Dust Control

Dust consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil dust lifted by weather (an Aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in homes, offices, and other human environments contains small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibbers, paper fibbers, minerals from outdoor soil, human skin cells, burnt meteorite particles and many other materials which may be found in the local environment.

Road dust

Dust kicked up by vehicles travelling on roads may make up 33% of air pollution Road dust consists of deposition of vehicle exhausts and industrial exhausts, tire and brake wear, dust from paved roads or potholes, and dust from construction sites. Road dust represents a significant source contributing to the generation and release of particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Control of road dust is a significant challenge in urban areas, and also in other spheres with high levels of vehicular traffic upon unsealed roads such as mines and garbage dumps. Road dust may be suppressed by mechanical methods like sweeping vehicles,  with vegetable oils,[13] or with water sprayers. Improvements in automotive engineering have reduced the amount of PM10s produced by road traffic, the proportion representing re-suspension of existing particulates has, as a result, increased.

Dust control
Control of atmospheric dust

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates facilities that generate dust minimize or mitigate the production of dust in their operation. The most frequent dust control violations occur at new residential housing developments in urban areas. United States Federal law requires that construction sites obtain permits to conduct earth moving, and include plans to control dust emissions. Control measures include such simple practices as spraying construction and demolition sites with water, and preventing the tracking of dust onto adjacent roads.
US federal laws require dust control on sources such as vacant lots, unpaved parking lots, and unpaved roads.
Dust in such places may be suppressed by mechanical methods,[citation needed] including paving or laying down gravel, or stabilizing the surface with water, vegetable oils or other dust suppressants, or by using water misters to suppress dust that is already airborne.

Control of domestic dust

Dust control is the suppression of solid particles with diameters less than 500 micrometers. Dust in the air stream poses a serious health threat to children, older people, and those with respiratory illnesses. House dust can become airborne easily. Care should be exercised when removing dust to avoid causing the dust to become airborne. Some dust removing devices trap some dust. One way to repel dust is with an electrical charge.[citation needed] Certified HEPA (tested to MIL STD 282) can effectively trap 99.97% of dust at 0.3 micrometers.
Not all HEPA (type/media) filters can effectively stop dust, while vacuums with HEPA (type/media) filters, water, or cyclones may filter more effectively than without, they may still exhaust millions of particles per cubic foot of air circulated. Laser Particle Counters are an effective way to measure filter effectiveness, medical grade can test for particles as small as 0.3 micrometres.
In order to test for dust in the air, there are several options available. Re weighted filter and matched weight filters made from polyvinyl chloride or mixed cellulose ester are suitable for reparable dust (less than 10 micrometers in diameter).

Control of dust resistance on surfaces

A dust resistant surface is a state of prevention against dust contamination or damage, by a design or treatment of materials and items in manufacturing or through a repair process. A reduced tactility of a synthetic layer or covering can protect surfaces and release small molecules that could have remained attached. A panel, container or enclosure with seams may feature types of strengthened rigidity or sealant to vulnerable edges and joins.

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