. Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways To Make Germs Your Friends. Kaplan Publishing, 2009.)

Dirt for The Brain

We know that fumbling around with dirt can help our gut stay healthy and it can aid in preparing a healthy immune system response. In fact, WebMD published a slideshow (March 2, 2018) in which they discuss how gardening makes your brain release mood-boosting chemicals that can help calm one’s anxiety. Given all this, my recommendation is to get out there and explore nature because Dirt isn’t Dirty®!

Online Course Syllabus

Week 1

Introduction to the claim Dirt isn’t Dirty®.

Assignment: One/Two page narrative on your experiences with dirt and initial thoughts about the claim.

Week 2

Learning about the Hygiene Hypothesis.

Assignment: One/Two page reflection on your thoughts about the hygiene hypothesis and how your initial ideas about dirt may be changing.

Week 3

How dirt plays a role in having a healthy immune system.

Assignment: One/Two page narrative on your early childhood recollections of playing outside, along with your current beliefs about dirt and cleanliness.

Week 4

Review of articles, books and videos about dirt hypotheses.

Assignment: Choose an article or book published on the topic of dirt and health. After having read it, write a two/three page research summary on the findings with a final section of your thoughts.

Week 5

Final thoughts and assessment.

Assignment: Taking all new information learned, prior thoughts and experiences as well as new views, write a four/five page paper that will tie the theories on dirt and health with your understanding of it.

Flexible schedules available.

About Me

I was born and raised in The Bronx, New York.

In 2002, I began teaching biology and chemistry in a Westchester County High School where I continue to teach today.

In March 2017 I was having a conversation with one of my freshman living environment classes about what it means to be "clean," and the phrase Dirt isn’t Dirty® was born. My students laughed when I said it, but it went on to generate a wonderful conversation involving the hygiene hypothesis, various OCDs, our immune system and the truth about dirt.

Dirt isn’t Dirty®