Field Evaluation of the Dust Impacts from Construction Sites on Surrounding Areas: A City Case Study in China

Abstract

Construction activities generate a large amount of dust and cause significant impacts on air quality of surrounding areas. Thus, revealing the characteristics of construction dust is crucial for finding the way of reducing its effects. To fully uncover the characteristics of construction dust affecting surrounding areas, this study selected seven representative construction sites in Qingyuan city, China as empirical cases for field evaluation. In the experiment, the up-downwind method was adopted to monitor and collect TSP (total suspended particulate), PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤10 µm and 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter, respectively) concentrations, meteorological data and construction activities of each site for 2 to 3 days and 18 h in a day. The results show that the average daily construction site makes the surrounding areas’ concentration of TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 increase by 42.24%, 19.76% and 16.27%, respectively. The proportion of TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 in building construction dust is 1, 0.239 and 0.116, respectively. The large diameter particulate matter was the major constituent and the distance of its influence was limited. In addition, construction vehicles were one of the main influencing factors for building construction dust. However, building construction dust was not significantly correlated with any single meteorological factor when it did not change too much. Findings of this research can provide a valuable basis for reducing the impact of building construction dust on surrounding areas.

Analysis of PM2.5, PM10, and Total Suspended Particle Exposure in the Tema Metropolitan Area of Ghana

“…[4] made a similar observation for the Sichuan Basin in China. Low and stagnant atmospheric conditions highly impair the transportation and dispersion capacity of ambient air pollutants like PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and TSP [27].…”

“…Atmosphere 2021, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 16 may not sufficiently reflect the pollution on the surrounding area outside the construction borders. The consideration of four ( 4) locations in the current study is therefore an advancement on the work [27].…”

“…The study aims at selecting locations and periods showing significantly high concentrations of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and TSP. In a similar work by [27], only one location was selected and monitored which may not sufficiently reflect the pollution on the surrounding area outside the construction borders.…”

“…The consideration of four (4) locations in the current study is therefore an advancement on the work [27].…”

Literature Review: Health Impact of Coal Combustion Emissions in Power Plant on Adult Respiratory Systems

“…Various studies have proven the relationship between airborne particulate meters in ambient air to various problems that are detrimental to health conditions, including respiratory health (39)(40)(41). There was a strong correlation between the health effects and the change in aerodynamic diameter size from PM 10 to PM 2.5 (41)(42)(43). Tissue damage occured due to exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 for a long time.…”