Dust Assessments

Emissions of dust and fine particles (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) from construction sites, minerals facilities and other processes have the potential to cause a nuisance, or impact the health of neighbours. The potential risk of a significant effect is determined through a dust assessment, or dust risk assessment.

Greenavon has a wide range of experience in dust assessments, including the provision of:

• Construction Dust Risk Assessments for major and minor development
• Minerals Dust Risk Assessments
• Dust Management Plans (DMP)
• Input into Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP)
• Dust Monitoring
• Source Apportionment of Dust Sources

Dust Risk Assessments

All dust risk assessments are based on the source-pathway-receptor conceptual model. This model sets out that the overall risk of effects is a function of the quantity of dust produced, how easily it can reach a location, and the sensitivity of that location.

All our air quality dust risk assessments are undertaken in line with relevant guidance documents, including:

• Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) guidance on the Assessment of Dust from Demolition and Construction (2023).
• the Greater London Authority’s guidance on the Control of Dust and Emissions during Construction and Demolition.
• The IAQM’s Guidance on the Assessment of Mineral Dust Impacts for Planning.

Air Quality Dust Risk Assessments can form part of air quality assessments and dust management plans, or they can be provided as standalone documents, depending on your requirements.

Construction Dust Risk Assessment

There are several construction activities that can cause emissions of dust, including demolition, on-site crushing of material, and the storage of materials.  The ability of dusts to impact sensitive neighbours is controlled by distance and other factors including wind direction. IAQM guidance outlines that at distances greater than 250m from construction sites, that the effects of dust can be classified as insignificant. Whilst ecological receptors must also be considered in dust risk assessments, they are generally less sensitive and effects can be screened out after just 50m.

Dust Management Plans

Dust management plans (DMPs) are often included as part of a construction environmental management plan (CEMP). These DMPs set out exactly how dust will be managed onsite, including information on who is responsible for dust on site,  monitoring arrangements and the steps that should be taken should high levels of dust be detected.

Dust and particles can be monitored visually during site walkovers, through the use of depositional gauges, directional monitors, and continuous real-time monitors. When using real time monitors, alerts can be set up to notify the contractor when a particular ‘trigger value’ or ‘action value’ is exceeded.Further information can be found on our dedicated web page for construction monitoring.

In London, emissions from construction account for around 30% of PM₁₀ concentrations, and up to 8% of PM_2.5 concentrations. Recent research has demonstrated that these fine particulates cause thousands of deaths across the UK each year, illustrating the importance of these plans.

Need a Dust Risk Assessment?

Greenavon has significant expertise in providing dust management plans to meet the requirements of local authorities, for planning applications. For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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