Dust Control – Soil Stabilization – Erosion Control

Archive for the ‘dust control’ Category

Encouraged by efforts from the West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) to eliminate a dust nuisance from its red mud (waste disposal) lake at Battersea in Central Manchester, residents have reportedly suspended plans to sue.

“The objective was never about money, the aim always was to get the company to do the right things,” Battersea resident Mark Cameron told the Sunday Observer last week.

Cameron was one of the leading voices protesting the dust nuisance,

“The feeling now is that they (Windalco) are now on the right track though there is a lot more that needs to be done,” he added.

Cameron had said late last month that a member of his community was preparing to file a “class action” law suit against the bauxite/alumina company as a consequence of “the clouds of toxic dust” from the dry lake invading their homes and endangering health.

But over the last two weeks the waste disposal site — which over a period of months had become a dust bowl — has been flooded with water.

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There are different types of construction dust that is created at the workplace. The type of construction and location of the site will determine what is in the air.

The dryer regions of the country have a problem with particle matter floating in the air whose make up is different than wetter regions where the nuisance dust could be from the saw dust that the building tools create. The cleaning up of the loose debris is the solution for most dust problems that are actually created on the construction site that is directly caused by the construction process. The health hazards of construction site dust could include cement residue, asbestos, mineral fibers with a man made origin and the most common is wood dust.

The reason for the concern is the effects it has on the people working at the site and the surrounding region. When natural sources of dust from plants and animals combine with the airborne particles of the construction site, it could adversely affect the membranes of the occupance.

The US Department of Health and Human Service’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health consider silicosis has a major problem and cause of health problems that has its origins from construction dust . Construction dust control from the particle matter smaller the 10 micrometers or PM10 has to be approached from a different perspective than those that are naturally occurring in our environment

The airborne crystalline silica that originates from the concrete, masonry and rock on the site can become lodged in the membranes and lungs of the respiratory systems of the people on and near the site. Once there, they become hardened and cause permanent damage and even death.

Construction dust control for this problem can be accomplished when the proper precautions are taken along with the right equipment. The blades that are used to cut concrete and other masonry items should be equipped with a water attachment to make the dust to heavy to become airborne. When drilling into rock the same accessory should be used to weigh down the dust and prevent it from becoming airborne.

Cleanup afterwards is just as important. The water that was used to weigh down the dust particles will evaporate over time. Collection and proper disposal is a necessary part of keeping the work site as free as possible of nuisance dust.

Another little thought about source of silica is from the abrasive materials that are used on the construction site. This includes the silica paper and sanding discs that are used to prepare and condition the different surfaces around the site. When these materials are used, the operator should be using a dust mask on themselves to prevent inhalation of the particle matter.

The US Government classifies nuisance dust that is created by the landscape as a natural event under the air pollution laws. This is a contributor to the construction dust problem but not the whole cause. With the proper precautions control of construction dust can minimize the adverse effects in the people on and near the construction site.

To help you with determine specifically what is best for your situation there is a valuable resource with information on this environmental topic at Soil Control International and their informative blog site.

The fugitive dust that is around us is not on the run from the law, but in some cases should be. It is true that this type of dust has been around since the dawn of time caused by wind sweeping across the barren landscape.

This type of dust is scientifically described as particular matter. This is airborne debris that can adversely affect the health of people and the environment. The most common particulate matter is smaller than 10 micron in diameter and is called PM10. The second most common is PM2.5. This is debris that is smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter.

As man has evolved, so has his impact on the surrounding environment. The process of the fine particles that are being introduced into the atmosphere is becoming more numerous as time goes on. This was first noticed in the days of the wagon trains when it was beneficial to be up front due to the dust cloud that was created.

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An approach to road dust control  must take into account the type of road and the terrain in which it is situated. The solution for a paved road in the desert will be very different than a gravel road in the rural upper Midwest. Since nuisance dust has many sources in the environment, a permanent solution is not feasible. But there are long term solutions and very short term solutions to road dust .

The shortest term solution is the spraying of water on the road surface. This is an environment-friendly solution, but only lasts until the water evaporates. Oils are a longer term solution, but are not nearly as environmentally friendly as water is. In some cases, like with Times Beach in Missouri, the oils are from a waste source and contain toxins. The oil that was used as the road dust control  product for Times Beach was only 6 cents a gallon, but contained dioxin and other toxic chemicals. This was an economical solution for the town and its dust problem, but a health and environmental nightmare. This has lead to a ban by many states for the use of waste oils as a road dust control product.

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Most Americans are not fully aware of the road dust problem that exists across the nation. This dust is of a different makeup from what is found around in most homes. The dust that accumulates around on the furniture is made up of some dirt particles, but its main component is dead human skin cells that have fallen off the occupants of the dwelling.

For a particle to be considered dust, it must be smaller than 500 micrometers in size. This is why HEPA filters are used on vacuum cleaners and as part of the HVAC units in the homes, they trap 99.97% of all particles that are 0.03 micrometers in size.

Nuisance dust from the roads has a completely different composition and source. This dust is produced when the soil is disrupted and made airborne from wind or a passing vehicle, pollutants in the air, and the occasional volcanic dust that lingers around in the atmosphere.

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Two politicians have raised concerns about Penrice mine dust.

One has suggested a drastic remedy.

David Winderlich, independent member of the Legislative Council, called for the state government to ban Penrice from mining on hot and windy days.

Mr Winderlich and Ivan Venning – the Member for Schubert – have both highlighted Penrice dust as a health and environmental issue.

They believe Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) tests show the mine has produced dangerous levels of fine-particle dust – in breach of the National Environment Protection Monitoring standard.

The results were recorded by a ‘hotspot caravan’ that has been located near the mine for the past nine months.

Penrice Soda Holdings, the company that owns the Barossa mine, has rejected the figures.

Guy Roberts, Penrice managing director and chief executive officer, revealed the mine’s own EPA dust monitors had not recorded any dust emissions that breached standards.

“We deny these exeedences,” Mr Roberts said.

“The supposition is those results picked up by the hotspot caravan were due to outside mine factors.”

The ‘hotspot caravan’ monitoring station was put in place on March 31, for a period of 12 months.

Mr Venning said it was installed after appeals by nearby neighbours.

But he was worried the monitor did not meet national standards.

“The EPA is supposed to be the community’s watchdog authority with regard to environmental issues, but in this case it appears they have dropped the ball,” Mr Venning said.

“Is this body serious about enforcing environmental standards or are they merely a toothless tiger?”

Meanwhile, the mine has already committed to install a new dust suppressant system in coming months.

This will come at a cost of $200,000 and be located inside the mine’s aggregate crushing plant – one of the known sources of dust emissions.

This move follows trials of a water soluble, biodegradable foaming dust suppressant system.

However, Mr Venning urged the mine to do more.

He wants the crusher and conveyer belts enclosed, to help reduce dust emissions.

“No one including myself wants to see the mine closed,” Mr Venning said. “Everyone is aware of the employment the mine provides for locals and that the soda ash extracted from the mine is used to make glass bottles – in particular wine bottles.”

Mr Venning believes the mine can fit in with the community.

“But measures need to be taken to ensure this happens,” he said.

If containing dust on bulk out-loading is an issue then this award winning Dust Suppression Loading Hopper could be the answer.

The DSH hopper has tackled dust issues on sites handling products such as fertilisers, grain, pet food, sugar, salt, sand and gravel, with throughputs of up to 800 tonnes per hour.

At the point of loading the hopper concentrates the discharge of dry goods into a solid column through free air into any target, including trucks, rail cars, stock piles, storage containers or bags.

Uncomplicated to install and easy to operate and maintain, the hopper reduces hazards, health risks, dust, wastage, cleaning and maintenance costs.

The hoppers are manufactured in Polyethylene, Carbon steel, 304 and 316 stainless and provide a cost-saving and effective solution for the transferral of many dry granular goods.

Contact the Sales Team at Guttridge Limited for advice on how the DSH Hopper can work for you.

For more information contact;

Guttridge Ltd. Spalding, Lincs.
Tel 01775 765300

Web: www.guttridge.co.uk

If containing dust on bulk out-loading is an issue then this award winning Dust Suppression Loading Hopper could be the answer.

The DSH hopper has tackled dust issues on sites handling products such as fertilisers, grain, pet food, sugar, salt, sand and gravel, with throughputs of up to 800 tonnes per hour.

At the point of loading the hopper concentrates the discharge of dry goods into a solid column through free air into any target, including trucks, rail cars, stock piles, storage containers or bags.

Uncomplicated to install and easy to operate and maintain, the hopper reduces hazards, health risks, dust, wastage, cleaning and maintenance costs.

The hoppers are manufactured in Polyethylene, Carbon steel, 304 and 316 stainless and provide a cost-saving and effective solution for the transferral of many dry granular goods.

Contact the Sales Team at Guttridge Limited for advice on how the DSH Hopper can work for you.

For more information contact;

Guttridge Ltd. Spalding, Lincs.
Tel 01775 765300

Web: www.guttridge.co.uk

The anticipated $100 million it will cost each year to reduce coal dust on shipments of Wyoming coal out of the Powder River Basin is causing friction between the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. and some public utilities.

BNSF, as well as the Union Pacific Railroad, have spent hundreds of millions of dollars already to reduce coal dust since a 2005 derailment was blamed on coal dust accumulation on the tracks.

But industry officials say additional coal dust suppression measures may be required, costing millions more.

Possible solutions include covering cars, applying a latex coating, or filling cars with less coal.

American Public Power Association estimates whatever method is chosen will add $100 million annually to the cost of shipping coal out of the Powder River Basin.

Suited up with green hard hats, safety vests and protective goggles, five members of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council’s Environmental Committee headed to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold’s Sierrita operation to see how the mine controls tailings dust.

Chief Environmental Engineer Sherry Burt-Kested, Environmental Manager Chad Fretz and Regional Community Affairs Manager Richard Ducote explained how their impoundment crew works to minimize dust from the mining process.

There is special attention to the 3,500 acres of the mine’s Mill Tailings Impoundment, which is surrounded by about eight miles of berm. Tailings are a by-product of the mining process. The berm refers to residue and rock piled around the edge of the impoundment to help reduce dust.

Fretz said blue-green algae is a native binder for desert soil. First tried on the tailings impoundment in 2003, when added to water in the impoundment area, it helps to minimize dust. He said Freeport McMoRan recycles 30 percent of its water at the mine.

“We anticipate winds, watch the weather, have appropriate staff to tend to tailings and we hear from the ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality),” Fretz said.

But even the best plans can face challenges.

Freeport-McMoRan last year paid a $105,000 fine to the state for air-quality violations involving dust coming from the mine in 2006 and 2008.

About 600 homes in Green Valley were affected by the tailings dust in 2006, and an investigation found Freeport-McMoRan had failed to document or act to avoid future problems. The company paid more than $150,000 to help residents clean their homes in 2006.

Today, Freeport-McMoRan staff works around the clock and additional staff will be called to aid the regular impoundment crew of eight when weather conditions forecast problematic winds. Fretz said employees will be pulled off a job to help with dust control as needed. They maintain areas of wet surfaces and look for hot spots of dust within the mine’s 27-square-mile area.

To help spray water faster Freeport McMoRan has purchased Snowcats, large tractor-like vehicles that can spread water 20 feet in each direction.

Burt-Kested said she is constantly looking at new ways to minimize dust.

Along with workers keeping the speed of trucks down to help minimize dust, she touted the expertise of employees who watch for hot spots of dust and work to mitigate it.

More than blue-green algae, Snowcats dispersing water over wide areas and employees keeping an eagle eye out for hot spots, the mine has a Terra-Gator vehicle that disperses seeds so vegetation can grow. It’s another way to reduce dust.

Freeport-McMoRan also has about 100 head of cattle that provide fertilizer to help vegetation grow.