Street dust season has begun in the metropolitan area
Street dust reduces air quality in different parts of the metropolitan area. Street dust is especially a spring nuisance for asthmatics and heart disease patients, but street dust can cause irritation to anyone, including healthy adults. HSY gives 10 tips to alleviate the problem of street dust.
Street dust is in the air
Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) monitors the air quality and street dust situation in different parts of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. In recent days, the sun has been melting snow efficiently. When the roads dry up, street dust can be lifted into the air with traffic and wind.
- According to our measurements, the street dust season has begun in the metropolitan area. Street dust is in the air today, especially along busy main roads and streets. Already last week there were dusty days and poor air quality, says Hanna Manninen, head of HSY's air protection unit.
It is difficult to predict the dustiness of the coming days and weeks as it depends on the weather. On sunny and dry days, street dust is abundant in the air. Melting waters and rain, in turn, moisten the road surfaces, reducing dustiness.
Dust is most prevalent in high-traffic areas
Street dust is mainly finely ground asphalt and sanding material. Studded tires, in particular, wear the asphalt and thus produce street dust.
- It is dustiest in areas where there is a lot of traffic. However, there is no need to avoid outdoor activities due to street dust. Already one block from the crowded street, the air is cleaner, Manninen says.
Those particularly sensitive to street dust are asthmatics, young children, the elderly, as well as those with respiratory and heart diseases. Street dust often exacerbates the symptoms of heart and respiratory disease. Street dust causes also in healthy people irritation symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, and itchy eyes and throat.
- The difficulty of the spring street dust season is difficult to predict. Weather conditions have a significant impact on how much dust is emitted into the air. This winter, a lot of sanding has been necessary to combat slippery conditions, which has increased the formation of street dust, Manninen says.
If spring is particularly dry, the street dust season can become troublesome. Cleaning of streets and roads can be started properly when there are no more hard night frosts. Before the actual cleaning of the streets, dusting is reduced by watering the street surfaces with a dilute solution of calcium chloride. It keeps the surface moist and prevents dust from rising into the air.
10 tips for the street dust season
Manninen gives ten tips on how to prevent the formation of street dust or reduce the inhalation of street dust:
1. Avoid unnecessary driving. Prefer walking, cycling and public transport.
2. If you are driving, use friction tires as winter tires. They produce less dust than studded tires.
3. Be sure to follow the vehicle transfer prompt signs. Street cleaning is significantly slowed down if improperly parked cars have to be moved.
4. On dusty days, avoid busy areas if you can. A respirator mask can also help, but it is not suitable for everyone.
5. Choose a cleaner route when on the move - already one block from a crowded street, the air is cleaner.
6. Keep your windows closed during dusty times. Take care of the weather strips on the windows and doors.
7. Dry the laundry inside.
8. Get effective supply air filters for your home and keep them in order. Replace filters in spring and autumn.
9. Remove the sanding material when moist.
10. Follow the air quality situation at hsy.fi/en/airquality.
HSY measures the concentrations of street dust at twenty different measuring points in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Follow the amount of street dust in real time at Street dust - HSY
For more information:
- Air quality right now in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area: Air quality - HSY
- Air quality elsewhere in Uusimaa: Air quality Uusimaa - HSY
- Information on street dust and its concentrations: Street dust - HSY
- How to ease your symptoms: Help for street dust symptoms brochure (pdf, niini.fi)