Ecological Dust Control Agents Can Be Based on Lignin Sulfonate

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Fugitive dust particles in the air from traffic and inclement wind conditions affected an unpaved roadbed can present many hazards. Beyond the simple impairment to visibility, it can also cause the roadbed to degrade, causing damage to passing vehicles and potentially adding to maintenance costs.

In the past, some road maintenance entities have turned to dust control agents like magnesium and calcium chloride. Unfortunately, these agents come with their own drawbacks. The mineral content can attract unwanted wildlife to the road, while runoff can pollute the local water table.

Fortunately, EnviRoadĀ® can provide Lignin Sulfonate as an ecological and cost saving alternative to chloride agents for dust control on unpaved roads. Lignin can be shipped in the NW by tanker truck or anywhere in the United States by rail car or totes.

Lignin is a simple organic material created by trees as they grow. It is commonly used as a cellulose fiber bonding agent throughout the paper industry. When it’s applied to an unpaved roadbed, lignin sulfonate is considered non-toxic to the local environment and any latent runoff will not harm the local water table.

The lignin sulfonate provided by EnviRoadĀ® meets specifications set by the U.S. Forest Service Administration, General Service Administration, as well as local and regional government standards. Since it is non-corrosive, our lignin sulfonate can be applied without special safety clothing or equipment.

It also saves time in man hours and closure times. A road treated with lignin sulfonate can be used shortly after application, while chloride-based dust agents need significant time to cure and become absorbed by the unpaved roadbed.

If you are interested in learning more about the ecological and cost-saving benefits of lignin sulfonate for dust control, you can call 1.800.536.2650 to speak to one of the representatives at the EnviRoadĀ® headquarters in Portland Oregon.