Eco Friendly Dust Control?

[bp fick]

I know this will sound horrific, but when I was a kid, counties used to spray rural country roads with diesel-used motor oil type concoction. Ouch!

Some places used a brine which wasn't much better, if at all, for the environment. Salt flakes and other salt or chlorine type products were/are still in use.

My question is this. What Eco-friendly, safe products work for controlling dust on our long gravel drives, tool shed earthen floors, etc?

Any ideas?

 

[LBrown59]

I know this will sound horrific, but when I was a kid, counties used to spray rural country roads with diesel-used motor oil type concoction. Ouch!

Nowadys there aren't nearly as many miles of gravel roads in Washington County as there used to be.
Most of them have been either paved or blacktopped.
I sure don't miss the oild gravel toads of yesteryear.
What a mess that maid of the paint job on your car and in people homes when it got tracked in on peoples floors.

It controlled the dust but the oil was harder to deal with than the dust was.

 

[Willl]

Dust: Don't Eat It! Control It!

 

[zzvyb6]

I tried out some crushed asphalt on my 800' driveway. Its just an inch or so and spread by the truck when delivered by leaving the tailgate open a bit. Did a great job. End of dust problem and it looks so much more elegant. Also is softer on the dog's paws. No problem in the winter either once the surface freezes over with a coating of ice and snow. I think it was $200 for 5 yards. Each load did about 1/2 the driveway. Everybody agrees that its a superior way to make a driveway. Never hardens up and easy to smooth out with a rake (Needed my rototiller before this).

 

[bp fick]

Neat post. Beet juice, eh? Gonna check into that!

 

[PILOON]

We still have dirt roads around here.
The city uses a wood resin concoction that is applied with a tanker truck using a long pipe wider than the truck full of nozzels that spray a good even coat.
Lasts for most of the summer season.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I like what they use on the interstates. They pour oil and tar mixture all over the place with small stones mixed in. Then they roll it pretty flat. Don't know if that's better than putting oil on a dirt road or not.

 

[bp fick]

My question is this. What Eco-friendly, safe products work for controlling dust on our long gravel drives, tool shed earthen floors, etc?

Any ideas? Still looking for them.

 

[smitty9266]

CaCL2 or better known as Calcium Chloride Flakes, not Pellets. Spread with a spreader, attracts moisture to stop dust, as a side benefit...kills weeds.
You also will not have to shovel first few snows as they will just melt away!

Drawbacks corrosive must was spreader with soap after application. Must also be careful after application to not wear shoes inside house until it is all melted into rocks, will leave a greasy footprint on carpet if you do!

Here is a article describing different methods of dust control, Dust: Don't Eat It! Control It!

or Road Dust Control Products: Calcium Chloride Dust Control Agents

or Hot Stuff Calcium Chloride Flake

or you can try http://www.semcog.org/uploadedFiles/Programs_and_Projects/Water/Stormwater/Municipal_Training/Streets_and_Parking_Lots/Gravel%20Road%20Parking%20Lot.pdf

I usually have to apply twice a year on my drive here in Mississippi, on the Brother in laws business drive four times a year but he has 20 cars in and out plus 30 to 40 semi trucks a day.

Jeff

 

[bp fick]

Well, I have read the articles via the links provided. Thanks

I also realize that a Calcium Chloride product will certainly do the job, been around awhile and is readily available, but I was kind of hoping someone might know of a slightly more ecologically friendly product. I was hoping that maybe someone had actually tried a beet juice product for dust control. I haven't even been able to find a source for a more generic beet juice at a local supply house.

Whatever one uses, a 100' of dusty driveway, or the gravel floor of a large pole barn is going to take a considerable amount of product. Economically friendly wouldn't hurt either.

Still listening and thinking. Thanks for all your thoughts.