Dust Control – Soil Stabilization – Erosion Control

Archive for the ‘PM10’ Category

Among the range of solutions that Odourdust Dust Control can offer for stopping dust rise or to suppress it from the air is Buffalo Turbine’s Monsoon. This unit will move water or other fluid through a proprietary gyrating atomizing nozzle, which will expel solution from a rotating hub through a screen at the perimeter of the atomizing nozzle. This results in a high speed impact that pulverises the fluid into a uniform spectrum of droplets.

When formed the tiny droplets will mix with the highly turbulent airflow generated by the Buffalo Turbine 14" single stage turbine, and will be projected into the air. The 50-200 micron size droplets will collect and trap airborne Dust Particulates and odours, ultimately resulting in an immediate reduction of pollution on site.

No generator is required for this diesel-driven, portable unit. Wireless nozzle and throttle control and oscillating stand and a reach of 40 m provides controlled dust suppression for a range of sites.

Boris Johnson called for extra government funding to avert the prospect of London’s failing to meet limits for dangerous airborne particles PM10, which could cost the UK millions in fines.

The mayor of London today unveiled his long-awaited draft air quality strategy, which includes a large number of uncosted measures, suggesting City Hall will press for negotiations with the government to help foot a large share of the bill.

The report, Clearing the Air, outlines the key sources of London’s harmful airborne pollutants PM10 and proposes an action plan to reduce emissions. Proposals include targeted action to tackle traffic hotspots, more trees around high-polluting roads, and a ban on London cabs and minicabs that are older than 15 years by 2012 and on all taxis older than 10 years by 2015.

But the report warned: "The mayor will discuss with government how it can help to fund PM10 reduction and deliver measures in this strategy … Many of the proposals included in this strategy are additional to the funding settlement agreed with central government as they were not envisaged by either party at the time."

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This story is not uncommon to us. many time good intentions don’t always end up the way we want them to. In this case the method used for erosion control is not exactly panning out the way they expected, now they have a dust control problem as well as an erosion control nightmare about to take place.

Had anyone else built this hillside near the U.S.-Mexico border, it would look nothing like it does. The barren hill would be alive with native plants, the earth would be solidly rooted and not a threat to tumble down into the Tijuana Estuary, a lush, 2,500-acre salt marsh that starts 600 feet away.

But along the newly constructed border fence near the Pacific Ocean in Border Field State Park, inch-thick tan clumps of seeds and mulch still blanket the ground. They haven’t been watered, so no plants have grown.

When Top-Seal is used for erosion control and or dust control, the application can be adjusted so that the end result will promote growth of new vegetation. In farming there is a practice called moisture banking. The objective is to leave the soil undisturbed after there has been a long soaking rain. This rain will create a protective crust on the surface of the soil. This crust will help keep the moisture in the soil. When Top-Seal is used to create this protective layer for either erosion control or dust control, the effects are even more drastic. In the long run, the moisture that is banked and the sealed, is there for the seeds to utilize for growth.

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A month ago, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords told a Green Valley newspaper that she’s not “anti-mining.” Late last week, she proved it. At a three-hour tour of Freeport McMoran’s Sierrita complex north of Green Valley, at a site where copper has been mined for a century, Giffords was as effusively friendly as she has been critical of the proposed Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains across the valley.

She had many reasons, but they boiled down to differences between living with an existing mine in a long-compromised area and bringing a new one into a more pristine site — and to differences in trust between neighbors of Freeport and of Rosemont.

Freeport’s mine — where mining has occurred for a century — employs 1,000 people and sprawls 1.5 by 2 miles in its open pit. A peek inside the 1,500 foot deep pit shows about 25 mine benches, each about 50 feet tall, heading toward the bottom. To the pit’s west lies the rocky Sierrita Mountains.

The mine processes 160,000 to 170,000 tons of ore daily, down in this recessionary area from 220,000 a year ago. Rock is blasted five days a week, three to five times daily. Electric shovels cost $25 million and stand 64 feet high. Each of 18 haul trucks can carry 162 tons for crushing. A mill building stands five stories tall.

Finally, the company’s 3,500 acre tailings impoundment stands as a testimony to past dust complaints from residents but also offers promise for future groundwater cleanups and newer dust control equipment, since the company is proposing to do a massive, very expensive cleanup of tainted groundwater lying underneath and spreading from the tailings.

At one point, Giffords marveled to company officials: “You’ve got quite a piece of land. How did it get like this?”

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Stricter air quality standards are in store for much of the Top of Utah.

The Environmental Protection Agency officially designated a new area of the state as in violation of the Clean Air Act.

The counties in the designation, known as a nonattainment area, either do not meet federal standards for air quality or contribute to nearby areas’ violation of those standards.

Past standards have regulated coarse particle matter in the air, known as PM10, and levels of PM2.5, a finer particle matter.

In 2006, the EPA tightened 24-hour PM2.5 standards from 65 to 35 micrograms per cubic meter.

The EPA said this is the first time Utah has had PM2.5 areas designated as nonattainment.

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This article is interesting for those that don’t have a grasp of PM10 and the requirements set by differing governments. Dust control with PM10 compliance.

Winter air quality monitoring in Otago has ended, with results showing the number of times towns in the region exceeded the national standard was much lower than during last winter.

The Otago Regional Council monitors air quality in 11 towns as part of a program to meet the National Environmental Standard (NES).

It requires the average daily PM10 level (of very small particulates) not to exceed 50mcg (micrograms) per cubic metre in a 24-hour period more than once a year, by 2013.

The NES also requires levels to show a steady improvement from 2005.

Council air quality scientist Deborah Mills said overall, the number of days during which towns’ air quality exceeded the NES was much lower than in 2008.

For example, Alexandra recorded 74 days in 2008, but only 40 this year and Clyde 37 in 2008 and 24 this year.

However, Dunedin and Mosgiel’s numbers were similar to last year’s.

Other differences in the two years included towns like Alexandra experiencing a quarter of its winter incidences of excessive PM10 levels in May 2008, yet none in May 2009.

Figures in 2007 were similar to 2009, so now 2008 stood out as a "bad year", she said.

The reason for the drop in days over the limit between 2008 and 2009 was probably due to the different weather pattern for the two winters, she said.

Balclutha was monitored this winter for the first time, exceeding the NES only twice, compared to neighbouring Milton’s 34 instances.

Milton experienced the highest one-day reading of the season of 144mcg per cubic metre – three times the NES.

Alexandra followed with 137mcg per cubic metre.

"The four Central Otago towns and Milton all had high one-day values of over 100 [mcg per cubic metre]."

Those high one-day readings were similar to the ones experienced in 2008, she said.

Lawrence was monitored for the first time this winter, but only every three days, and during the winter exceeded the NES six times.

Oamaru was in its second year of monitoring and exceeded the NES twice.

With continuous monitoring for more than five years in spots like Alexandra, Arrowtown and Dunedin, the council was just starting to have enough data to start looking at patterns and to measure progress towards the 2013 goal.

To do that, staff needed to work out how to take the weather "out of the equation", she said.

"We need to understand the relationships more clearly."

The Clean Heat, Clean Air program was certainly going to be helping when it came to putting out less particulate, Ms Mills said.

The 2009 data would be assessed, with a report probably going to the council in October, she said.

Article reflecting the importance of dust Control with respect to PM10 and PM 2.5. As a note, Alaska is reviewing product for PM10 compliance. Up to this point it has been reported that Top-Seal is performing way above the rest of the field.

To paraphrase the old Kansas song, “All there is, is dust in the wind …” but is that really all there is? With the sunny, hot days we have been having, the amount of dust in the air around town combined with forest fire smoke is definitely obstructing our view on some days, but is it harmful to our health?

What is airborne dust?

Airborne dust or particulate matter — PM for short — is made up of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets ranging in size from fine grains of sand to microscopic material a fraction of the thickness of a human hair that float in the air we breathe. It is a mixture that can include soil, smoke, soot, road dust, salts, acids, and metals.

Because they are so small, you generally can’t see the individual particles, but when combined in the air, they can affect visibility through localized dust clouds, and the really small particles blur the spread of sunlight and can cause a haze across a larger area. This haze can also affect the visibility in our rural and pristine areas — such as parks and forests — interfering with our enjoyment of these areas.

As reported in the Williams Lake Airshed Management Plan, PM is the most significant air pollutant affecting Williams Lake.

Excessive amounts of particles in the air can come from many sources — some natural, but in urban areas most are directly or indirectly related to human activities whether they be industrial, commercial or individual. Examples include:

• Wind-blown dust from unstabilized and/or disturbed vacant lots or open lands, industrial/commercial yards, paved and unpaved roads/parking lots.

Soils Control International can supply you with soil stabilization as well as high performance dust control products.

• Dust from earth-moving activities such as mining, grading, construction, demolition, trenching, landfills and agriculture

SCI also supplies to many construction sites for construction dust control.

• Driving on unpaved roads or surfaces and off-road vehicle activity

• Re-suspension of dust deposited on paved roads from track-out or spillage

• Heavy equipment movement, material handling and transport at industrial/commercial yards

• Disturbance of storage piles.

Sources of the very small, microscopic particles include vehicle exhaust, diesel emissions, smoke, industrial emissions, etc., landscaping maintenance activity (leaf blowers and other gas powered gardening equipment), wood burning stoves, fireplaces and outdoor furnaces/boilers, wildfires and brush/waste burning charcoal or wood-burning barbecues, backyard burning, and yes, even campfires.

The unsightly aspects of dust clouds obscuring views and the soiling of property do not create a favorable impression for visitors to the area, including tourists and individuals or businesses thinking of settling here. However, of more concern is that PM is among the most harmful of all air pollutants, especially the very small microscopic particles. These particles can be so small that they pass through the nasal passage and travel to the deepest parts of the lungs and cause damage.

Health problems begin as the body reacts to these foreign particles. PM can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis and other lung diseases, affect heart functions and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.

Although PM can cause health problems for everyone, certain people are especially vulnerable to the adverse health effects. These sensitive populations include children, the elderly, and those suffering from asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory diseases. Healthy people can be affected as well, especially outdoor exercisers.

Of greatest concern are health studies that link exposure to the very small particles in PM to the premature death of people who already have heart and lung disease, especially the elderly.

Here are a few things individuals, business, and other organizations can do to help reduce airborne dust (PM):

• Keeping any open area or vacant lots you own or are responsible for stabilized. Consider paving roads and other surfaces where motorized equipment or vehicles travel and/or plant drought tolerant vegetation wherever possible. Rather than applying water for dust control to these areas, consider vacuum sweeping or use environmentally friendly dust suppressants.

• Timely and consistent sweeping of paved roads and parking lots to minimize accumulation of PM. This is especially important in spring to reduce the effects of winter road traction material after snow melt.

• Trying to avoid driving or parking on unpaved roads, shoulders or lots unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you have to drive on unpaved roads and other dirt surfaces, drive slowly.

• Using marked trails and designated areas when having fun with your dirt bike, ATV or off road vehicle.

• Not using your dirt bike, ATV or off-road vehicle on dry river bottoms, other exposed areas or vacant lots. This activity creates a tremendous amount of dust and destabilizes the area so that any wind creates even more dust!

• Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment. Consider sweeping instead. If you must use leaf blowers, use responsibly and do not blow dirt and debris onto the streets.

• Reducing travel on days with poor air quality.

• Avoiding using your wood stove and fireplace on days that have poor air quality. Consider exchanging your wood stove or fireplace to a high efficiency one — watch for the Woodstove Exchange program in your area.

• Limiting fireplace and campfire use (campfires are illegal in our province at this time).

• Using propane or gas instead of charcoal barbecue grills.

• Driving cars less by using public transit, car pooling, riding your bike or walking.

If you must use your vehicle, plan the most efficient route, combine errands and give someone else a ride if practical. Park your vehicle centrally and walk as much as possible to do your shopping.

Avoid idling your vehicle. Consider switching from gas powered gardening equipment to electric, battery or solar equipment.

Get involved with air quality improvement programs in your community.

If you own or operate an industrial source of PM, please comply with local rules that apply to your operation. Consider working with local agencies to develop strategies that will further reduce PM emissions (such as the Williams Lake Air Quality Round Table).

For more information contact the Williams Lake Environmental Society’s air quality educator, Beverley J. Anderson, at 250-392-5997 or e-mail bevanderson09@gmail.com.

Informative Sites and resources include:

Williams Lake Airshed Management Plan at www.breatheasywil liamslake.org, the City of Williams Lake at www.williamslake.ca, or the BC Air Quality site at www.bcairquality.ca.

Smoke from the rapidly spreading Station Fire is causing very unhealthy air quality in communities near the fire.

The Air Quality Management Board is urging all individuals to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke. Unhealthy air quality will occur in areas of direct smoke impact, especially near the fires.

Wildfires generate smoke containing numerous air pollutants including fine particulates known as PM10 and PM2.5.

"Very high concentrations of fine particulates are occurring in areas  of direct smoke, especially the foothill communities of Altadena, La Canada  Flintridge, La Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, Montrose and Acton,” according to  an AQMD statement.

The agency reported that air quality will reach unhealthy levels today  in the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Gabriel, Santa Clarita and San  Fernando valleys.

Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.

Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter.

If you have an air conditioner, keep it running.  Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.

The unhealthy air quality is likely to linger for several more days.

The Plan is the Imperial County State Implementation Plan.

The County Supervisors held a public Hearing Tuesday to discuss the plan. Doctor Julia Lester of ENVIRON International Corporation, who helped put the plan together, presented the SIP to the Board. She said the SIP was the result of months of scientific study to determine if the Imperial County was in attainment for PM 10. Lester said the Particulate Matter is the result of mostly Dust. She said the determination of the SIP was that most of the PM 10 affecting Imperial County floated in from Mexicali Lester said if it were not for that, Imperial County would meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attainment levels for PM 10. During the Public Hearing several spoke against the Plan, including Luis Olmedo of the Comite Civico del Valle. Olmedo and several others told the Board they felt the burning of Ag fields created most of the air pollution in the County, sparking severe asthma outbreaks. Lester said it had been determined that 2% of the PM 10 locally resulted from Ag burns, while 70 % came from across the border. Olmedo said his group had a lawsuit pending against the County and the California Air Resources Board. He said it would be filed if the SIP were to be approved. A representative from the U.S. EPA also told the Supervisors they should wait on any decision, at least until the end of September. That would allow the EPA time to make a recommendation on the SIP findings. The Supervisors said a threat of legal action could not sway their decision, and they have waited long enough for the EPA to respond. They said the SIP was a living document that should be discussed and open for change at any time. District Four Supervisor Gary Wyatt said the field burning was a state issue, that should be taken up with Assemblyman Manuel Perez. Wyatt said it was state law that allowed for the Field burning regulations. The Supervisors voted 4-0 to accept the SIP and the negative declaration that went with it.

The UK government is failing by a wide margin to meet its legal obligations to combat air pollution in London. Environmental law and policy organisation, ClientEarth, have a launched a new campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws in London in time for 2012 Olympics.

London has the worst air quality in the UK and some of the worst in Europe. Recent figures have suggested that air pollution directly contributes to around 3,000 deaths each year in London alone  subsequent research has indicated that the figure may be significantly higher than this. The air quality failures in the capital are part of a wider national problem, with an estimated healthcare cost of up to £21 billion every year.

In July, ClientEarth launched their Clean Air for London campaign to ensure full compliance with air quality laws. The UK, along with sixteen* other EU member states, have asked the European Commission for more time to reach the air quality limits. The timing for the campaign could not better, with London due to take centre stage with the 2012 Olympics this is no time for the UK to be dragging their feet.

European law has set targets to reduce levels of dangerous airborne particles (known as PM10). Greater London has failed to meet these targets in every year since they became legally binding in 2005. The Government recently applied for a time extension for complying with these limits, despite having already missed the deadline set by the European Commission for doing so. By obtaining an extension, the UK Government aims to avoid fines and win more time to address a pressing problem that should have been prioritised years ago. To demonstrate its resolve to protect public health, the European Commission has launched infringement action over the initial legal breach.

ClientEarth does not believe that the UK government is legally eligible for a time extension for PM10. The UK does not meet the preconditions required by European legislation for the time extension and current plans to eliminate breaches of PM10 in London by June 2011 are not credible. Therefore, ClientEarth is taking legal action to compel the government to comply with its air quality obligations. On 27 July 2009 ClientEarth wrote to the European Commission urging it to reject the government’s request for a time extension on PM10 in London. Without a delayed deadline it will have to take decisive action now, rather than prolong its obligations while more Londoners suffer the health effects of poor air quality.

The UK government can and should make great efforts to improve London air quality in time for the London 2012 Olympics. Actions taken to tackle air pollution will save lives, improve the quality of life of all Londoners and save billions of pounds in healthcare costs.