Cockatiel feather dander

Question
I've been hearing alot of comments from people I know,
who have said that cockatiel feather dander can cause
lung cancer after years of having them.  I notice alot
of dander around the main area of my house and I have 2
of them.  I mist them every day but I wonder if I'm putting
my kids and my husband and I at risk for health problems.

Someone else in my family that visits, coughs when he is
over and in the same room.

Can you help me out?

Answer
Nope, it does NOT cause cancer. CockaTOO dander (well, both cockatoos and cockatiels have the same dander, cockatiels just don't have enough to pose much of a problem) does damage lungs and causes pretty severe allergic reactions if someone has allergies or asthma, but no, you're not causing cancer in your kids by having cockatiels in the house. I have a cockatoo that I got because her owner became severely allergic to the dander, but this sort of thing can be avoided by giving them baths each week, keeping the cage clean and house dusted, and if you are REALLY worried, you can purchase a HEPA filter. HEPA filters will get out the bird dander in the air (Ionic breeze and other filters do NOT work for this, no matter what anyone tells you). I have a Honeywell TrueHepa permanent filter that I use in the room with the Cockatoo.

As for the visitor that coughs, they probably have asthma or allergies and get a little stirred up when around your birds. Just try to dust your house and give the birds a bath when you know he is coming over.
Another thing, misting is good but doesn't get that excess dander out from under the feathers. Make sure the birds get SOAKED down to the bone at least once a week and you have nothing to worry about
Let me know if you need some more of those myths straightened out!