County Testing Dust Reduction for Gravel Roads
Posted By J.T. on July 24, 2009
The Cass County Commission recently announced it is testing a new dust control product for county gravel roads. The County has completed the first step and will be spreading the new product over a couple of miles of gravel road.
County road officials are working with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and SMD Products using a co-product of reclaimed glycerin from Missouri bio-diesel plants. “As we understand it, the methane has been removed from the product and it creates a bio-degradable product that you place on your gravel roads and will reduce dust,” stated Associate Commissioner Brian Baker. “The goal is to use a more environmentally friendly product that is better for roads, vehicles, and the environment.”
Associate Commissioner Bill Cook noted that the product penetrates into the rock and dust and is expected to be much more cost effective than petroleum based products. “The product is very environmentally friendly and is bio-degradable. That is the real test. We are seeing how long the product will last and if it will be efficient for the long term,” commented Cook.
Citizens will appreciate the road friendly product and the impact on vehicles. Where petroleum based products “kick up” rock and oil on vehicles and have an odor, the soybean product has no odor and does not kick up product on the cars in the same manner. Any product that might kick up is easily removed with soap and water.
The County will begin testing the product on two miles of gravel road in the coming days.
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