Emission of particulate matters during construction: A comparative study on a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and a steel building construction project. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmed, Shafayet; Arocho, Ingrid
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 22(2019)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Particulate matter -- Cross laminated timber -- Construction sites, Air pollution; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2018.12.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Construction sites are responsible for generating a high concentration of pollutants in surrounding air. Emission level can be different depending on the materials used for the construction. One of the methods for quantifying air pollution is to measure particulate matters (PM) emitted on construction sites. This study aims to determine the concentration of PM produced from two construction sites using different materials; cross-laminated timber (CLT) and steel. A reference location was also used in order to compare the concentration level with the construction sites. A total of 900 data points of four different particulate matter sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, PM10 ) were collected from all three locations over a period of 5 days. Data analysis supports that construction sites emit significantly higher concentration of PM than other locations. In majority of the cases, concentration levels were found below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard for particulate matters. The outcomes of this study provide a considerable understanding of PM emission in construction sites and relationship of emission level with different construction materials and activities. Furthermore, this study determines the correlations of different PM sizes measured for the study. Graphical abstract: fx1 Highlights: Construction sites are more prone to produce Particulate Matters (PM) than other locations. Pollution level depends on the construction materials. Timber construction site produced 18–55% more PM than the reference site. Steel construction site produced 68–83% more PM than the reference site. The emission levels mostly satisfied the United States Environmental protection Agency standard of PM.