Potential Environmental Impacts of Dust Suppressants: 'Avoiding Another Times Beach'. An Expert Panel Summary, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 30-31, 2002;Symposium paper

摘要

Recognizing that it is important to achieve and maintain clean air, the concern that prompted this report is that application of dust suppressants to improve air quality could potentially have other adverse environmental impacts. Times Beach, Missouri is a classic example where the resolution of dust emissions from unpaved roads leads to the creation of a Superfund site. In 1972 and 1973 waste oil contaminated dioxin was sprayed on unpaved roads and vacant lots for dust control in Times Beach. After realizing the adverse situation that had occurred, the costs to relocate the residents and clean up the site was over 80 million. Much more stringent regulations are now in place to avoid another Times Beach$ however, there is still concern over the use of dust suppressants since most products used as dust suppressants are by-products and their exact composition is unknown. The purpose of this report is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the potential environmental impacts of chemical dust suppressants. Furthermore, the report summarizes the views of an Expert Panel that was convened on May 30-31, 2002 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to probe into the potential environmental issues associated with the use of dust suppressants.