Alaska DEC Rural Dust Survey Preliminary 2010 Results (TPD1105015)

Summary of Survey Results

How is the dust affecting people in rural communities?

Most respondents reported that some residents of their communities are highly affected by dust releases. The most frequently reported community health effects were Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat (72% of responses); Asthma (72% of responses); Coughing (68% of responses); Chronic Bronchitis (56% of responses); Shortness of breath (50% of responses); Emphysema (48% of responses); and Tightness of the Chest (44% of responses).

When are the dusty days?

More dusty days occur in June, July, and August, with averages above 20 days each month. For May, September, and October, 13-19 dusty days each month is typical. The fewest dusty days occur in Winter, an average of 19 dusty days during the six month period from November through April. Different regions of Alaska have slightly different dust seasons. The results match our assumptions about seasons, but they also represent direct information from the people most affected.

What are current conditions in rural Alaska?

Roads:

Most respondents to the survey reported that their communities have gravel roads. Many respondents also reported dirt roads. Most reported roads with shallow grades. The tables below show the kinds of roads found in the respondents’ communities.

Vehicles:

Most respondents report that their communities have a mix of vehicles using their roads. Most common are ATVs and Pickups. On average, 56% of the vehicles using community roads were ATVs. ATVs are far more common than other vehicle types reported. Pickup trucks were less than half as common as ATVs.

Speed:

Nine communities are reported to already control dust, in some locations, by applying and enforcing speed limits. Most respondents (84%) report that their communities are willing to try controlling dust by applying and enforcing speed limits. However, several respondents mentioned that speed limits are not enforceable because the community lacks funding for personnel or lacks a VPSO.

Other concerns

Survey respondents mentioned airstrips, nearby gravel pits, pumice in soil, and honeybucket dumps and waste lagoons as important sources of dust in their communities.

What is now being done for dust control in the communities responding to the survey?

Respondents reported eighteen communities that are using water for occasional dust control. Six communities are reported to have used calcium chloride or another chemical suppressant for dust control.

What equipment and materials do rural communities now have for applying dust suppressants?

(Results represent the communities that responded to the survey.)

*including sea water, wells

Dust control in the future

Are communities willing to try chemical dust palliatives?

Thirty five respondents indicated willingness by their communities to use chemical dust palliatives. Twenty four respondents indicated that their communities are not willing to use chemical dust palliatives.

Before trying chemicals what do respondents want to know?

• Everything (10 responses)
• Effects on human health, toxicity, health of community, contamination (8 responses)
• Effects on environment, including wetlands, contamination, duration (8 responses)
• Effects on both humans and environment (6 responses)

• MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) (3 responses)
• Product data/performance
• Product info, installation costs, maintenance
• Useful life of 1 application
• Product data/performance data/brochures
• Cost, how it works, duration of application
• Cost, where to get
• Effects on vehicles

Before trying chemicals what do respondents want to know?(continued)

• Village meeting to discuss concerns
• Ask community members first

• Hazards, applications
• History of use in Alaska
• Is it safe for pets?
• Long and short term effects
• Side effects

What resources are needed for dust control?

What equipment do respondents say that their communities would require for dust control?

(Results represent the communities that responded to the survey.)

Other equipment listed: Grader, Tote with water, Water hauler, Bobcat, Broom, Loader/Dozer, ATV trailer/tank,4wheeler

What storage do respondents say is available for dust control equipment?

Respondents report that most communities (55) have storage for equipment. Eleven communities have warm storage; forty-four have cold storage. Respondents from eleven communities  reported no available storage.

What names or types of dust control would respondents like to try?

Water or salt water (8 communities), Calcium Chloride (6), EK-35 (3), Durasoil (3), Syntech (extreme dust control), Trailer for palliative totes, Soiltac, E-N-1, End Dust MG Liquid, Envirokleen, Environmentally friendly products, Enviroseal(Organic dust control) (Biodegradable).