0333 006 2524 contact@aval-group.co.uk
Dust impact assessment consultants construction development planning

Dust Survey and Impact Assessment

We carry out dust monitoring surveys and impact assessments for construction, industrial, mineral and waste management sites. Our assessments can be standalone or incorporated within a larger Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

We have an extensive network of continuous dust and PM10 monitors within and outside London for construction dust monitoring. We pride ourselves on providing a quality service with a low-cost monitoring solution for our clients.

Our key dust consultancy services are:

Dust, PM10 and PM2.5 Monitoring Solutions

  • Dust and particulate monitoring for construction site 
  • Passive Dust Monitoring for mineral sites
  • Automatic Dust Monitoring for construction sites (e.g. PM10 construction dust monitoring using MCERT certified monitoring system)
  • Continuous dust, PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring as part of site Environmental Management Plan or Dust Management Plan

Our Services are ISO certified and accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS):

Assessment to support Planning and Environmental Permitting Applications

  • Dust Impact Assessment to support mineral planning applications
  • Dust Impact Assessment for construction dust impact
  • Nuisance Dust Investigation Report

Mineral Dust Assessment

We use low cost depositional and directional passive dust monitoring gauges, where,  dust deposition, i.e. dust falling out of the sky, whilst a directional gauge
measures dust flux, i.e. the horizontal component of wind-blown dust.

Not only does the extraction of mineral create dust, the heavy-duty vehicles used both on and off site can also cause detrimental air quality impacts. These can vary substantially from day to day, depending on the level of activity undertaken on a site and weather conditions in the local area.

Dust Impact Assessments are therefore required in support of planning applications for the mineral sector to ensure the best possible working practices are applied, and any potential impacts are reduced. This requirement is outlined in the National Planning Practice Guidance, which states that a Dust Risk Assessment is required for any mineral project within 1km of a relevant receptor. The Institute of Air Quality Management has therefore issued guidance on how to complete a Minerals Dust Assessment, as well as potential mitigation measures that can be adapted to control adverse effects to an acceptable level.

With a comprehensive understanding of key mineral planning guidance and a wide range of experience dealing with emissions from mineral sites, we are able to give expert advice and provide reports that suit your requirements.

For further information on how we are able to address your specific issues or to request a quote, please call or email to get in touch with one of our team member who would be delighted to assist you.

Our Approach

Dust can be generated by a wide variety of activities, including demolition/construction, minerals extraction and waste management. Construction and mineral sites can give rise to dust generation which can lead to annoyance due to the soiling of surfaces by dust. Emissions of dust to air can occur during demolition, earthwork and construction. A construction dust assessment is usually required during the planning stage to identify the risk of dust nuisance and develop site-specific mitigation measures as part of a Dust Management Plan (DMP).

Dust emissions can also have an effect on vegetation and will need to be considered when dust-generating activities take place close to sensitive habitats. The fine fraction of dust (PM10 and PM2.5) can also travel deep into the lungs and have a detrimental effect on the health of people exposed to it.

We use a range of dust monitor and a typical MCERT certified dust monitor by Aeroqual is shown on the right.