What Is Polymer Dust Control and How Does It Work?
Dust is a constant pressure point across quarries, civil works, and extractive sites.
It affects visibility, equipment wear, compliance obligations, and the health of people working nearby. Over time, repeated dust lift-off can also compromise stockpiles, tailings areas, and exposed ground, particularly in wind-affected conditions.
At Polo Citrus, we work closely with site teams facing these challenges every day. Our polymer dust control is able to bind loose material, stabilise exposed surfaces, and minimise airborne dust at its source.
Why Dust Lift-Off Is Hard to Control
Dust is not limited to material handling. Wind and dry conditions can lift fine particles long after processing ends. On exposed surfaces, repeated watering often provides short-term relief but leaves sites vulnerable once moisture evaporates.
For operations managing large stockpiles, tailings dams, rail wagons, or uncovered ground, maintaining surface stability without excess water or ongoing labour is a persistent challenge.
What Is Polymer Dust Control?
Polymer dust control uses acrylic polymer binders diluted with water and applied as a polymer spray across exposed surfaces. Once applied, the polymer forms a flexible crust that binds fine particles together and reduces their ability to lift under wind disturbance. This layer acts as a physical shield against wind and some water erosion
Unlike short-duration watering, polymer treatments remain effective over an extended period, depending on site conditions and application method.
At Polo Citrus, our polymer-based solutions include Dust Bind and
Dust Bind Green, both developed for high-risk dust areas across quarry and civil environments.
How Polymer-Based Dust Suppression Works on Site
Polymer dust control follows a straightforward process:
- Dilution and application The polymer concentrate is diluted to suit site conditions and applied using standard spray equipment.
- Surface binding The polymer penetrates the surface layer and binds fine particles together, forming a durable seal.
- Ongoing stability Once cured, the treated surface is protected from wind-driven dust lift-off.
This approach is most effective where dust originates from surface exposure rather than active crushing or screening.
Where Polymer Dust Control Is Most Effective
Polymer-based treatments are commonly applied in areas where long-term surface stability is required, including:
- Stockpiles
- Tailings dams and exposed embankments
- Construction laydown areas
- Rail wagons and uncovered ground affected by wind with no ongoing traffic
These application areas are consistent with how Polo Citrus supports surface sealing and stabilisation across different site types.
Find the details outlined in our
dust suppression products.
Dust Bind and Dust Bind Green: Our Polymer Products
- Dust Bind is an acrylic polymer binder used to stabilise exposed surfaces and reduce dust lift-off in wind-affected areas such as quarries, construction zones, and tailings sites.
- Dust Bind Green provides equivalent surface binding capabilities, featuring a green dye that enhances visibility during application and delivers a more visually appealing finish.
Our product features one of the highest concentrations available on the market, offering a cost-effective solution. Reduced transport costs and customizable concentrations provide flexibility to accommodate your specific requirements.
Operational and Compliance Considerations
Managing dust is closely tied to WHS responsibilities and EPA oversight. Polymer surface treatments help reduce airborne dust that can contribute to respirable exposure risks and community impact, particularly on sites managing long-term exposed areas.
How Polymer Dust Control Supports Site Planning
Polymer-based treatments are often considered during site planning or seasonal risk reviews, particularly in areas that remain exposed for long periods. By stabilising surfaces in advance, sites can reduce the need for reactive dust management during high-wind or dry conditions.
This helps teams plan maintenance schedules with more certainty and avoid repeated short-term interventions. It also supports clearer communication between operations and HSEQ teams when dust risks are being assessed.
Factors That Influence Polymer Application Performance
The effectiveness of polymer dust control is influenced by various factors specific to each site. Before applying the treatment, the following aspects are evaluated:
- Type of surface material
- Level of wind exposure
- Projected duration that the surface will be exposed
- Absence of traffic over the treated area
- Ability to wash out equipment thoroughly after application
When Polymer Dust Control Makes Sense
Polymer dust control is most suitable when:
- Dust originates from exposed or wind-affected surfaces
- Water-only approaches require frequent reapplication
- Longer-lasting surface stability is required
Talk With Us About Polymer Dust Control
Every site presents different dust challenges.
If you are managing exposed surfaces and want to understand whether polymer dust control is suitable for your operation, we’re available to talk through your conditions and application options.
You can
get in touch with the Polo Citrus team to discuss your site and explore whether a polymer-based dust suppression approach is the right fit.
