Investigations of gravel road dust minimization by applying different salt solutions

Abstract

Dust on gravel roads is reduced through the application of various dust minimization materials, most frequently calcium chloride. However, global efforts have been intensified to find new effective materials that cause the least damage to the environmental. One of them is Safecote, a new patented product. In 2008 measurements were performed on the gravel road Jusevičiai-Būdvietis-Derviniai, which was treated with calcium chloride. Experiments of particulate matter concentrations in the air, when gravel road pavement was treated with a mixture of calcium chloride and Safecote, were carried out in the summer of the same year. As the findings of the experimental investigation of particulate matter concentrations in the air show, the concentration of particulate matter on the gravel road treated with calcium chloride alone reached, on average, 1.90 mg/m3, while on that treated with the mixture was 0.40 mg/m3.