How To Control Dust In Construction Sites

The Supreme Court recently suggested that construction sites should be charged Rs 50,000 per day for dust pollution. Construction sites in Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) are known for polluting the atmosphere with particulate matter that comes from dust emissions. But, many developers do not even take basic precautionary measures to ensure that water is sprayed in construction sites to ensure that they do not pollute the atmosphere. The Supreme Court Bench also wants to phase out all vehicles which are five years old. This is also a related matter, because in the NCR, private production of electricity using diesel generators are also a major cause of pollution.

Let us face the facts. Many human activities are inherently polluting. The fact that real estate construction is a cause of pollution is not a reason to ban, or even curtail such activities. But, it is important that polluters do everything that is possible to pollute as less as possible within the context of their legitimate goals. Similarly, it is important that violation of legitimate norms should invite punishment. How can real estate developers ensure that they do not pollute the air in the neighbourhood when they engage in construction activities?

*The Supreme Court suggested that developers should be fined because many of them were not even taking fundamental precautionary measures like spraying water. Water sprays prevent dust emissions to a degree, and capture airborne dust. This is not only a cost-effective way of lowering pollution, this is also an efficient way of preventing particulate-matter air pollution. Environmental experts also find this a long-term solution, when done routinely. But, of course, when there is too little moisture, the problem of dust pollution will persist. But, when there is too much moisture, it hinders the construction process by tampering with the integrity of the construction material. Often poor quality water used in dust control contributes to the problem of pollution.

Placing physical barriers in a construction sites have proven to lower dust emissions, especially when the placement of barriers is aligned to current wind currents. 

Controlling traffic in the sites where construction is going on will lower pollution to a great degree, too. This is because vehicles moving back and forth inside or outside the construction site can cause greater dust emission. Better management of earth moving will also lower dust emissions. 

Real estate developers would also benefit from frequently keeping track of weather reports because dust pollution is greater under certain kind of weather, such a dry climate. Developers can also make sure that dust pollution does not escalate when constriction activity is not going on, like on nights or during holidays, or when construction activity is temporarily stopped.