Our Living Space Is Affected by Rock Crushers

Rock crushers--also called non-metallic mineral processing plants--are credited with a variety of environmental impacts: air pollution; ground and surface water contamination; solid and hazardous wastes; increased traffic to and from mining sites; and scenic degradation. As a consequence of these impacts, rock crushing plants in the United States are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and permitting requirements.
Ground and Surface Water Contamination
Another important environmental impact of rock crushers is water pollution from sediment runoff, particularly in temperate climate zones. Excess sediment clogs streams, causes flooding and harms fish; sediment runoff into storm water sewer systems can also cause problems.
In drier climates, where groundwater is in short supply, the quantity of water necessary for rock crushers to wash equipment and control dust may strain the local water supply. The National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) program regulates water pollution from rock crushing equipment .
Increased Traffic
Rock crushers can result in a significant increase in traffic and hazardous conditions for motorists on highways, as trucks filled with gravel or other material, often uncovered or loosely covered, enter and leave the processing plants many times per day. This increases the quantity of airborne particulate matter , diesel exhaust fumes and other air pollutants in and around the vicinity of the mobile crushing plant .
Air Pollution
Air pollution from dust is the No. 1 environmental impact of impact rock crusher . Minute particles of dust--10 microns , or less in diameter, called PM10--can damage the lungs. Dust from rock crushing facilities can coat nearby residential and office buildings.
Scenic Degradation
Rock crushers can destroy scenic views in areas where mining facilities abound, such as occurs around some large cities in New Mexico, jaw crushers china , as noted in a 2004 study by the Center for...