Dust is tiny particles of solid matter that have become airborne. Dust can come from natural events such as wind or bushfires and human activities such as agriculture or construction. What dust contains depends on where it came from. For example, dust can be a mix of soil, sand, ash, insects and pollen, but it can also contain chemicals, plastics, and metals (DWER, 2011). Dust is considered air pollution and can pose a risk to human health (EPA Victoria, 2021) and the environment. Dust impacts are determined by particle size, what it contains, and the amount (DWER, 2011).
Human health impacts are typically linked to dust particle size less than PM10. PM10 (particles smaller less than 10 micrometres in diameter) are small enough to enter the throat, nose and lungs (EPA Victoria, 2021), and PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) are small enough to enter the bloodstream (NSW Health, 2020). Environmental impacts can include reduced photosynthesis when dust land on vegetation, poor visibility, pollution of soil and water, and altered soils (Dustcontrol COM, 2023).
Active dust management and suppression are requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Dust suppression practices occur in many different forms, with the appropriate solution dependent on the site where dust occurs. This Insight will outline some key dust suppression techniques that have been found to work in cleared locations, with each technique covering a range of possible methods of soil retention (such as water spraying or hydromulching) and suitable for different wind intensities (including erosion blankets and vegetation barriers).
Water & Chemical Based Techniques
A very common form of dust suppression (with many slight variations) involves spraying water onto cleared soil / sand / tailings surfaces, which serves to weigh the the fine particles down, inhibiting the wind from lifting the fine particle up into the air (Spraygrass Australia, 2022). The methodology for applying water can vary depending on the volume and area required and can range from misting/ sprinkler systems (Figure 1), to tractors and bowsers that can move along service roads and spray water onto surfaces as they pass. This method is generally inexpensive and easy to apply, and water is available at most locations.
Source: John Visser, Rio Tinto
Provided by: (DISR, 2009).
However, water is not a free resource, and the application of water-based dust suppression often requires large amounts of water and frequent reapplication. For example, the tractor method previously mentioned requires around 3.7 litres of water per square metre to be effective (Spraygrass Australia, 2022). Consequently, water usage in dust suppression must balance the practical application of water and the issue of over-application which can cause other issue.
Additionally, water used for dust suppression in hot and arid climates evaporates at a higher rate and requires more frequent re-application, constituting the greater usage of a finite resource. Additionally, the consistent spraying on surfaces without a binding agent / material can lead to erosion and can damage the roads by forming potholes (Dust-A-Side Australia, 2025).
A variation of the water dust suppression method is chemical dust suppression. This comprises the application of chemicals such as Chloride Salts and Lignin Derivatives mixed with water or applied separately. The choice of chemical suppressant is dependent on the different variables and environments to combat dust (Erizon, 2024). For example, asphalt emulsions do not require any water to remain effective but cause leaching and require special personnel to manage the application; while Lignin Derivatives have no environmental impacts but can make surfaces slippery in wet conditions and shouldn’t be used on ramps or declines (Wet Earth, 2015). Where direct water spraying is limited by the constant need to reapply and ineffectiveness in dryer climates, chemicals such as specific polymers and surfactants are built for long-term usage, so there is a reduced need for water usage in a high-volume (Raw Earth Environmental, 2024).
While quite effective in many cases, chemical dust suppression can have adverse effects depending on the product used and the management after application. For example, chlorine-based dust suppressants are corrosive and eventually damage vehicles, while some salt-based chemicals could enter waterways and potentially impact the environment (Dustquip, 2024). However, the majority of commercially available chemical dust suppressants are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable (Dust-A-Side, 2025).
Hydroseeding & Hydromulching
Hydroseeding & hydromulching involve producing a layer of substrate on top of the cleared area to not only protect soil from going airborne but also facilitate future vegetation development (Spraygrass Australia, 2017). The Hydroseeding method comprises spraying a seed and water mix onto a cleared surface, with the idea that the seeds will eventually colonise the area and create a cover, while Hydromulching includes the addition of fibre-mulch to the seed mixture, which provides a dust-retaining blanket (Figure 2) and holds moisture, allowing for a quicker germination period and plant growth (Erizon, 2019).
Source: Dura-Veg at Black Diamond
Provided by: (DEMIRS, 2017).
Hydroseeding is a versatile technique that can be applied to many different landscapes with difficult accessibility, such as steep hillsides, as it also offers erosion control (Hydroseeding Australia, 2023). When applying both Hydromulching and vegetation to bare areas, the application of Hydromulching keeps the soil intact, with the root systems giving structure and the mulch coverage protecting soil surfaces (Spraygrass Australia, 2017).
It should be noted that Hydroseeding requires consistent watering and maintenance until germination occurs, after which the plant/vegetation cover needs time to grow before it can suppress dust formation. In contrast, Hydromulching applies an organic layer over the soil, which retains much of the water from the initial application and can prevent wind erosion of the soil under the mulch layer (Spraygrass Australia, 2017).
Dust Barrier Techniques
An alternative method of dust control includes managing the wind speed and flow over the area to reduce dust emissions. Windbreaks are natural and man-made structures (Figure 3) that disrupt the flow and intensity of wind, thereby reducing the dust. The most common are windbreak panels and walls, which are man-made structures that, when installed, will inhibit the chances of fine particles from becoming airborne and regulate airflow within open areas (Boegger Industech Limited, 2014).
Source: John Visser, Rio Tinto
Provided by: (DISR, 2009).
Erosion blankets are another method, comprising biodegradable mats that are used to cover cleared area to avoid wind erosion. They are quite effective in dryer climates, and can provide nutrients as the blanket degrades, stimulating healthy plant development (Erizon, 2022).
Vegetation barriers can also help to capture dust and cover cleared areas to protect them from wind and bind them together (Aussie Environmental, 2020). Vegetation barriers, such as shrubs, bushlands, and tree lines, are natural barrier systems and are versatile as they can be used in rural or urban environments and provide long-term suppression with other benefits such as biodiversity and greater outstanding air quality (Raw Earth Environmental, 2024). Vegetation barriers require plant growth in a cleared location, so they are ineffective in the short term; however, when used in conjunction with another technique, they can allow for a quick germination period and long-term soil protection.
Measuring Dust Suppression
Monitoring and measuring dust pollution and the effectiveness of management techniques is important, to gauge whether a technique is truly effective or whether you need to change to a more suitable system; but also to ensure that dust pollution remains compliant with the law (Trolex, 2025). Dust measuring materials include a dust fall deposition gauge, which is a simple system used to calculate dust fall rate, and sampling is recommended to occur over one month or more to capture a large enough quantity for analysis (Queensland Government, 2024). PM10 particles can also be monitored using a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TOEM), which uses a filter to measure the mass accumulating dust data in real-time; and for smaller particles, a BGI low–volume sampler, which provides PM2.5 mass concentrations after 24 hours (NSW Government, 2025).
Conclusion
Dust pollution is influenced by multiple variables, including wind speed, wind shear and surface material size and roughness; and identifying challenges for dust suppression should happen before deciding on mitigation techniques.
It is important to note that most of the highlighted techniques can be used with other mechanisms to help mitigate the various drawbacks of each system. For example, vegetation barriers are ineffective in the short term because they require germination and growth to suppress dust particles, however, when used with biodegradable mats, there is both a short and long-term solution to dust pollution.
Should you or your organisation wish to inquire about a dust management system or the appropriate techniques for your situation, Integrate Sustainability is available for assistance. Please email us at enquiries@integratesustainability.co.au or call us at 08 9468 0338.
References
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