Particulate Matter Emissions in Construction Activities
Summary
Construction activities generate a diverse range of airborne particulates that arise from earthworks, material handling, demolition and equipment use. These emissions span a spectrum of particle sizes, from coarse dust (greater than 10 µm) to fine and ultrafine fractions (PM2.5 and PM1). The composition reflects the mineralogy of source materials, combustion by-products from machinery and secondary aerosol formation. Elevated concentrations of coarse and fine particles present risks to on-site workers and adjacent communities, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The heterogeneity of construction sites, with intermittent high-emission tasks and variable meteorology, complicates characterisation and control. Global trends in urbanisation and infrastructure development have intensified exposure potential in rapidly expanding cities. Advances in monitoring technology and emission modelling are now informing targeted mitigation measures, including dust suppression, real-time alerts and best practice guidelines. Comprehensive management of particulate matter (PM) in construction thus combines engineering controls, process optimisation and regulatory compliance to safeguard health and reduce environmental impact.
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Particulate Matter Emissions in Construction Activities publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in particulate matter emissions in construction activities across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Particulate matter (PM): A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air, classified by aerodynamic diameter (e.g. PM10 ≤10 µm, PM2.5 ≤2.5 µm).
Total suspended particulates (TSP): The total mass concentration of all airborne particles without size selection.
Fugitive dust: Uncontrolled particulate emissions released to the atmosphere from activities such as earthmoving, demolition and material handling, rather than from point sources.
References
- Monitoring airborne particulate matter from building construction: A systematic review. Journal of Building Engineering (2024).
- Assessment of the long-term impacts of PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles from construction works on surrounding areas. Environmental Science Processes & Impacts (2016).
- Field Evaluation of the Dust Impacts from Construction Sites on Surrounding Areas: A City Case Study in China. Sustainability (2019).
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