Dust and particulates
To manufacture 1 tonne of Portland cement, about 1.5 to 1.7
tonne of raw materials, 0.1 tonne coal and 1 tonne clinker
(minus other main constituents and sulfate agents) must be ground
to dust fineness during production. In this process, the steps of
raw material preparatory processing, fuel preparation, clinker
burning and cement grinding constitute major emission sources for
particulate components. While particulate emissions of up to
3,000mg/m3 were measured at the stack of cement rotary
kiln plants as recently as in the 1950s, these can be limited to
30mg/m3 today.
By its nature, quarrying also has the potential to create
dust. The control measures in place should prevent this reaching
levels that will cause harm. Amongst the many measures that are
taken include:
- Drill rigs fitted with appropriate and well maintained dust extraction equipment.
- Hand drilling dust can also be controlled using dust collection equipment.
- Mobile plant cabs are fitted with filters appropriate to the risk created by the dust.
- Regular maintenance of the systems is essential and cabs are cleaned regularly with vacuum systems.