Unpaved roads pose many dangers to its users, among the most prevalent being the excessive amount of dust generated by daily traffic. More than just being a major nuisance, dust clouds from unpaved roads obscure the vision of drivers, creating traffic hazards. Airborne dust can have several other potential issues. Plant pores can become clogged with dust and cause a shading effect, resulting in stunted crop growth. Livestock can also be affected, suffering from dust pneumonia, pink eye and respiratory illnesses. People living in close proximity to unpaved roads can suffer from allergies, including hay fever and respiratory issues. The fine dust particles are also abrasive, increasing wear in equipment and vehicles. Dust that gets carried into creeks, streams, and lakes increases the turbidity of the water. The proposed solution to road dust is the application of dust control chemicals and the following are important facts you should know about dust suppressants:
• Some of the most commonly used dust suppressants in today’s market include calcium chloride, lignin derivatives, magnesium chloride, road fabric, sodium chloride, resinous adhesives, and water. Selecting the right type of chemical or suppressant to use is a matter of determining the condition of the road and the results or level of dust control desired. Dust suppressants differ in performance characteristics and finding the right chemical or product to use should depend on the condition of the road as well as the type and volume of traffic it serves.
• Magnesium and calcium chloride, which are hygroscopic salts are some of the most commonly used chemicals for treating unpaved road surfaces. Their hygroscopic properties retard evaporation from road surfaces even during the heat of day and draw moisture from the surrounding environment. This produces brine, which keeps road surfaces moist.
• Dust suppressants are generally diluted with water at a rate of 25-50% and applied to the surface with a sprayer. Depending on the product used, the benefits will be cumulative, requiring less product over time as the road components adhere together to form a hardened surface.
• Lignin is a cost-effective substitute to commonly used salts and chemicals. Lignin derivatives have natural cementing properties that bind dust particles together, reducing loss of fines and aggregate.
• In wetlands or areas of environmental sensitivity it is important to use dust suppression products that will not harm the adjacent vegetation, fish and animals. For this reason many people are turning away from calcium chloride or other chloride salts toward less damaging options, such as lignin derivatives.
• Some of the most commonly used dust suppressants in today’s market include calcium chloride, lignin derivatives, magnesium chloride, road fabric, sodium chloride, resinous adhesives, and water. Selecting the right type of chemical or suppressant to use is a matter of determining the condition of the road and the results or level of dust control desired. Dust suppressants differ in performance characteristics and finding the right chemical or product to use should depend on the condition of the road as well as the type and volume of traffic it serves.
• Magnesium and calcium chloride, which are hygroscopic salts are some of the most commonly used chemicals for treating unpaved road surfaces. Their hygroscopic properties retard evaporation from road surfaces even during the heat of day and draw moisture from the surrounding environment. This produces brine, which keeps road surfaces moist.
• Dust suppressants are generally diluted with water at a rate of 25-50% and applied to the surface with a sprayer. Depending on the product used, the benefits will be cumulative, requiring less product over time as the road components adhere together to form a hardened surface.
• Lignin is a cost-effective substitute to commonly used salts and chemicals. Lignin derivatives have natural cementing properties that bind dust particles together, reducing loss of fines and aggregate.
• In wetlands or areas of environmental sensitivity it is important to use dust suppression products that will not harm the adjacent vegetation, fish and animals. For this reason many people are turning away from calcium chloride or other chloride salts toward less damaging options, such as lignin derivatives.
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