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What
is Fugitive Dust? |
| Dust
is particulate matter (PM) consisting of very small liquid and solid
particles. Fugitive dust is PM suspended in the air by the wind
and human activities. It originates primarily from the soil and
is not emitted from vents, chimneys, or stacks. |
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| Idaho, the Dry (and
Dusty) State |
| Idaho's weather contributes
to the fugitive dust problem. Unlike most other areas of the country,
we have a wet season and a dry season. Long, hot summers allow the
soil to dry out thoroughly and, if the surface is disturbed repeatedly,
the soil may have months to blow away before normal rainfall can again
saturate and hold it in place. Some areas are also prone to high winds,
making matters worse. |
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| Health Impacts of
Particulate Matter |
| Due to the small size and
weight of particulate matter (10 micrometers or less in diameter,
compared to 70 micrometers for the average human hair), it can remain
airborne for weeks. When inhaled, it can
travel easily to deep parts of the lungs and may remain there, causing
respiratory illness, lung damage, and even premature death in sensitive
individuals. |
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| Regulating Fugitive
Dust in Idaho |
| DEQ regulates fugitive
dust emissions in Idaho. The Rules
for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho, IDAPA 58.01.01.651
state in part: |
All reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent particulate
matter from becoming airborne.
In determining
what precautions to take, consider:
- the proximity of dust-emitting operations to
human habitations or activities, and
- atmospheric conditions that might affect the
movement of particulate matter.
Reasonable
precautions include:
- Using water or chemicals
- Applying dust suppressants
- Using control equipment
- Covering trucks
- Paving
- Removing materials
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| Controlling Fugitive
Dust Emissions |
Keeping
potential fugitive dust problems under control is an everyday job.
Plan ahead by developing a dust prevention and control plan.
Fugitive
Dust: Developing a Prevention and Control Plan
(DEQ Publication, January 2003: pdf 143 kb, 7 pages) or Word
format. |
Supplemental Fugitive Dust Control Information (pdf 142 kb, 7 pages, or Word format)
Use self-inspection checklists to document dust control methods and weather conditions when dust control methods are implemented. |
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First
Think Pollution Prevention! |
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Minimize the surface area disturbed.
The less ground you disturb, the less dust you will raise as you
work, and the less cleanup when your work is done. |
| • |
Limit
dusty work on windy days.
Put your efforts into extra dust suppression measures as needed.
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| • |
Apply
dust suppression measures when needed.
Monitor your dust suppression efforts to ensure that dust emissions
are adequately controlled. You may need to adjust to less or more
frequent application intervals depending on your efforts and the
weather conditions. |
| • |
Clean
up dusty spills immediately.
Don't wait for the next scheduled housekeeping - the mess will just
get bigger and cleanup will take longer. |
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|
Control
Dust in Occasionally Used Areas |
| • |
Grow
vegetative ground cover.
Growing grasses or legumes is the most effective, easiest and most
economical control because these plants provide a dense, complete
cover. Even when the vegetation dries up, the roots will help hold
the soil in place. Don't leave open areas uncovered. |
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Use
wind erosion controls.
Plant bushes or trees, construct wood or rock walls or earthen banks
as permanent wind-breaks, or install porous wind or snow fences
as more temporary measures. Reduced wind velocity allows larger
particles to settle to the ground. |
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Apply
crust-forming chemicals.
These chemicals may include mineral salts, petroleum resins, asphalt
emulsion, acrylics, and adhesives. These treatments must be reapplied
periodically to ensure continued effectiveness. First check with
DEQ to be sure the material you want to apply is not harmful and
may be used for this purpose. |
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|
Control
Dust in Frequently Used Areas |
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Pave
haul roads and storage areas.
Heavy vehicles pulverize the surface material and create a constant
source of dust. If wholesale paving is too costly, pave just the
entrance and exit to minimize carryout. Gravel the remainder to
reduce surface silt. |
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Enclose
storage and handling areas.
If dusty materials are frequently loaded and unloaded in storage
and handling areas, enclose the areas to reduce fugitive dust emissions.
Use storage silos, three-sided bunkers, or open-ended buildings.
If handling is less frequent, try wind fencing. Conveyor loading
may require enclosure or the use of water or foam spray bars both
above and below the belt surface to reduce emissions. |
| • |
Keep
storage piles covered.
When storage piles are not in use, apply a physical cover or a dust
suppressant spray to help reduce fugitive dust emissions. Limit
the working face of the pile to the downwind side. Most emissions
come from loading the pile, loadout from the pile, and truck and
loader traffic in the immediate area if the pile is batch loaded.
Keep the drop height low to reduce dust and the ground at the base
of the pile clear of spills. |
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Water
and/or sweep often.
To ensure that vehicle traffic is not picking up dust for wind action
and carryout, water and sweep roadways often. Fewer treatments are
necessary in cool, wet weather. |
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Reduce speed limits.
Reduce speed limits on unpaved surfaces to 10 to 15 miles per hour
for well-traveled areas and heavy vehicles. Never exceed 25 miles
per hour for any vehicle on any unpaved surface. |
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Prevent
transport of dusty material offsite.
The transport of dusty material offsite can be minimized by rinsing
vehicles before they leave the property and tightly covering loaded
trucks. |
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| Consequences of
Non-Compliance |
| Failure to reasonably control
fugitive emissions may result in enforcement action by DEQ with possible
penalties assessed. |
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| For More Information |
Air
Quality in Idaho: Controlling Fugitive Dust at Construction Sites
(DEQ Publication,
July 2008: pdf 500 kb, 2 pages) |
Fugitive
Dust: Developing a Prevention and Control Plan
(DEQ Publication, January 2003: pdf 143 kb,
7 pages) or Word
format.
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This
information summarizes Idaho's fugitive dust control requirements
and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Detailed requirements
are outlined in DEQ's Rules
for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.650-651).
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