Dust suppression is an essential aspect of road maintenance, especially for unsealed haul roads. Aside from cushioning the adverse impact of dust on the environment and the health of workers and nearby communities, it can also lead to less vehicle maintenance, optimal tire life, and improved operational efficiency. Many factors may affect dust lift-off, including road surface, traffic volume, vehicle speeds, weather, and climatic conditions. While dust suppression solutions such as sealing unsealed roads or spraying water are effective, they can be costly. In this article, we share our approach to dust control for unsealed roads in different climates, cost-effectively and sustainably.
Traditional Methods of Suppressing Dust
Here are some of the preventative measures that help keep airborne dust at a minimum:
Reducing vehicle speeds
Dust can be reduced by establishing speed limits, but this method can negatively impact operational efficiency. With this, companies usually combine the application of dust control products with setting speed limits so vehicles can still move faster than they would on an unsealed road.
Add moisture to the surface
Another traditional dust control method is watering road surfaces. The problem with this is that the effect is only for the short-term, especially in hot, arid locations where the water will evaporate faster. Consequently, it consumes a lot of water and takes a lot of time to maintain because it’s most effective when applied frequently.
Place windbreaks
Linear plantings or fences can also be strategically placed to reduce the impact of wind and prevent dust lift-off. Although windbreaks are typically used on farmlands, they can also be used in industrial sites prone to high winds.
The Best Dust Control Product for Unsealed Trafficked Areas
RoadBond is a non-corrosive, environmentally friendly product scientifically developed by Erizon to eliminate dust on unsealed road surfaces. With its superabsorbent polymers that draw moisture from the air, this dust suppression solution creates a durable protective layer that is resistant to traffic wear and erosive impacts of wind and water.
It has been tested extensively and proven to withstand the harsh site conditions of those operating in the mining, resources, and infrastructure industries. However, because climatic conditions are such a significant factor, and there are localised climates and seasonal changes throughout the year to be taken into consideration, we designed two product variants of RoadBond.
Dust Control Product for Dry, Arid Climates
Meanwhile, for unsealed and ungraded roads in dry, arid conditions where fine dust is a more serious issue, RoadBond Li can suppress dust effectively and improve stability. This variant is a naturally derived, biopolymer solution sourced from the wood pulping industry with a neutral pH close to 7.
This means the product is non-corrosive, has a relatively low impact on infrastructure, and is environmentally friendly. It can be applied at lower dosages for effective dust control and higher dosages for both dust suppression and road stabilisation.
Just like RoadBond Mg, it comes in liquid form and can be applied directly onto the surface or while grading. For dust control purposes, a single litre per square metre may be sufficient, but if you’re aiming for road stabilisation, up to two litres per square metre are necessary.
Similarly, no curing time is necessary, and immediate results can be witnessed.
Tailored Dust Suppression Solution
When it comes to dust suppression, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. As Australia’s leading environmental solutions provider, we are experts in planning and implementing dust control solutions tailored specifically to your site’s needs.
So whether you’re operating in the mining, resources, or infrastructure industries, our team can help you choose the right product, plan the timing of the application, and monitor results. Take the first step in solving your dust control problem – get in touch with Erizon today!
