Due to its negative implications on the respiratory system, the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the American Lung Association, recognizes the importance of dust control.

“Short- and long-term exposure to air pollutants, such as dust, is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. For instance, short-term exposure to air pollutants can negatively impact lung function and exacerbate preexisting conditions like asthma and heart disease,” says Bailey Arnold, senior manager of clean air initiatives with the American Lung Association. “Long-term exposure to air pollutants is also associated with chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, increased morbidity and mortality rates for lung cancer and heart disease, and heightened susceptibility and mortality to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.”