There are many steps you can take to control the dust pollution that may be present during an event. These measures include watering haul roads, changing HVAC filters, and installing fences. Dust suppression measures can also be implemented during an event, so consider them if you’re planning one. In addition, dust-generating operations should be limited. In addition, it’s vital to ensure that ventilation and HVAC filters are changed regularly and to use chloride irrigation.
Watering haul roads
The most common method for dust suppression on haul roads is watering with water bowsers. Watering a haul road with a water truck every hour will keep instantaneous dust concentrations below two micrograms per cubic meter for up to three hours. Similarly, a water truck once an hour or twice an hour will achieve a control efficiency of 40 percent or greater for total suspended particulate matter, or 55% in the half-hour period after watering. However, the amount of water necessary for a 24-hour operation will depend on how frequently it is used.
These bowsers spray water on the road’s surface to keep it moist and dust-free. Alternative methods include adding specially developed chemicals and binders to the water and road surface, which bind dust particles and enable the water to evaporate. The residual lignosulfonate in the water also traps dust particles.
Changing your HVAC filter
Changing the HVAC filter is one of the best ways to control dust. If you have an outdoor condenser unit, cleaning it every spring is essential to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. A standard HVAC filter should be changed every three months or as the air handler manufacturer recommends. Some models may require more frequent changes. Changing your filter regularly will ensure the optimal functioning of your HVAC equipment, preventing breakdowns and costly repairs.
Changing your HVAC filter will extend the life of your system. New HVAC units cost a lot of money, so you’ll want to ensure they last as long as possible. Routine maintenance will reduce the need for expensive repairs or replacements, so changing your air filter is a smart way to extend the life of your HVAC unit. In addition to protecting your HVAC system, changing the filter will ensure your home’s air quality is good.
Putting up fences
Putting up fences to prevent and contain dust suppression can help control the amount of sand and soil erosion caused by wind. Fences around coal mines and transfer points can help control the area’s dust. Dust suppression is crucial in these areas to prevent health problems, material loss, and environmental damage. Fences can protect storage piles by diverting large gusts of wind and making other dust suppression methods more effective.
Fences can be made of various materials and can be made of wood, mesh, or boards. Windbreaks are most effective when installed at specific angles to the wind. These fences reduce wind speed by 5 to eight times and do not create additional turbulence. They should be placed around 125 to 200 feet from the house. However, in some cases, windbreaks can reduce airflows to just a few feet.
Using chloride irrigation
Using chloride irrigation to prevent and control dry dust is common in the Western United States. Although magnesium chloride is unsuitable for vegetation, it is widely used as a dust suppression agent on paved and unpaved roads. It has several other beneficial uses, including base stabilization and reducing soil erosion. The following are a few examples of the use of calcium chloride. A light mist helps allow moisture to soak into the soil, preventing the formation of a dust-free environment.
Chloride-based dust suppressants are less toxic than those based on other chemicals. However, they have disadvantages. Chloride-based dust suppressants can cause problems for aquatic life, steel infrastructure, and concrete, so they should only be used in limited conditions. Furthermore, chloride-based dust suppressants require a frequent application to impact significantly.
The application of chloride irrigation on unpaved roads is recommended for sensitive sites. It is a cost-effective way to reduce dust emissions. If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages? You may check Global Road Technology to learn more about this.
There are several advantages of magnesium chloride, including cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. Among these advantages, magnesium chloride is available at lower costs and has a more significant long-term environmental impact. Earthbind (r) 100 is an environmentally-friendly solution for dust suppression on unpaved roads. It is non-water-soluble and remains in the roadbed, reducing dust and improving the road’s base with each application.
Another advantage of calcium chloride is that it attracts moisture from its surroundings. Calcium chloride, for example, stays damp on unpaved surfaces. It also resists evaporation, which continues to attract moisture from its surroundings. A high concentration of calcium chloride in the soil can kill trees and cause other land uses to fail. And because it has a low freezing point, it also makes the soil moist and prevents dust from forming.