Most drivers who do not venture beyond the Houston city limits will never encounter an unpaved public roadway. However, they could at construction sites and many industrial facilities, and there are still unpaved private roads and drives in the Houston area. In recent decades, the environmental and health issues presented by concentrations of dust in the air have become increasingly clear. Today, there are state and federal laws that require or encourage dust control measures.
Why Does Dust Control Matter?
You have probably heard of the Dust Bowl, which was originally used to define a geographical area comprised of parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado. Today, the term is typically used to describe the events that occurred during the 1930s. A combination of severe drought and poor farming practices resulted in massive dust storms that could each pick up millions of tons of soil. One single dust storm could destroy a home, bury food sources so deeply that wildlife and farm animals starved, or force entire communities to relocate. There were no companies at the time that could provide effective dust control services. In most cases, each family was unofficially an amateur dust control company, laboring to seal their homes against the dust. Their efforts had only temporary success at best. However, what is often overlooked is the toll that the lack of dust control had on the health of the people in the region. Accurate statistics are unavailable, but modern estimates place the number of people, primarily young children, who died from dust pneumonia at 7,000. As many as 12,000 people who survived their bout of dust pneumonia suffered from life-long respiratory illnesses. It is impossible to estimate how many people lost all or part of their vision from exposure to the abrasive dust particles. Granted, the Dust Bowl provides an extreme example of the dangers posed without effective dust control measures. However, the risks of dust are still present in the modern world, making dust control in Houston essential to protect humans, property, and the environment.What Pavements Need Dust Control Services the Most?
Basically, any unpaved road, parking lot, or construction site can benefit from the services of a Houston dust control company. The most common targets for dust control in Houston are gravel and dirt roads. Construction sites are also frequently in need of dust control services; by their very nature, most construction sites are unpaved, and the use of heavy equipment can generate massive clouds of dust. Transportation hubs and heavy industrial facilities often require Houston dust control measures to remain legally compliant.What Does a Dust Control Company Do?
There are several options available for dust control in Houston. A dust control company must evaluate each site individually before recommending the appropriate action to take. Sometimes, a Houston dust control company will use a combination of methods. Dust control companies may also incorporate other services, including soil stabilization, to help prevent airborne dust.Besides Potentially Endangering Human Health, Does a Lack of Dust Control Pose Other Risks?
Yes, professional dust control companies can help you mitigate or eliminate a number of other potential risks.- You could be fined for violating regulations on air quality. In some cases, a single fine can be more expensive than what dust control companies charge for their services.
- Dust clouds pose potential safety hazards. Drivers traveling down dusty roads can have their vision impaired, increasing the chance of an accident. Dust can also obscure the vision of heavy equipment operators, making it difficult or impossible to see workers on the ground.
- Interestingly, the services of a Houston dust control professional can help you reduce the cost of maintaining your heavy equipment and vehicles. Dust can clog filters and damage engines, requiring you to take additional steps to ensure their functionality.
- A Houston dust control company can help you reduce the cost of maintaining your unpaved areas. Unpaved roads and parking lots can develop massive potholes with surprising speed. A dust control company can stabilize the area to make it more resistant to traffic.
