Dust Palliative Basics

Dust palliatives are substances that are applied to the surface of a road to help reduce the volume of airborne dust and its negative health effects. These palliatives could be applied as often as every few hours on busy construction sites or as infrequently as every few years at sites that don't get a ton of traffic.

At Ninja De-Icer, we specialize in effective, reliable dust control solutions, from water-absorbing salts to organic and polymer-based suppressants. Here’s everything you need to know about selecting, applying, and maintaining dust palliatives that actually work.

What Are Dust Palliatives?

There are different kinds of dust palliatives that are designed for different use cases. This is a huge business as “fugitive dust” needs to be controlled at various industrial and construction sites across the country to keep workers safe. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when a dust cloud is created and there aren't dust palliatives around, those potentially damaging fumes circulate into the air and can cause health issues. 

The most commonly utilized dust palliatives include lignin sulfonate and magnesium chloride. Lignins act like glue in dust control and surface stabilization and it's derived from the lignin that naturally binds cellulose fibers together to give firmness to plants and trees. Magnesium chloride is a naturally biodegradable salt that helps to control dust on a variety of road types. 

How Do Dust Palliatives Work?

Dust palliatives work in two fundamental ways:

• Moisture retention: Increase moisture content to keep particles from becoming airborne.
  
• Particle binding: Create bonds between dust particles (or between fine and larger particles) to stabilize the surface.
  

Let’s look at how each mechanism works and the types of palliatives that fall under each.

Moisture-Based Dust Control

When there's moisture on the surface of a dirt road, it causes the particles to stick together. This moisture content can be increased by spreading water or applying salts that attract water.

Water

Simple and cost-effective, water is often used as a temporary solution, especially for short-term construction activities. However, it evaporates quickly and requires frequent reapplication, so water is not a long-term dust control solution.

Water Absorbing Products

Applying deliquescent salts to the surface of the road helps to control dust by absorbing water from the air. They remain effective even in cold climates.

Water-absorbing products are broken into three categories: magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride. When soils are treated with these types of salts, they have a higher water content than untreated soils. The rainfall also eventually removes the salt from the roads. 

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Binding-Based Dust Control

Other dust control products work by binding particles in the road together. They work by binding fine particles together or onto larger particles. Chemicals in this group of dust palliatives fall into different groups:

Petroleum Products

These products bind particles by forming a physical barrier, though they may raise environmental concerns and require special handling.

Organic petroleum products include dust oils, asphalt emulsions, cutback asphalt, and modified asphalt emulsions. 

Organic Nonpetroleum Binders

Often biodegradable and less harmful to the environment, these options offer a more eco-conscious approach.

Organic nonpetroleum products include animal fats, vegetable oils, lignosulfonate, tall oil emulsions, and molasses/sugar beet. 

Electrochemical Products

These alter soil chemistry to reduce its ability to release particles into the air. They include ionic products and enzymes that stabilize the surface layer.

Examples of electrochemical products include enzymes, ionic products, and sulfonated oils. 

Synthetic Polymer Products

These polymers create a flexible crust on the road surface and are often favored for long-term applications.

Examples of synthetic polymer products include vinyl acrylic and polyvinyl acetate. 

Clay Additives

Clay-based products improve cohesion in fine-grained soils, enhancing the performance of other dust palliatives.

Clay additive examples include bentonite and montmorillonite. 

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Dust Palliatives

Not all dust palliatives work the same way — their properties can significantly impact performance, application, and environmental safety. When evaluating your options, consider the following factors:

• Solubility and form: Does the palliative dissolve in water? Is it supplied as a liquid or a powder?
  
• Reworkability: After application, can the treated road surface be graded or reshaped without compromising effectiveness?
  
• Application depth: Does the product need to be mixed into the top few inches of the road surface, or can it be applied topically?
  
• Reapplication frequency: How long does the treatment last, and how often will it need to be reapplied under typical conditions?
  
• Corrosiveness: Is the product corrosive to vehicles, machinery, or infrastructure?
  
• Safety precautions: Are there any specific handling or application precautions to protect workers and nearby populations?
  
• Human health risk: Is the palliative safe when applied according to instructions? What are the potential risks if misused?
  
• Environmental impact: As the product degrades or erodes, how might it affect nearby soil, waterways, or ecosystems?

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Pre-Work Preparations 

Make sure to pinpoint construction activities that require the use of dust palliatives. We've outlined some examples of activities that could require dust control below:

• Grading, clearing, and excavation
  
• Unpaved roads and staging areas
  
• Stockpiles
  
• Demolition of concrete 
  
• Soil loading and unloading
  

In the case that a dust suppressant or dust control binder is used, make sure that the contractor submits a dust treatment plan beforehand. You'll want to review this treatment plan for rates and application methods, weather conditions, and drying or curing time. 

Dust Palliative — Selection Tips 

When choosing your dust palliative, you'll likely want to choose the most cost-effective option. But cheapest doesn't mean the most suitable for your case. The most effective solution depends on your site conditions, traffic levels, and environmental considerations.

Key performance factors to look for include:

• Traffic durability: Can the palliative withstand repeated vehicle passes?
  
• Longevity: Does it remain effective over time without frequent reapplication?
  
• Adhesion: Does it bind fine dust particles to each other or to larger particles?
  
• Soil compatibility: Is the product suited to the soil type and surface material?
  

Before selecting a product, consider conducting a soil analysis. Some dust palliatives require a clay component (plasticity index) or a specific amount of fines to successfully bind and/or agglomerate. Some factors that could improve the dust palliative selection include application methods, dust suppressant limitations, and environmental impact. 

Dust Palliative — Application Tips

How well your dust suppressant performs depends on many different application factors including rate, method, frequency, and product concentration. By properly applying the dust palliative of your choice, you help to extend its lifespan while maintaining a higher level of surface.

Here are some best practices to follow:

• Apply after the wet season: Especially for salt-based suppressants, this ensures optimal soil moisture and better product absorption.
  
• Time it after rainfall: Wet surfaces allow for improved mixing and reduced evaporation. If you apply the material before the rain, it could wash away.
  
• Break up hard crusts: If a surface crust forms, loosen it to restore permeability and allow deeper penetration on reapplication.
  
• Follow manufacturer instructions: Respect the recommended rates, curing times, and compaction guidelines before reopening the area to traffic.
  
• Use a pressure distributor: This ensures an even, consistent application across the entire surface.
  
• Monitor moisture levels: If the surface dries out during curing, dampen it (unless using cutback asphalt, which requires different handling).
  
• Track product “residuals”: Measure the remaining active ingredient after water evaporation to ensure proper concentration and lasting results.
  

Are Dust Palliatives Eco-Friendly?

The environmental impacts of dust palliatives should also be considered. The main concern is how dust palliatives could impact the quality of the groundwater, freshwater aquatic environment, and plant community. Always take the necessary precautions to keep the dust palliative material out of roadway ditches and water drainages, as it could end up in a stream. 

Make sure that you are following all local, state, and federal regulations when applying your dust palliatives, as there are discrepancies between locations. Each state also has its standards when it comes to how dust palliatives impact the freshwater aquatic environment, measuring impact by toxicity to fish and oxygen availability levels. 

Dust Palliatives' Advantages: Lignins vs. Salts

When it comes to effective dust control, both lignins and salts offer distinct advantages. Here’s how these two categories of dust palliatives compare:

Advantages of Lignins

Derived from natural plant materials, lignosulfonates act like a glue, binding fine dust particles and stabilizing unpaved surfaces. They are especially useful in areas where environmental safety and ease of application are priorities.

• Non-corrosive: Gentle on vehicles and equipment.
  
• Water-soluble: Easy to mix and apply with standard equipment.
  
• Eco-friendly and non-toxic: Safe for workers and surrounding ecosystems.
  
• Cost-effective: A budget-friendly solution for long-term dust control.
  
• User-friendly: No special handling equipment or protective gear required.
  
• Reworkable: Surfaces treated with lignins can typically be graded or reshaped.
  

Advantages of Salts

Hygroscopic salts are widely used in dust control for their moisture-attracting properties, especially in dry climates.

• Moisture-attracting: Draws water from the air to keep dust particles bound.
  
• Residue-free: Leaves no sticky or visible residue on the road surface.
  
• Environmentally acceptable: Often biodegradable and approved for regulated use.
  
• Odorless and colorless: Ideal for areas where appearance matters.
  
• Cold-weather performance: Effective even in temperatures as low as 5°F.
  

Both lignins and salts are powerful tools in the fight against airborne dust. If you’re unsure which is best for your site, our team at Ninja De-Icer can help you evaluate your needs and choose the most effective solution.

Control Dust with Confidence

Airborne dust from roads can be a serious nuisance — but with the right dust palliative, you can significantly improve air quality and surface stability. Now that you have a better understanding of how these products work, you can make a more informed choice. 

At Ninja De-Icer, we specialize in salt-based, water-absorbing solutions for effective dust control. Browse our catalog to find the best product for your site, and get a quote today.