Most traditional methods of reducing dust, like water and chlorides, only work for a short period of time. Water evaporates. And chlorides don’t bind to the dust particles, so are easily dislodged.
At Midwest, we prefer a longer-term approach. Enduring, successful dust control for gravel roads requires an approach that “glues” the dust particles together, keeping them in place. This saves you maintenance costs by accomplishing the following:
- Larger aggregate will stay locked in place. Studies have shown that up to one ton of aggregate is lost per year for every car that passes over a road daily. That can add up to a lot of gravel you have to replace!
- Loose aggregate leads to issues such as washboarding, which makes maintenance very difficult and expensive.
- Finally, stronger, longer-lasting roads means less blade maintenance, which translates to significant savings in equipment expense and labor.
For municipal governments, better dust control for gravel roads will also create better community relations (and might even save lives). Improved visibility protects drivers while improved air quality creates a better quality of life for anyone who lives or walks near the roads.
For private enterprises, proper dust suppression protects equipment from excess wear and workers from respiratory health issues. It also protects agricultural products from contamination.