We all know that dust emissions from plant, equipment and the environment can be harmful. And while evident at first glance, it’s worth noting what classifies a dust emission.
In Australia, dust emission is generally determined by its size and potential for harmful impacts on living things and the broader ecosystem.
Referred to as particulate matter, or PM for short, these particles are separated into two main categories:
PM10: Or particulate matter that is 10 micrometres or less in diameter. PM10 particles are small enough to be breathed into the lungs and can cause respiratory problems.
PM2.5: Or particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. These particles are even more minute than PM10 and can infiltrate deep into the lungs, causing severe respiratory problems.
Are environmental regulations, health and safety concerns or potential profit loss a concern right now?
Naturally, The Australian government has established regulations and Codes of Practice to manage dust emissions and control to protect human health and the environment.
But considering that PM10 and PM2.5 motes are invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen under a microscope, it can be easy to ignore their hazards.
Considered “fine particulate matter”, both PM10 and 2.5 are smaller in width than a human hair.
Dust Emission: The Issue of Control and Mitigation
Considering the flow-on health effects often impacting Australia’s largest and most profitable industries, like mining and agriculture, controlling dust emission sources is critical.
Here are some of the most common methods, used singularly and in combination to combat the dust problem:
Source control:
This means reducing the amount of dust generated at the source.
E.g. using water sprays, dust suppression agents, or physically covering materials to reduce dust emission during construction, mining, and various industrial actions.
Engineering controls:
This concerns the equipment and technology used to capture and control dust emissions.
Examples can include using filters and scrubbers alongside electrostatic precipitators to extract dust particles from the atmosphere.
Administrative controls:
Refers to the policies and procedures implemented to limit exposure to dust.
E.g. scheduling work for times of lower wind speeds, using dust monitors, and providing workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to help reduce exposure to dust.
Landscaping and vegetative barriers:
Cultivating vegetation or creating barriers from natural materials like hedges and trees can also reduce dust emissions from nearby roads, mines, and other local sources.
Regulatory controls:
Governments regulate the amount of dust emissions businesses are permitted to generate and regularly enforce penalties for noncompliance.
Getting a Handle on Your Dust Emissions
GRT is a proud frontrunner in the race to eliminate dust hazards from work-related and industrial applications.
As a company, GRT’s philosophy revolves around eliminating the spread of particulate pollution.
With a range of class-leading products dedicated to just this and in use around the globe, let’s dive into some of the GRT products suitable for your application:
GRT Activate:
Activate is designed to control dust emissions by making water work.
GRT Activate enables water to penetrate the soil and bind with fine and even airborne dust particles, reducing dust emission and keeping surfaces damp for extended periods.
GRT: Wet-Loc:
Wet-Loc is a polymer-based dust suppression solution designed to form a durable and water-resistant surface layer on soils for up to six months.
This helps to prevent dust emissions by weighing down the soil, like water, and stabilising the underlying particles.
GRT: Haul-Loc:
The Haul-Loc solution controls dust emissions in areas requiring continuous use, like haul roads.
Haul-Loc is a high-strength, long-lasting polymer solution that can be mixed with water and sprayed using existing site water trucks, tankers, or sprinklers.
GRT: Enviro-Binder:
Enviro-Binder is a dust suppression solution designed to stabilise soil and control erosion in an environmentally friendly way.
It binds the soil particles together complexly, and after the polymer dries, it forms a durable waterproof layer that binds the surface and prevents deterioration.
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