**About this resource:**

> EPA is providing this resource solely for informational purposes. The
> agency can not attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or
> usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or
> reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

**Document Name:**

> MHD Construction Dust Control -- Section 721.561

**Organization/Agency Responsible:**

> Massachusetts Highway Department

**Contact:** Trygve Swift

> Environmental Scientist
>
> Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
>
> Central Artery/Tunnel Project
>
> (617) 342-1357

**Description:** Central Artery Project (Big Dig)

> This project reconstructs the central artery and extension of the
> Massachusetts Turnpike and is expected to be completed in the spring
> of 2007. All pieces of construction equipment must have a diesel
> oxidation catalyst (DOC) and cannot idle in excess of five minutes.

**SECTION 721.561**

**CONSTRUCTION DUST CONTROL**

**DESCRIPTION**

**1.01 GENERAL**

A. This Section specifies requirements for controlling dust generated
during Work of this Contract. It supplements the air pollution control
requirements of Division I, Subsection 7.01B.

B. The Contractor is responsible for control of dust at all times during
Work of this Contract, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including
nonworking hours, weekends, and holidays.

**1.02 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS**

A. The Contractor shall perform all Work specified under this Section in
compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection, Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 310 CMR 7.00, \"Air
Pollution Control Regulations\", specifically 310 CMR 7.09, \"Dust,
Odor, Construction and Demolition\".

B. Work of this Contract shall be conducted in a manner that will not
result in excessive particulate matter emissions, nuisance dust
conditions, or PM~10~ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter
less than or equal to 10 microns) concentrations exceeding the
Massachusetts and National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 150 μg/m^3^
on 24-hour average basis.

**1.03 SUBMITTALS**

A. Make submittals as required by Division I Subsection 5.02 and 6.01.

B. Submit product literature and Material Safety Data Sheets for dust
suppression wetting agents and stabilizers.

C. Submit a dust control plan that outlines in detail the measures to be
implemented by the Contractor to comply with this Section, including
suppression, wind screens and barriers, prevention, cleanup, and other
measures.

> D. Submit a plan for seeding to control dust. The plan shall include
> University of Massachusetts (Amherst MA, Soil Test Lab) soil test
> results (including soluble salts and organic content) and
> recommendations, seed species, and quantity of each seed species to be
> used.

**MATERIALS**

**2.01 DUST SUPPRESSION AGENTS**

A. Dust suppression wetting agents shall be water soluble, non-toxic,
non-reactive, non-volatile, and non-foaming.

B. Soil stabilizer shall be a sprayable organic or inorganic tackifier.

**2.02 BARRIERS, SCREENS, AND COVERS**

A. Wind screens shall be a durable fabric mesh of 50 percent porosity,
attached to construction fence.

B. Wind barriers shall be solid wood fences, solid durable fabric
attached to construction fence, or other solid barriers intended to
block the passage of wind.

C. The construction fence itself (chain link or solid) is not part of
the Work of this Section.

D. Covers for stockpiles shall be plastic tarps. Contaminated soil
covers shall comply with Section 120.080.

**2.03 SEEDING**

A. Seeding for dust control shall conform to Section 765 and the
additional requirements of this Section. The Contractor shall conduct
soil tests to determine the materials and methods necessary for the
Contractor to satisfactorily produce a stand of grass that will
effectively control dust. The Contractor shall submit a plan as
specified under Submittals.

**CONSTRUCTION METHODS**

**3.01 CONSTRUCTION SITE DUST CONTROL - GENERAL**

A. Wet suppression shall be used to provide temporary control of dust.
Several applications per day may be necessary to control dust depending
upon meteorological conditions and work activity. The Contractor shall
apply wet suppression on a routine basis as necessary or directed by the
Engineer, to control dust.

1\. Wet suppression consists of the application of water or a wetting
agent in solution with water. Ensure wetting agent is not used on
plantable soils.

2\. Wet suppression equipment shall consist of sprinkler pipelines,
tanks, tank trucks, or other devices capable of providing regulated
flow, uniform spray, and positive shut-off.

B. Calcium chloride shall be used to control dust instead of wet
suppression when freezing conditions exist. Calcium chloride shall be
uniformly applied by a mechanical spreader at 1 1/2 pounds per square
yard, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. Ensure vegetation, or
soil to be used for vegetation, is not treated.

C. The use of petroleum products for dust suppression is prohibited in
this Contract.

D. Provide wind screens and wind barriers in locations where they would
be effective in minimizing wind erosion and spread of dust. Locations
shall be submitted as part of the Contractor\'s dust control plan. The
Contractor shall keep wind screens and barriers in good repair for the
life of the Contract.

E. Seeding used to prevent wind erosion shall be in accordance with
Section 765 and the additional requirements of this Section. During
seeding, furnish to the Engineer all container labels, or empty
containers, from all materials used. Do not seed without direction of
the Engineer.

**3.02 PUBLIC ROADWAY DUST CONTROL**

A. Vehicles leaving the construction site shall have no mud and dirt on
the vehicle body or wheels. Temporary wheel-wash stations shall be
provided and water from wheel-wash stations shall be controlled per
Section 140.141.

B. Haul truck cargo areas shall be securely covered during material
transport on public roadways.

C. Vehicle mud and dirt carryout, material spills, and soil wash-out
onto public roadways and walkways and other paved areas shall be cleaned
up immediately.

D. The Contractor is responsible for daily clean-up of public roadways
and walkways affected by Work of this Contract. A wet spray power vacuum
street sweeper shall be used on paved roadways. Dry power sweeping is
prohibited.

**3.03 CONTROL OF EARTHWORK DUST**

A. During batch drop operations (i.e., earthwork with front-end loader,
clamshell bucket, or backhoe) the free drop height of excavated or
aggregate material shall be reduced as practical to minimize the
generation of dust.

B. To prevent spills during transport, freeboard space shall be
maintained between the material load and the top of the truck cargo bed
rail.

**3.04 CONTROL OF STOCKPILE DUST**

A. The Contractor shall use the following methods to control dust and
wind erosion of active and inactive stockpiles:

1\. Wet suppression without wetting agent during active stockpile
load-in, load-out, and maintenance activities. Salty or brackish water
shall not be used on soils to be planted.

2\. Soil stabilizers applied to the surface of inactive stockpiles.

3\. Plastic tarps on stockpiles, secured with sandbags or an equivalent
method to prevent the cover from being dislodged by the wind. The
Contractor shall repair or replace covers whenever damaged or dislodged,
at no additional cost to the Department.

4\. Seeding of inactive stockpiles.

B. The methods to be used shall be submitted to the Engineer as part of
the dust control plan and plan for seeding specified under Submittals.

**3.05 DEMOLITION DUST CONTROL MEASURES**

A. Closed chutes shall be used for the handling of debris as provided by
Section 112. Dropping or throwing of debris is prohibited.

B. Debris shall not be stockpiled. Debris shall be removed promptly from
the site.

C. During transport of debris, the truck cargo area shall be securely
covered.

D. Removal of asbestos-containing material shall be in accordance with
Section 722.810.

**COMPENSATION**

**4.01 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT**

A. Calcium chloride and soil stabilizer will be measured by the
respective weight of each material applied.

B. Water will be measured by the volume applied, determined by use of
tanks of known capacity or by satisfactorily installed meters. All
measuring devices shall be furnished by the Contractor.

C. Wetting agents will be measured by weight of wetting agent added to
the water to form a solution in accordance with the manufacturer\'s
recommendations.

D. Street sweeping by wet spray power vacuum street sweeper will be
measured by time spent sweeping.

E. Wind screens, barriers, and covers will be measured by area of
material installed.

F. Seeding will be measured as specified in Section 765.

G. All other dust control measures specified in this Section will be
considered incidental to the Work and will not be measured or paid for
separately.

**4.02 BASIS OF PAYMENT**

A. Calcium chloride and soil stabilizer will be paid for at the
respective Contract unit price per pound.

B. Water will be paid for at the Contract unit price per M gallons (1000
gallons).

(Item 443 will apply to water for stockpile as well as roadway dust
control.)

C. Wetting agents will be paid for at the respective Contract unit
prices per pound.

D. Street sweeping by wet spray power vacuum street sweeper will be paid
for at the Contract unit price per hour.

E. Wind screens, barriers, and covers will be paid for at the respective
Contract unit prices per square yard.

1\. Construction fences will not be paid for under this Section, but are
part of the Work of Section 644.010, 850.005, or other Section as
applicable.

2\. Covers for contaminated stockpiles will not be paid for under this
Section but are part of the Work of Section 120.080.

F. Seeding will be paid for as specified in Section 765. Seeding
includes all necessary related soil testing, seeds, application water,
hydrofiber, tackifier, lime, fertilizer, erosion blankets or netting and
hay mulch, irrigation, and mowing.

**4.03 PAYMENT ITEMS**

440\. Calcium Chloride for Dust Control Pound

442\. Street Sweeping Hour

443\. Water for Roadway Dust Control M Gallons

440.101 Wetting Agents for Dust Control Pound

440.103 Soil Stabilizer for Dust Control Pound

444.101 Wind Screen Square Yard

444.102 Wind Barrier Square Yard

444.111 Temporary Stockpile Cover Square Yard

765.44 Seeding for Dust Control Square Yard