The amount of time it takes for construction dust to settle depends on various factors, including the amount of dust produced, the ventilation system, and the humidity levels in the environment. In general, construction dust can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to settle completely. The larger and heavier dust particles tend to settle more quickly, while the smaller and lighter particles may remain in the air for longer periods. According to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the half-life of airborne dust particles (the time it takes for half of the airborne particles to settle) ranges from less than a minute for particles smaller than 0.5 microns to several days for particles larger than 10 microns. Factors that can affect the settling time of construction dust include the amount of dust produced during construction, the ventilation system used during construction, and the level of activity in the area. For example, if there is ongoing construction work, it can cause dust to remain in the air for longer periods. In general, it is recommended to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after construction work is completed before attempting to clean up any settled dust to ensure that it has had enough time to settle. It’s important to use proper personal protective equipment and cleaning techniques to avoid inhaling or dispersing the dust during cleanup.