Dust Control

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Dust Control
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Dust Control
Dust control measures are temporary in nature,
require reapplication, and may have environmental
impacts.
Dust Suppressants include water, hygroscopic
material, solutions of water and chemical
surfactants, foam, non-toxic chemical stabilizer
or any other dust palliative which is approved
for ground surface application by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the
California Environmental Protection (CalEPA).
Dust Control measures may consist of either
chemical, structural or mechanical measures.
These stabilizing materials are applied to the
soils surface to prevent the transport of soil
from exposed surfaces on the job site.
A Dust Control Plan identifies the Best
Management Practices for a project-specific dust
control program.

• Links
• http//www.epa.gov/owow/nps/gravelroads/sec4.pdf
• http//www.epa.gov/owow/nps/sensitive/chap7.pdf
• http//forester.net/ecm_0203_arrest.html
• http//www.stormcon.com/ecm_0401_bidding.html

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Dust Control for unpaved roads or work sites
Dust palliatives should not be applied during
rain or immediately before anticipated rain.
Approved dust control agents are preferred over
water drafting and application.
Do not apply chemical or petroleum-based
palliatives where they may enter a stream or
watercourse unless specifically approved for such
use.
Dispose of excess dust abatement materials at
designated sites. Make sure to carry a spill kit
for prompt cleanup in case of an accident.
Additional information can be found in FishNet
Roads Manual Appendix C Dust Palliative
Application Guide.
Photo courtesy of US Environmental Protection
Agency
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Dust Control Application
Dust control should be practiced on all
construction sites with exposed soils as needed.
Dust control is particularly important in windy
or wind-prone areas.
Sites with silt and clay soils are particularly
prone to dust.
Dust control is considered a temporary measure
and as an intermediate treatment between site
disturbance and construction, paving, or
revegetation.
Photo courtesy of US Environmental Protection
Agency
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Water is useful as a dust control BMP in
situations such as grading, when traffic is
non-stop during activity. It is also appropriate
in other situations of temporary activity such as
finish grading a pad or road section particularly
in windy conditions.
It is not the best Dust Control BMP over areas
prone to dust becoming airborne when those areas
will not be disturbed for a period of time. In
those situations other dust control BMPs such as
dust palliatives may be a better choice.
Do not apply chemical or petroleum-based
palliatives where they may enter a stream or
watercourse unless specifically approved for such
use.
Water as a temporary Dust Control BMP
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Dust Control
Excerpt from an article in Erosion Control
magazine Soil-Sement is one of many products
available for use as a dust control BMP.
Manufactured by Midwest Industrial Supply Inc. in
Canton, OH. Soil-Sement does not carry any
chemicals into the stormwater system because it
is not water soluble. For the rest of this
article go to http//www.gradingandexcavating.com
/ecm_0709_choices.html
This site was treated with a dust palliative
because it is located in a windy area, near
residences, and was not going to be developed for
several months.
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Dust Control

• Refer to FishNet Roads Manual
• Appendix C Dust Palliative Application
  Guidelines