The characteristics of PM emissions from construction sites during the earthwork and foundation stages: an empirical study evidence

The bulk of the particulate matter (PM) emissions generated during construction projects are significantly released during the earthwork and foundation stages. To reduce and control these emissions, it is necessary to have reliable data on their characteristics. However, construction PM are poorly characterized because their composition depends on several factors (e.g., weather and reduction measures) and various on-site activities whose effects may interact. To address these challenges, a long-term quantitative empirical study using advanced statistical methods was performed on a real construction project during the whole earthwork and foundation stages. The upwind-downwind method was used to collect data on PM emissions throughout the earthwork and foundation construction process, and correlation analysis, paired samples t-test, and partial least squares regression (PLS) were used to analyze TSP, PM(10), and PM(2.5) emissions and their relationships with various influencing factors. The results showed that both earthwork and foundation constructions generate substantial PM emissions because there were differences with statistical significances in the PM levels measured upwind and downwind of the construction site. TSP and PM(10) emissions correlated moderately with humidity and wind speed. However, temperature and atmospheric pressure did not correlate significantly with any of the measured emissions. The main activities responsible for PM emissions during the earthwork and foundation construction stages were hammer piling, waste stacking, and materials transportation. Water spraying was found to effectively reduce TSP and PM(10) emissions, while the use of a fog cannon more effectively reduced PM(2.5) emissions. Construction PM is an important source of atmospheric pollution in cities; the findings presented herein provide cornerstone and knowledge to guide efforts for reducing its impact.