Dust pollution from construction and building sites is a familiar problem on the Beaches and one that impacts the community and surrounding environment. 

When building sites are in action, dust can easily drift into the air we breathe, settle on our homes and gardens, making life harder for people with asthma or other health conditions. 

While construction is important and somewhat inevitable, everyone needs do their part to keep dust to a minimum.

Tips for builders and trades

• Water spraying or misting on stockpiles, demolition works and dusty surfaces
• Covering or stabilising soil stockpiles and loads on trucks
• Installing dust screens, hoardings, or barriers around site boundaries
• Maintaining sealed access points to minimise dirt being tracked onto roads
• Understand the guidelines for erosion and sediment control on building sites.

Tips for residents 

• Help by reporting excessive dust from building sites
• Avoiding activities like burning green waste
• Plant trees and plants wherever possible and avoid excess removal of vegetation
• Use proper ventilation and personal protective equipment when spray painting 
• Keeping surfaces wet when grinding to suppress dust.

World Environmental Health Day on 26 September is a good reminder that avoiding dust pollution, and exposure to it, is vital to having clean air and living a healthy life.