Achieving Sustainability & Safety Through Environmental Control of Dust & Sediment with Acrylic Polymer Technology

Overview Introduction to Dust / Key Figures Sources of Dust / Dust Problems Traditional Practices for Dust Control History of Acrylic Polymer Technology Characteristics of Acrylic Polymers Sustainable Performance and Safety through DirtGlue Additives Applications and their Effectiveness Cost Competitiveness A Look Ahead

Simple Rule Wherever there is a construction site, military operation, or just disturbed soil, whenever soil is being moved or equipment is being used on un-sealed surfaces, wind and water erosion as well as dust problems occur.

Key Figures 6 billion tons of soil washed or blown away each year (exceeding the “Dust Bowl” years of the 1930’s) Constantly 38 million acres at risk to wind or water erosion A total of 1.5 million miles of unpaved roads in the U.S. (53% of all roads) 3.8 million acres of public roads (not including parking lots, farm lanes, private roads, etc.)

What is Dust? Small particles (0.5 to 50 µm) Inorganic (sand, salt, stone dust, fly ash, etc.) or Organic (coal dust, grain dust, sawdust, etc.)

Sources of Dust Wind-blown dust from exposed surfaces such as bare land and construction sites Dust caused by vehicle/equipment movement along un- sealed roads Military operations Mines and quarries Roads works Land development (residential, commercial and military) Agriculture and forestry activities

Dust Problem (1) Human health issues - irritation in upper respiratory tract with dust particles > 2.5 µm - damage of epithelial cells in lung and potential infiltration into bloodstream with dust particles < 2.5 µm - additional health risks for people that suffer from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other respiratory conditions - potential health problems for infants, children, the elderly and pregnant women.

Dust Problem (2) Operational issues - increases safety hazards - additional equipment maintenance - reduces mission success - unnecessary training delays - potential malfunction of electronic and other equipment

Dust Problem (3) Environmental issues - contaminates groundwater and edible crops - stunts growth of vegetation - sediments reduce habitat of aquatic life, ultimately affecting the entire food chain - loss of valuable soil

Unsatisfactory Quick Fix (1) Water - extremely short-term solution - must be applied repeatedly to counter evaporation - waste of natural resource - labor intensive - no stabilization capabilities

Unsatisfactory Quick Fix (2) Chlorides or Salt Brines - short-term control - leads to saline contamination of groundwater and death to plant life - causes corrosion of equipment - will wash out with rain - little stabilization capabilities

Unsatisfactory Quick Fix (3) Petroleum Products (motor oil, cut-back asphalt) - minimizes re-suspension of fine dust particles - leads to heavy contamination of groundwater and surface streams - already prohibited in many states

A Better Solution Sustainable, durable, environmentally safe dust suppression and sediment control by application of acrylic polymer technology

Proactive Approach is Preventing the Problem at the Source Bonds individual soil particles together making them too large to move either by wind or water erosion TSS is minimized PM10 and PM2.5 is significantly reduced Sustainable protection over a considerable period of time

Polymers in the Erosion Control Industry Two main types used in erosion and soil stabilization industry: -Vinyl Acetates (PVAs, VAEs) and co-polymers (mixed blends of emulsions) -Latex/Acrylic based emulsions

Main drawbacks of vinyl based emulsions Little to no UV-protection Hard to maintain as a hard surface High water absorption (20-40%) even after extended curing Water swollen polymer results in soft and weak film/crust Weaker bond than acrylic films Only short-term effect – no sustainability

How does Acrylic Polymer Technology Work for Soil Stabilization? Material Characteristics - Polymer is long chain and high molecular weight material Sustainability - Serves as binder to adhere small dust particles together - Forms flexible and firm surface crust as protection against wind and water erosion - Does not deplete natural resources Safety - As a water-miscible and non-volatile product, once cured, polymer does not evaporate, wash away in rainy conditions, or contaminate the groundwater - It will not leach through the soil

Advantages Environmentally friendly Works with indigenous soil/surface materials Superior bonding Sticks to itself All weather stable Water insoluble on curing Non-toxic / non-hazardous Non-corrosive Non-flammable Stops wind erosion Stops water erosion Stabilizes surface and/or subsurface Reduces or prevents pollution Will not leach out of soil Available clear or colored

Environmental Considerations Acrylic polymers have been proven to be environmentally safe products. Contain no harmful chemical solvents Do not emit any volatile organic compounds (VOC) Are non-corrosive and non-flammable Do not change the pH of the soil Have no harmful effects on people, plants, animals, fish, or other aquatic life

Sustainable Performance through Product Additives developed by DirtGlue Enterprises Excellent film-forming properties over a broad temperature range Superb adhesion to fine particles, both inorganic and organic Unusual film strength and flexibility over a wide temperature range Remarkable chemical, thermal and ultraviolet light stability Enhanced hydrophobic characteristics

Safety Driven Applications Treat roads in battle/enemy zones to minimize dust clouds – making it less easy to track troop movements from a distance Spray application on large areas where dust particle sensitive equipment such as helicopters, aircraft, weapons, etc. is being used or stored – reduces, if not eliminates equipment failures and reduces time consuming, unplanned maintenance Incorporate DirtGlue polymer emulsions into sand or sand bags thereby providing a stable and hardened defense

More Applications Non-traffic surfaces Light-duty and heavy-duty traffic surfaces Fuel and ammunition supply routes Helicopter landing pads Road/Trail intersections Bivouac areas Temporary aircraft taxiways Training grounds Field compound areas Temporary aircraft runways (new or expansion) Hardened revetments (more permanency)

DirtGlue Applications Surface application Wind and water erosion control for storage piles and other non-traffic surfaces Erosion control / bank stabilization Dust control on dirt and gravel roads Tackifier for hydroseeding process Mixed in applications Stabilization of driving surfaces Pot hole patching Resurfacing of worn out asphalt driveways

Effectiveness of Acrylic Polymer Technology Dust Suppressant Effectiveness at Reducing PM 10 Emissions Water-based acrylic polymers90% Pine resin30% Magnesium chloride20% Calcium chloride10% Lignosulfonate20% Petroleum resin #1 (Coherex)1% Petroleum resin #2 (PennzSuppress D) 10% Ref.: Project DUST, Kern County, CA (Mojave Desert)

Cost Effectiveness Long-lasting effectiveness of individual acrylic polymer applications compared to traditional practices Efficient application procedures that provide improved productivity of personnel/labor force No special equipment (read: investment) needed for successful applications. Standard construction/landscaping equipment sufficient. Environmental compliance reduces risk of penalties or costly delays on construction sites

Further Product Developments based on Acrylic Polymer Technology Pot hole repair in connection with DirtGlue Catalyst that allows applications at low temperature and provides fast curing Coal pile / ash stabilization Concrete Sealer

Conclusion Fugitive dust and erosion are some of the most pressing problems on any disturbed soil in the United States Traditional practices produce only limited success and short-term effect Acrylic Polymer Technology is a base for superior solutions DirtGlue polymer additives and refined application technology yield sustainable performance and safety New Technology is cost competitive compared to traditional practices A variety of additional applications are being developed