Dust Nuisance Research Articles

Mechanical and micro-structural aspects of admixture stabilized rock sludge dust

The Rock Sludge Dust (RSD) is a by-product generated during the cutting and polishing of stone slabs obtained from rock blocks in the rock processing industry. Currently, only a minimal amount of RSD is being used, while larger quantities are being stored within the industrial vicinity. In its dry state, this fine sludge dust is susceptible to rising even under mild winds, causing severe health and environmental concerns. The previous attempts by a few researchers to utilize this industrial waste were confined to brick making, cement manufacturing and concrete making within the projected utilization of up to 20%; and even to that extent, the field performance and confirmatory studies are lacking. In this endeavor, an attempt is made to study the possible use of non-reactive RSD as a passive bulk material within the stabilized matrix using other materials such as locally available clay soil, lime, and pozzolan (fly ash). The present study revealed that the addition of 10% local clay soil to RSD could alter its dust texture to natural soil texture so that its handling and transportation become convenient without dust nuisance. Further, the addition of 5% lime and 10% fly ash could impart UCS values ranging from 3.20 MPa to 5.88 MPa, thus making it a suitable material for the construction of low-volume roads. The XRD and SEM analyses of the favorable mix combinations arrived at based on the tests on trial mixes indicate the formation of cementitious minerals and gels. These findings enable the concerned construction industry to utilize the non-reactive RSD for gainful purposes, alleviating environmental issues and making the approach sustainable and eco-friendly.

The Preparation of the Exhibition of Historical Clothing without Showcases and Including Subsequent Care for it with Focus on Monitoring of Dustiness

In terms of the preparation for the Major Exhibition entitled “Retro”, which opened in June 2016, we were faced with the problem of how to manage the installation of a large amount of clothing without using any showcases. The women’s and men’s clothing that was installed came not only from the collections of the Historical Museum and the Náprstek Museum, but also represented the contemporary creations of both domestic and foreign designers and apparel houses. The installation in open areas not only provides a more immediate experience for the visitor and proffers wider architectural options and represents a significantly lower financial burden, but at the same time it also poses risks for the precious garments. The biggest risks include dust nuisance, pests and also undisciplined visitors in the manner of damage from touch and also from theft and vandalism. We try to take into account all these risks and on the basis of surveying the possible solutions eliminate them. At the same time amethod of dust monitoring has been tested in the ongoing exhibition and its results are also discussed in the article.

The development of a novel method for directional dust monitoring

Dust monitoring using sticky pads was popularised in the 1980s. The discolouration caused by dust adhering to white adhesive material was measured with a smoke stain reflectometer. This loss of reflectance was expressed as the percentage effective area coverage (EAC%) per day. EAC% can be used as a measure of nuisance caused by dust. EAC% may also be measured with a hand-held Sticky Pad Reader (SPR). Sticky pads can be mounted on flat or cylindrical surfaces to measure dust by deposition or in flux. An alternative method was developed in the 1990s that measured total dust coverage using computer-based scanning. DustScan used a transparent adhesive film wrapped around a vertical cylinder with magnetic north marked. The sticky pad was sealed with another transparent sheet before scanning at 50 dots per inch (dpi). Dust levels were assessed by comparing the grey-scale values of pixels in the exposed area with an unexposed reference area. Insects and other extraneous material could be 'masked out' from the computer analysis. Dust coverage was expressed as percentage absolute area coverage (AAC%). DustScan has subsequently been developed commercially. A limited trial indicated that monitoring periods of 7-14 days were preferred to avoid dust saturation of the sticky pad. A method for calculating EAC% has been developed and shown to have a high degree of correspondence with an SPR. A trial for the Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) made comparisons between DustScan and other dust monitoring methods. Dust nuisance limits based on AAC% and EAC% are proposed.par.

Suggested guidelines for deposited ambient dust

Despite deposited dust being one of the main causes of complaint about air pollution, no international or national (U.K.) standards or guidelines currently exist. Various difficulties in defining nuisance levels for deposited dust have militated against the use of guidelines on anything other than an ad hoc, site-specific basis. However, a need clearly exists for guidelines of wider relevance. A novel method of producing guidelines is proposed for monthly dustfall results based on the background levels normally expected. By adopting the concept of “likelihood of complaint”, already used successfully for rating the impact of noise, the various difficulties inherent in defining dust nuisance standards per se are avoided. Monthly data for British Standard deposit gauges from the Warren Spring Laboratory (U.K.) National Survey of Air Pollution (grit and dust) have been re-analysed by the authors for gauges “sited to catch general deposit”. Where local background data are limited or absent, it is suggested that summary statistics from this analysis of national background data could provide an appropriate basis for the proposed guidelines. Although this method is primarily applicable to British Standard and Frisbee-type deposit gauges, it could be adapted for use with other devices used for monitoring deposited dust.

Nuisance from coarse dust

The correlation between dust exposure and nuisance from dust was investigated by simultaneously performing dust measurements and doing a population survey in a residential area. The correlation between dust measurements and nuisance from dust was highest when using a one-week accumulation time. Dust nuisance proved to be caused mainly by coarse dust particles.

Instrument for recording the dust nuisance emitted by chimneys

A new type of instrument has been designed to measure and record the likelihood of dust emitted from a chimney causing nuisance at ground level. The instrument measures the difference between the optical obscuration produced by a clean glass surface and that produced by the same glass surface when dust collected from a flue duct has settled on it. The method of collection is based on the assumption that vertical surfaces are more important in pollution than horizontal surfaces, and that coarse particles are more likely to cause nuisance than fine particles. Care has been taken in the design to eliminate errors normally associated with optical instruments of this nature, for example those caused by a dirty optical system, ageing photocells and lamps, and mains voltage and temperature fluctuations. The instrument has a novel recording method which enables it to operate over an unusually large range of signal levels. It will facilitate the control of dust emission from industrial chimneys.

Dust nuisance licked by precipitator at leigh's plant

No disponible

Reduction of Chimney Emissions

THE Technical Committee appointed by the Electricity Commissioners in 1930 to consider the methods that should be taken to prevent the emission of soot, ash and grit from the chimneys of electric power stations has now published its report (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 5s.). A sub-committee made a thorough investigation, visiting many foreign stations which have adopted preventive measures. In 46 of the 111 British selected stations no grit extraction plant has yet been installed. The subcommittee regards grading by sieves as unsatisfactory, as it is impossible when the mesh is too small and untrustworthy for larger values. Particles below 20 microns (1 micron is a thousandth part of a millimetre) when discharged into an air stream are sufficiently diffused to avoid creating a nuisance. The only satisfactory way of testing the efficiency of dust extraction plant is to weigh the dust in unit volume of the gases at as high a point in the chimney as practicable. In Germany, where the power stations are generally larger than in Great Britain, electrostatic precipitation together with very high chimneys is favoured. The main conclusions arrived at by the Committee are that dust nuisance is avoidable with new stations, but the application of means for its prevention to all existing stations may not be practicable. There is an urgent need for standardisation of good methods of testing dust extraction plant. For pulverised fuel installations the electrostatic precipitator is the most suitable type to use. Water for dust extraction is not to be commended. The minimum height of chimneys should be at least two and a half times that of the highest point of the generator station buildings. Photographs are given of the filters used for separating ash and grit particles and of plant for multiple-cyclone dust extraction.

The Dust Nuisance: Its Evils and Abatement, by JOHN S. BRODIE, M.Inst.C.E., Borough Engineer, Blackpool (FELLOW)

The Dust Nuisance: Its Evils and Abatement, by JOHN S. BRODIE, M.Inst.C.E., Borough Engineer, Blackpool (FELLOW)

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF POLIOMYELITIS: The Dust Nuisance--A Plea for the Better Cleansing of Small Towns

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF POLIOMYELITIS: The Dust Nuisance--A Plea for the Better Cleansing of Small Towns

Inaccuracy of Vital Statistics in the United States — Protection of Infants and Children — Life Insurance and Preventive Medicine — Report and Recommendations of the Massachusetts Milk Committee — The Future of Human Lactation — Isolation of Diphtheria Carriers in Chicago — The Dust Nuisance in the Street and the House — Medical Notes

Editorial from The New England Journal of Medicine — Inaccuracy of Vital Statistics in the United States — Protection of Infants and Children — Life Insurance and Preventive Medicine — Report and Recommendations of the Massachusetts Milk Committee — The Future of Human Lactation — Isolation of Diphtheria Carriers in Chicago — The Dust Nuisance in the Street and the House — Medical Notes