While there are a number of ways to control dust from industrial enterprises, not all techniques are created equal. The proper method can dramatically increase efficiency and decrease dust levels, saving both time and money.
From simple watering and proper vehicle operation to wind sheltering and chemical stabilization, there is no shortage of ways to control dust. As much as the methods vary in technique, so too do they vary in effectiveness — but once the best solution is found for a project, dust control can save up to 60% on maintenance costs while also protecting the environment.
Dust Control Methods as Varied as Dust
Dust control is necessary for any industrial or commercial operation that stirs up fines from grading, hauling, demolition, and traffic. But the most effective means of control often varies depending on the source of the dust and environmental factors. Land-clearing activities, for example, can stir up fugitive dust that’s best contained with water applied by trucks or hoses — but during high winds, it’s necessary to apply chemical stabilizers.
Similarly, projects involving earth moving, storage piles, or unpaved roads all have different needs that change not only depending on the season, but also with the different stages of the project’s progress. For instance, employing windbreaks in conjunction with palliative methods such as particle binders or watering at one stage of the project might suffice, but when the haul operations are ramped up, for instance, the methods being employed must then address the dust the vehicles produce along with the other challenges already present. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution — a comprehensive, well-organized plan is necessary case to case.
What to Expect When Planning for Dust Control
Because of the multifaceted nature of dust control, expert consultative and diagnostic measures should be taken. Having a professional eye that considers the project’s needs before breaking any ground is crucial to maximizing both budget and efficiency — especially as environmental regulations become more stringent. Strategies may include a phased approach or even the utilization of multiple methods.
Unfortunately, store-bought catchall products are frequently ineffective and need constant reapplication, wasting both time and money. Some chemical agents can also damage the soil, reducing its permeability and increasing runoff rates, while others are not effective on all types of soil. The equipment necessary for some of the best methods are unique and not readily available, and weather can inhibit other dust control techniques. This makes an adaptive strategy the most effective.
Midwest Offers A Dynamic Solution
With all of the factors to consider, dust control can seem an overwhelming aspect of planning a project — but it doesn’t have to be. For any worksite looking to control its dust levels, Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. is the one-stop shop for the most effective methods. Midwest’s solutions-based strategy starts with a thorough understanding of clients’ needs, inside and out, so the most effective methods are used, at the most affordable rate.
EnviroKleen®, provides long-term dust suppression using a synthetic fluid and polymeric binder, interlocks surface aggregate and fines together and is effective on clay, sand, gravel, limestone, and most native soils, regardless of the weather or how severe the traffic. With a Managed Services approach, Midwest evaluates traffic flow and volume, soil quality, track-on and contamination sources and creates a customized application program.
(Main image credit: Neil Moralee/flickr)
