Particulate emissions occur whenever rock and soil are drilled and blasted.
The following calculation procedures are used to estimate particulate emissions from wet drilling and associated blasting operations. SOx are released from the detonation of the explosives used in the blasting. The AP-42 emission factors for explosive's detonation are based on tons of explosives used. A series of meetings was held in 1995 and 1996 between AWR Consultants, the San Diego County Mineral Products Industry, and the District regarding particulate emission estimation techniques applicable to aggregate operations. This policy did not include an agreed upon approach to evaluating emissions from blasting operations.