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Dust

Bulldozer kicking up dust [photo].

Dust kicked up by farm vehicles,
building sites or transport can be a nuisance.

Sources of dust

Airborne dust is produced from a wide variety of human activities. These include:

  • wind-blown dust from exposed surfaces such as bare land and construction sites
  • dust caused by vehicle movements along un-sealed roads
  • mines and quarries
  • road works
  • housing developments
  • agriculture and forestry activities.

Large quantities of dust can also be generated from natural sources, such as dry riverbeds, pollen from plants and volcanic eruptions.

Environmental and health effects of dust

Typically, the particles from dusty activities are larger than 10 µm in diameter, but they can still be a nuisance and affect health. Dust can irritate your eyes and make them itchy and watery, and can be a nuisance when it settles on windowsills and washing, making things dirty.

Dust can also affect the health of plants. When dust settles on leaves it affects photosynthesis and the amount that plants grow.

For more information on dust see the guide for assessing and managing the environmental effects of dust emissions published by the Ministry in 2001.

Last updated: 9 January 2008