The dryer regions of the country have a problem with particle matter floating in the air whose makeup 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 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.

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.

There is little anyone can do about the volcanic dust problem. The source of the pollutant dust is the best place to control that problem source, and road dust can be controlled by economical means. The reason this is so important is the actual makeup of the dust that is kicked up when a vehicle passes over any road in America. In 1999, a study was conducted by Ann Miguel, PhD. and Glen Cass, PhD. of the Environmental Engineering Science Department at Caltech in Pasadena that studied the hazards from dust particles on the roads. They discovered that over 20 different sources of allergens were present on paved roads alone that exacerbated, or could actually cause, allergic reactions in people.

The Federal Highway Administration of America has reported there are over 3.9 million miles of roads across our nation of which 70% is unpaved. The dust and debris from these surfaces can contribute up to 10 million tonnes of airborne material in the form of dust each year, according to the 1997 National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report conducted by the EPA. The spreading of this airborne nuisance dust had already been studied by the US Forestry Service. They estimated that for each vehicle that traveled just one mile down an unpaved road every day for a year would place 1 tonne of said dust into the air that would cover an area round the road up to 500 feet.

Common earlier road dust control  measures involved wetting the roads down with water. This is an effective but temporary solution that is still used today. Since nuisance dust has become a greater concern, better road dust control products  have been developed. These include the use of surfactants that last longer than water, but are still just a short temporary fix. Adhesives are used in some cases to bind the dust to the surface and seal it. An example of this type of product is tree sap or lignin sulfonate. Chlorinated salts are helpful in keeping the moisture level in place to help reduce the possibility of particles becoming airborne by the sheer weight of themselves.

Road dust is more than just a nuisance to those that have allergies, and products to control it are being developed and improved to meet this need on a continuous basis.

A valuable resource for more information on this environmental topic can be found at Soil Control International and their informative blog site.

“Inspections continue to detect non-compliance related to exceedances (sic) in emissions, illegal waste sites and contraventions of conditions across the range of authorisations,” Sonjica said, releasing the 2009 National Compliance and Enforcement Report, according to a statement from her office.

“While commitment to address these issues has been received in response to the inspection findings, with fairly drastic measures in some cases, enforcement action needs to be stepped up.”

Sonjica said a blitz on the cement sector identified lack of dust control – dust pollution as the major problem.

“Following the inspections, management of all nine facilities committed to addressing this issue, for instance by upgrading air pollution abatement equipment and further investigating possible fugitive dust emission sources, as well as measures to minimise air pollution.”

A number of steps were in motion to address the many challenges in effectively enforcing environmental laws.

A meeting between Sonjica and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe in September had resulted in the decision to move forward with the re-establishment of environmental courts.

“Officials within the relevant departments are now working on the details and processes which will be submitted to the ministers for consideration. It’s envisaged that the establishment of dedicated courts would have a profound impact on the fight against environmental crime.”

The commencement of new legislation like the NEM Waste Act and the various Environmental Laws Amendment Acts during 2009 should now provide additional tools to ensure effective enforcement and compliance monitoring.

The amendments have resulted in an increase and standardisation of maximum penalties for environmental offences, from hundreds of thousands of rands to five years in jail, or R5 million for a first offence and 10 years or R10m for a second offence. — Sapa

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=362655

Observations of dust emissions from haul trucks show that if the dust emissions are uncontrolled, they can become a safety hazard by impairing the operator’s visibility. This increases the chance for haul truck accidents. Yet, the greatest long-term health danger of dust created from hauling operations is due to inhalation of the respirable dust [median diameter <4 micrometers (?m)] along with thoracic dust, which is equal to the EPA’s characterization of PM10 [particulate matter with a middle diameter <10 ?m]. Exposure to respirable dust has always been thought a health danger at surface mining operations, particularly if silica dust is present.

There are two governmental acts that police the air quality for mining operations: the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Clean Air Act of 1970. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established the limits designed for dust in the work place for health and security purposes. The Clean Air Act of 1970 controls air emissions from facilities from an environmental viewpoint. Characterizing fugitive dust emissions from haul trucks may help mine operators understand the effects of exposure.

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 recognized a maximum value for coal respirable dust of 2 mg/m3 for coal pit staff. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enacts and enforces mine worker safety and health standards to lessen mine worker injuries as well as job-related diseases. If silica is encountered at some stage in the sampling procedure then the applicable respirable dust standard is reduced to the quotient of 10 divided by the measurement of quartz in the dust. For non-coal mine workers, the applicable standard is the respirable dust standard of 10 divided by the total of the quartz proportion added to 2. Both of these dust standards are intended to limit employee respirable crystalline silica (quartz) contact to 0.1 mg/m3 or fewer for the work shift. Falling in line with these dust standards is expected to lessen a worker’s chance of job-related lung illness over an average life expectancy. Furthermore, MSHA’s nuisance dust maximum value (total dust) for non-coal miners is 10 mg/m3.

Richard Harington spends nearly all of his time working to find solutions to haul road dust control products and other conservation and ecological projects not only for work but for pleasure as well. For more information regarding dust control or Haul Road Dust Control  please contact the author of this article.

Respirable coal mine dust can cause lung diseases such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), emphysema, silicosis, and bronchitis—known collectively as black lung. Black lung can lead to lung impairment, permanent disability, and even death. While there is no cure for black lung, there are important and potentially life-saving measures that MSHA requires to be undertaken to reduce exposure to respirable coal mine dust and prevent disease. Even though these measures have been required for many years, new cases of black lung disease continue to occur among the nation’s coal miners, even in younger miners.

Recently, MSHA conducted a targeted enforcement initiative that focused on miners’ exposures to respirable coal mine dust at selected underground coal mines. As a result of the lessons MSHA learned during this initiative, the agency requests that underground coal mine operators conduct audits of their respirable dust monitoring and control programs and address any deficiencies.

Dust sampling programs did not adequately address proper maintenance of sampling equipment or ensure that samples are collected at the required times (either on shifts or days).

Many mining operations implement a haul road dust control program in order to decrease the level of fugitive dust in the work area. 

Full story here

Ed Tanner, Bristol zoning official, said a zoning change from general business to manufacturing at the site will make ELJ in compliance with town regulations.

Mr. Tanner said, as of now, the business is a non-conforming use. ELJ has argued in the past that the business is grandfathered because they used the property for similar uses before zoning at the property.

“They’ve done a lot of things to their operations to try to comply with our requests and the neighbors’ complaints about noise and dust,” Mr. Tanner said.

The property has been the scene of zoning battles and lawsuits dating back to 2005, when families on Brook Farm Drive sued ELJ for noise and air pollution.

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management issued a dust control “ fugitive dust ” violation to ELJ in October of 2005, citing clouds of dust traveling from the Tupelo Street property to adjacent neighborhoods. Samples taken tested positive for silica, a potentially harmful substance when breathed in.

Since 2005, Mr. Tanner said, ELJ has taken several measures to clean up the property.

There were many past complaints by neighbors of mud being dragged up and down Tupelo Street, but now ELJ uses a street sweeper to keep the dust and the mud from being spread around the neighborhood.

Mr. Tanner said ELJ also implemented several dust control  measures, including changing the way they were using their rock crusher and the storing of stockpiles of materials on the property.

ELJ now uses water and a chemical called a tackifier resin that is sprayed on material piles to hold them in place and not produce dust.

Mr. Tanner said the town hasn’t had any recent complaints about the business. “(ELJ) has certainly done some things to clean that up and to address the town’s concerns,” Mr. Tanner said.

Part of the zoning agreement involves the submission of a master plan showing a map of the property with entrances, exits and parking. The change is on the planning board’s agenda for recommendation at their Tuesday, Dec. 8, meeting and would then go before the council the next day.

Company specialists can advise on strategic air control at the development stage or integrate into plants which have been in operation for some length of time. Fanquip’s Mining Division focuses on temperature control, ventilation, management of confined space environments, dust control  both in suppression and collection, and management of toxic gases and emissions.

Observations of dust emissions from haul trucks prove that if the dust emissions are unrestrained, they can be a safety danger by means of impairing the operator’s visibility. This increases the likelihood for haul truck accidents. Yet, the greatest long-term health risk of dust generated from hauling operations is due to breathing of the respirable dust [median diameter <4 micrometers (μm)] and thoracic dust, which is equivalent to the EPA’s definition of PM10 [particulate matter with a median diameter <10 μm]. Exposure to respirable dust has always been considered a health hazard on surface mining operations, particularly if silica dust is there.

There are two legislative acts that control the air quality designed for mining operations: the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Clean Air Act of 1970. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established the restrictions meant for dust in the work place for healthiness and safety purposes. The Clean Air Act of 1970 controls air emissions from facilities from an environmental viewpoint. Characterizing fugitive dust emissions from haul trucks may help mine operators grasp the effects of exposure.

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 recognized a maximum value for coal respirable dust of 2 mg/m3 for coal excavation employees. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enacts and enforces mine employee safety and health standards to ease mine employee injuries in addition to work-related diseases. If silica is encountered in the course of the sampling process then the applicable respirable dust standard is reduced to the amount of 10 divided by the percentage of quartz appearing in the dust. Representing non-coal mine personnel, the appropriate standard is the respirable dust standard of 10 divided by the sum of the quartz proportion plus 2. Both of these dust standards are designed to limit worker respirable crystalline silica (quartz) contact to 0.1 mg/m3 or less for the shift. Observance with these dust standards is projected to lessen a worker’s chance of work-related lung disease over an average life expectancy. Additionally, MSHA’s nuisance dust limit (total dust) for non-coal miners is 10 mg/m3.

But Al Gore Lied and the data was manipulated…

Climate change represents a greater threat to mining operations than many realize, and most fail to plan or implement any preventative measures, according to Jason Prno, president of the North Bay-based Trailhead Consulting.

"Most mining infrastructure is not designed for a changing climate," says Prno, who researched the threat the weather could pose to the industry in a study for the David Suzuki Foundation.

"The subject often takes a backseat to economic issues, legislation and as such, there tends to be little adaptive planning in place."
Speaking to attendees of the 2009 Sudbury Restoration Workshop held at Laurentian University on Oct. 28, Prno outlined how the expected temperature increases have already begun to impact the mining industry.

As an example, he points to the Rio Tinto/Harry Winson Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, where 2006 stood as the warmest winter on record. The elevated temperatures reduced the availability of the ice road from roughly 70 days to 42, forcing officials to fly in much more freight than usual. This resulted in additional costs of $11.3 million just for fuel transportation, presenting "a real wake-up call" for the industry, says Prno.
Similarly costly scenarios are being projected for other parts of the country.

Ontario can expect to see elevated temperatures that could lead to drier summers, affecting a mine’s water intake, and potentially exposing raw tailings to the elements. The scarcity of water could also affect activities such as dust suppression  and the composition of mine drainage.

Northeastern Ontario in particular is expected to see additional precipitation which could weaken engineered berms and dams. Not all scenarios are entirely bad, however, as warmer temperatures may also result in various cost efficiencies, such as a reduction in heating bills.

Despite the threats, changing the industry’s attitudes may be a challenge in itself. The study’s authors conducted two surveys among 100 mining industry workers, engineers, managers and executives across Canada. Results indicated that decision-makers in senior management were less likely than other staff to view climate change as having an impact on operations.

This is likely due in part to the many research gaps on the issue, as well as the capital costs and the uncertainty of future impacts act as "major barriers" for mining companies to properly adapt, says Prno.

These also presents a problem when requesting the legislation for mine closure plans to include climate change-related measures, such as monitoring of tailings to ensure it remains adequately covered. The lack of any such discussion in the recently announced changes to the provincial Mining Act is "disappointing," given the 5,700 abandoned mine sites within the province, says Prno.

Thus far, the mining industry’s dominant response to the issue largely surrounds the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with very little consideration for long-term adaptation planning, according to the report.

Prno suggests a number of possible solutions, starting with a better communication of the risks and projections of climate change. This will allow for staff to make use of climate change models in long-term planning and engineering designs.

The government also has a role to play in terms of providing regulatory certainty for greenhouse gas mitigation requirements, laying out a clear distinction of what will be expected.

The future is also ripe for innovators, suppliers and contractors willing to create and make use of new technologies to help mining firms adapt to climate change, particularly as awareness grows and shareholders begin demanding action.

Prno points to local organizations such MIRARCO and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation as having strong potential for offering new research perspectives and technology transfer on climate change issues.