Pier Avenue Construction Stirs Up Dust

After a drive down Pier Avenue, some cars leave the popular shopping area caked in dust from the Pier Avenue Improvement Project construction.

The project, which began in January and is scheduled to finish by September, will refurbish the avenue and its surroundings with wider sidewalks, green landscape, a new storm drainage system, energy-efficient street lighting and environmentally friendly street furnishings. 

In the meantime, some residents transiting through the area have noticed dust pollution generated by the beautification project.

Engineers associated with the project said that there is no way to measure the exact amount of dust the current excavation emits — it could be the same as any other construction site — but they're doing everything possible to keep dust levels to a minimum.

"We have two water trucks on site that water down the area and keep dust levels low," said Tom Marnocha, inspector for the project. "The asphalt is also watered once or twice a day to keep the wind from blowing the dust."

When the construction visibly generates clouds of dust, construction manager Jim Guerrero said that appropriate measures are taken to minimize it from happening again.

"Since it is a beach area and mornings are calmer, most of the digging work is done early morning, before the noon sea breeze sets in," he said. 

Residents are also advised to do their part in minimizing dust pollution by reducing speed near the construction site. The less cars race down the avenue, the less dust particles are thrown into the atmosphere.

Even though short-term exposure to construction dust can cause some irritation, it really does not affect the overall health of passersby or the environment, according to Ed Avol, professor of environmental health at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine.

"Unless they are digging up contaminants or metal dust or pollutants, there shouldn't be that much of a problem other than window sills and linen in surrounding houses becoming dirty," he said.

The inhalation of dust for prolonged periods may cause minor irritation of the nose, throat and bronchial airways, resulting in coughing and sneezing. Certain susceptible individuals may experience wheezing by inhaling dust.

The fumes from bulldozers and trucks at the construction site could have some similar effects, Avol said.

"Diesel-powered vehicles emit high concentrations of small carbon and dust particles which are easier to inhale," he said.

Large dust particles common at construction sites are usually several microns in diameter. In agreement with Guerrero, Avol said that using water to make dust particles stick to the ground is the best way to control dust.