How can construction activities contribute to dust emissions?

• A. By using lighter materials for construction
• B. By disturbing soil and aggregate materials
• C. By employing dust screens around construction sites
• D. By limiting work hours during high winds

Answer: (B)

Construction activities contribute to dust emissions primarily by disturbing soil and aggregate materials. When construction work is underway, particularly in processes such as grading, excavation, or demolition, the ground and building materials are agitated, which can release particulate matter into the air. This disturbance can generate significant amounts of dust, especially if the soil is dry or the materials being broken up are loose.

The other options do not directly lead to increased dust emissions in the same way. Using lighter materials might have minimal impact on dust generation, but the key issue lies in how construction manipulates the earth and materials. Employing dust screens is actually a proactive measure to control dust, not a contributor to emissions. Similarly, limiting work hours during high winds is a strategy used to minimize dust dispersal, further emphasizing that the act of disturbing the ground is the primary cause of dust emissions during construction.