Dust Dilution
Dust is a very common and easily overlooked environmental pollution problem. Dust is made up of very small particles of dust, dirt, smoke, pollen and other contaminants. In air, dust clouds can reduce visibility, making it hard for us to see anything. When these particles settle on objects, dust begins to accumulate. High levels of dust in a home, office or other environment can cause respiratory problems and other health hazards. It can also irritate the eyes and skin. Dust is an especially serious problem for people who work in confined spaces, such as industrial and agricultural settings, as well as people who suffer from allergies.
Different types of dust originate from different sources. Some types come from outside sources like wind and rain. Other sources include burning of materials, vehicle exhaust and machinery, such as pumps and compressors. In many cases, dust particles are so small that they are invisible to the human eye. This can make it difficult to trace the source of the dust, and it is often necessary to use a variety of analytical methods to identify its origin.
Dust dilution is the process of reducing the amount of dust in an environment by mixing the dust with other particles. This can be achieved by increasing the atmospheric humidity, increasing ventilation, using air conditioning and HEPA filters, and introducing dust suppressing agents.
Humidity levels can be adjusted to reduce the amount of dust in the air, as high levels of humidity reduce the amount of floating dust and help to keep the particles suspended in the air. By increasing the ventilation in an area, the air is replaced on a regular basis, and this, when combined with air conditioning, can help to reduce the amount of dust particles in the air.
HEPA filters are filters which are designed to trap particles which are 0.3 microns and larger in size. HEPA filters are most effective at reducing dust particles and particulate pollutants when they are installed in systems which are designed to operate at a high return and low supply air velocities.
Dust suppressing agents can also be used to help reduce dust levels in the air. Wetting agents are liquids which reduce the amount of dust that is created when particles such as soil, sand and stone are handled. When the material is subjected to friction, the wetting agent binds the particles together and prevents them from becoming airborne.
It is also possible to use dust collectors, which use cyclone, inertial or filtration technology to reduce the quantity of dust in the air. Dust collectors are used mainly in industrial settings where high levels of dust are generated and their use is restricted due to safety considerations.
Dust dilution is an important part of controlling dust levels in the environment and reducing the risks of adverse health effects. By using a variety of different dust control measures, dust levels can be kept to a minimum and the potential health effects of exposure to dust minimized.
