Dust is a price many of us pay to live in the country. Some 70% of U.S.
roads are unpaved, and the EPA says about 40% of dust particles come
from these unpaved roads right in front of our homes.
All gravel roads give off dust. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that
one vehicle traveling one mile each day down an unpaved country road
will generate nearly a ton of dust over the course of a year. Multiply
that by the number of vehicles that pass over the dirt road each day and
you'll get an idea of the tremendous amount of dust that enters the
atmosphere. This dust will travel up to 500 feet before it finally
settles down.
The resulting problems are more than just a nuisance. Driving on dusty
roads offers poor visibility, and thus a greater risk of accidents.
Dust particles from nearby roads can also creep into adjacent homes
where it can cause breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis and
coughing spells. Animals kept close to the road are also vulnerable.
If dust is a problem on the road in front of your farmstead, here are
some ideas to help control the problem.
Plant a windbreak to block the movement of dust. Driving habits also
make a difference. Keep vehicles in the driving lanes and off the road
shoulders where dust tends to accumulate. Driving slowly, less than 15
mph, reduces the amount of dust kicked up by vehicles.
Spreading water over unpaved roads tames dust but results are only
temporary. In years past, it was common to spread used engine oil to
hold down dust, but this threatens the environment and is now illegal.
Keep in mind that anything sprayed on a road surface can enter water
supplies through wind or water erosion.
Today, chloride salts are among the most widely used dust suppressants.
They work by pulling water from the atmosphere and binding it to road
dirt. Calcium and magnesium chloride are the most popular. Sodium
chloride, or table salt, is less effective. Chloride salts are corrosive
to metals and can also result in slippery coatings on the road surface.
After initial application, a follow-up treatment at a lower rate is
usually needed to ensure long-term dust control.
Lignin sulfonate, more commonly called tree sap, is a by-product of
pulpwood processing and is another widely used dust suppressant. This
biodegradable product is used in many commercial dust suppressants
because it acts as a binder to seal road surfaces and tends to work best
when incorporated into gravel on the road surface.
The soybean industry offers soy soapstock, a by-product of soybean oil
extraction. One application should provide three to four months of dust
control. This noncorrosive and environmentally friendly solution works
by penetrating road surfaces and bonding the gravel together.
It's best for neighbors to work together and with local road
departments. The payoffs include safer roads, cleaner homes and fresh
air. Also, road surfaces kept free of dust require less frequent blade
maintenance by motor graders. That's a savings to taxpayers.
The ultimate solution? Pave the dirt roads. As much as elected officials
would like to do so, they also know that paving every dirt road would
cost a fortune and likely bankrupt the local government. If paving is
the solution for your dirt road, it helps if you are on good terms with
your county commissioners.