Climatic Controls on a Municipal Dust Control Study [POSTER]

The City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is working on a stricter dust control ordinance than that currently in place that targets new and existing construction sites. Disturbed soil at construction sites are frequently the cause of enhanced wind erosion containing blowing sand as well as finer particles in the size range of PM10 that have the potential to trigger asthma attacks in some individuals. These soil particles have also shown to carry fungi and bacteria that also potentially contribute to adverse respiratory health effects. This project enhances our knowledge of dust control in an arid environment and provides options for economical dust control solutions for the City and developers.

Three plot sites have been established in the Las Cruces area where each plot consists of a six 30 meters x 15 meter test sections. Using available dust suppressant and management products on the market, the intention is to find the suppressant effectiveness and cost effectiveness of each treatment. The treatments being tested are two organics (pecan mulch and glycerin from a biofuel processing plant), wind barrier fence, chemical suppressants (Top SealÒ and Dirt Glue™). Sand movement is monitored with Big Spring Number Eight sand traps within each test section. We also monitor precipitation, winds, temperature and humidity at each plot to assess wind erosion responses to environmental conditions throughout the study. This poster provides preliminary results of this study over the course of three seasons.