Salt Lake Valley Health Department

Air Pollution Control

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Air Pollution Control

788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 South)
Murray, Utah 84107-6379

(801) 313-6720

Stationary Sources

Be a good neighbor!

Salt Lake Valley Health Department regulates fugitive dust under section R307-309 of the Utah Air Conservation Rules.

Some businesses operate under Approval Orders which include dust control measures. If your operations lead to fugitive dust, consider getting an Approval Order.

Approval Order

All major sources that have the potential to produce fugitive dust must have an
Approval Order from the Division of Air Quality (DAQ). Approval Orders are permits allowing businesses to operate, after necessary control equipment is approved.

What about small sources?

Small sources are generally regulated by Salt Lake County ordinances. These ordinances prohibit fugitive dust from crossing property lines.

Self-Inspection Checklist

The following checklist will help you control dust and do your part in conserving our clean air in Salt Lake County.

1. Prevention

Limit surface area disturbed
Limit work in wind
Apply suppressives
Clean up spills immediately

2. Occasional Use areas

Grow groundcover
Erect windbreaks
Apply crust chemicals

3. Frequent use areas

Pave road
Enclose storage areas
Cover storage piles
Water/sweep often
Reduce speed limits
Minimize trips
Limit area access
Prevent carryout offsite
Use this checklist each day.

Fugitive Dust

Fugitive dust is particulate matter that comes primarily from the soil and floats in our atmosphere. It originates from human activities and wind action. Activities such as construction or demolition, hauling of aggregate materials and mining are examples of causes of fugitive dust.

Why is fugitive dust a problem?
Fugitive dust irritates eyes and nasal tissue and seriously impacts the respiratory system. The tiniest parts of fugitive dust may reach the working surfaces (alveoli) of the lungs and reduce lung capacity.

Fugitive dust also inhibits normal plant growth and development. Dust can reduce visibility and lead to traffic accidents. Health effects may be major if dust is inhaled in large amounts, or contains asbestos fibers, heavy metals or disease spores.

Wind erosion also robs farmer’s fields of valuable top soil.

How can you control fugitive dust?

Many fugitive dust control strategies are inexpensive and effective. Providing a wind breaking barrier, for instance, is a simple way of keeping dust from becoming fugitive.
Other methods include:

Chemical stabilization/watering
Reducing vehicular traffic/speed
Paving and/or cleaning roadways
Covering loads
Cleaning trucks before leaving loading areas
Setting up dust collectors
Mulching
Wetting/watering
“Wetting” is a cost efficient way of preventing fugitive dust

Report Fugitive Dust

For stationary air pollution complaints regarding:

fugitive dust from construction, excavation, and demolition
fugitive emissions from milling, sand blasting, painting operations, or other particulate emission sources
burning of waste and burning wood, coal, or other materials in stoves, fireplaces, or other devices during red alert conditions.

Report suspected violations to (801) 313-6720 and include address or location of the problem, date and times when violation occurs, complainant contact information and facility information.