A common concern of those working or living near industrial areas is fugitive dust—particulates in the air produced by strong winds or large equipment used in mining operations and heavy construction, including vehicle traffic on unpaved roadways. When particles smaller than 10 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter escape into the air, they have the potential to damage human health and the environment, especially in arid regions.

This past year, MRIGlobal launched the international Center for the Study of Open Source Emissions (CSOSE), a voluntary consensus organization that serves as a catalyst for technical collaboration. The Center’s scientists study the relationship between climate change and fugitive dust, and devise ways to control dust storms and to determine the emission factors for heavy equipment including haul trucks in open pit mines.

With more than 40 years experience in the development of sampling and analysis methods, MRIGlobal has delivered assessments of how aerosols are generated, transported through the atmosphere, dependent on surface moisture and silt, and meteorological conditions. MRIGlobal also has developed protocols for dust monitoring, sampling, and analysis; devised methods for field testing of dust sources; and conducted emission and dispersion modeling.

One recent project in this field involved studying emissions from two Brazilian industrial facilities in order to evaluate the environmental control systems already in place. Another project in Brazil evaluated the performance of large wind fences used to control windblown dust at port facilities.