Temporary
dirt roadways used during construction or development of large tracts
of land require the consumption of huge quantities of water to control
dust. Construction vehicles and other equipment running over unpaved
areas typically cause dust that exceeds US Environmental Agency
regulations unless dust control intervention is undertaken. The
baseline method for controlling road dust is to wet down the unpaved
areas with water on a regular, continual basis. In addition to the
waste of enormous volumes of water, this antiquated method of dust
control is labor and equipment intensive. The man-hours and equipment
tied up in this janitorial task could be used in more productive ways
thus increasing productivity and reducing operational expenses.
Less dust in the air or less mud caked on machinery
reduces maintenance costs and has the happy bonus of increasing safety
and reducing employee maintenance costs. House pads, building lots,
cuts and fills in construction areas, drainage swales, and detention
ponds on development sites require solutions for storm water
management, erosion control, dust control sediment control, the
elimination of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in run-off, and solutions
for a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
The Technology
DirtGlue polymer emulsion is an environmentally
friendly dust-control product used for dust suppression and soil
stabilization. DirtGlue, when properly applied with water and sprayed
onto a dusty surface, is similar to the baseline technique. DirtGlue
penetrates into the soil to the desired depth and the natural bonding
ability of the polymer causes the individual soil particles to attach
themselves to each other forming a film or crust which eliminates dust
when the surface is dry and eliminating run-off when the surface is
wet. This bonding causes the soil particle or aggregate at the surface
to become more stable thereby minimizing surface maintenance.
Properly applied, DirtGlue will not adhere to shoes or
tires. It is non-corrosive and will not leach or wash from the soil.
DirtGlue effects accumulate with each repeated application, further
strengthening the surface and increasing resistance to potholes, dust,
mud and sediment. Newly applied DirtGlue adheres to previously applied
DirtGlue.
An Alternative Technology for Heavy Traffic Areas
DustLess is a clean, safe, odorless, organic fluid
which is non-toxic to humans, animals, marine life and plants.
DustLess will not freeze in cold weather and will not evaporate or dry
out even over extended periods of time. Because it is non-corrosive,
does not contain chlorides and is not alkaline it will not cause the
deterioration or degradation of the metal parts of vehicles or
equipment.
After initial surface application of DustLess, it
gradually migrates deeper into the soil and laterally as it is
absorbed by individual soil particles. Therefore subsequent
applications will require less product to obtain the same effects.
DustLess can be applied by water truck or hydroseeder spray
applicator. Applied evenly to the roadway surface it should last 9-12
months so long as the aggregate/soil/dirt to which it is applied
remains in place. After that period, if and when reapplication is
desired will require 1/4 to 1/3 the original rate to rejuvenate what
is already there. This reduction in application rate and the
lengthening time of satisfactory surface conditions will continue as
all of the soil particles become treated. Because DustLess does not
create a slippery surface, it is safer and treated areas may be used
immediately after application.
The Benefits:
-
decreased labor costs because roadways no longer need
to be watered down multiple times each day
-
reduced road maintenance
-
increased availability of watering equipment for other
tasks
-
increased availability of water truck driver for
operation of other equipment
-
less maintenance, wear and tear, and filter changes on
equipment due to cleaner operating environment
-
reduced environmental health hazards leading to less
sick time and greater productivity of workers
-
no sediment run-off and complete control of total
suspended solids (TSS)
-
Best Management Practices (BMPs) in compliance with
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Planning (SWPPPs) and environmental
regulations and requirements
-
no erosion and no washed out embankments
-
no sedimentation of drainage swales and drainage
structures
-
no negative environmental impact to wetlands
-
proactive rather than reactive approach to all
environmental issues.
