Week 13 Dust pollution in construction period

(Source: Google image, 2016)

The construction dust is an important factor affecting the air quality of the city environment. There are three main sources of construction dust. Firstly, building demolition and construction waste transport process will produce dust. Secondly, the construction of foundation engineering, earthwork engineering, structural engineering and other processes will produce dust. Thirdly, Building materials, such as cement, lime, sand and so on, will produce dust in the process of loading and unloading, stacking.

According to the different nature of dust, it can cause varying degrees of damage to the human body health. For example it may cause cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other diseases. Construction dust damage the human respiratory system significantly. Although a small amount of inhalation can be discharged through the discharge of sputum and normal breathing, if long-term absorption it will lead to the occurrence of lung tissue lesions. For example, pneumoconiosis is due to a large number of dusts absorbed by the lungs and cause serious damage to health.

The ways to prevent and control the dust pollution are list below: Firstly, construction site entrances and exits should set the vehicle washing machine and washing facilities. Vehicles should be washed before leave. It is strictly prohibited to vehicles with mud on the road. Secondly, stacked clay, sand, stone and other granular materials in designated place, and take cover or other measures to prevent the generation of dust. Materials such as cement and other materials that are easy to produce dust should be stored in the warehouse or in a closed container. Construction unit must be equipped with dust control device. Thirdly, the demolition works construction, earthwork construction, construction waste and earthwork and other transportation vehicles should be prohibited in strong winds weather.

Reference List:

Wenku.baidu.com. (2011). Construction dust pollution and prevention measures. [online] Available at: http://wenku.baidu.com/view/69efae1555270722192ef7e8.html?from=search [Accessed 6 Jun. 2016].

Lee, K., Kim, H., Park, J., Chu, K. and Ko, K. (2010). The Comparison and Analysis of Dust, Soil and Water Pollution Through the Case Study of Demolition Sites. Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 11(4), pp.100-108.