A leading national developer used integrated weather, noise, and particulate matter monitoring to produce credible air quality data and achieve regulatory compliance. This data proved to the local community they were controlling dust far below stringent Bay Area clean air ordinances. Two-way communication provided real-time alerts on wind speed and PM₁₀, helping the sub-contractors take action when needed. Using Aeroqual Site Contribution, they were able to share data directly with the community and earn their trust, illustrating they were not the source of nuisance dust and saving over $60,000 in cleaning claims.

Catellus, a national leader in mixed-use development, is in the final phase of transforming the former site of the US Navy’s Alameda Fleet Industrial Supply Center. The finished project will span 218 acres devoted to office, retail, residential, and waterfront promenade. Residents have moved into the homes, the new school is in session, and businesses are open.

Still, Bill Kennedy, VP of Construction at Catellus, knew that meeting some of the most stringent ambient air quality standards (AAQS) in the world is not enough when carrying out construction work in close proximity to residents and local businesses. “We pride ourselves on being a good neighbor and partner to the city,” states Kennedy. This means going to great lengths to restrict and control the spread of dust and particulate matter, which can have significant community impacts long before they exceed regulatory standards.

The location of the final phase of development is particularly challenging. Prevailing westerly winds blowing down the Oakland estuary pick up dust from the intermodal terminal, recycling works, and other construction sites. These winds then blow across the Catellus site, which shares an eastern boundary with the community and a busy marina housing multiple yacht clubs.

Catellus engaged in proactive community outreach, explaining the development vision, their activities, and their dust mitigation plan. The community, while excited for the redevelopment, was restrictive in the amount of dust they would tolerate. Kennedy knew Catellus needed a solution that would provide accurate, defensible data to protect these community relationships.

Kennedy conducted an exhaustive search to find a portable air quality monitor that had accurate, auto-zero sensor technology, the ability to send real-time text alerts, and did not require hardwired mains power. He selected the Aeroqual Dust Sentry PM10 monitor with Cloud Plus and Aeroqual Site Contribution software package, a solution for monitoring boundary pollutants.

Three Dust Sentry systems were located on-site, one on the upwind boundary, one on the downwind boundary, and one fixed monitoring station adjacent to the sensitive marina area. A fully integrated meteorological station on one of the Dust Sentry’s added real-time wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure to the three PM₁₀ measurements being sent to Aeroqual Site Contribution.

The software automatically calculated the site contribution to accurately report pollutant levels. This data was then shared in real-time with engineers and stakeholders via a live site dashboard. Diagnostic alerts were configured which sent email and SMS text messages to qualified personnel when triggered. The client could then remotely access control parameters and recalibration tools. This ensured the Dust Sentry systems operated optimally, preserving the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the air quality data.

Exceedance alerts were configured, including a stop work alert for wind speeds higher than 20mph and a mitigation warning for particulate matter when PM₁₀ is greater than 50μg/m³ which is a level two-thirds of the regulatory limit of PM₁₀ greater than 75μg/m³. Aeroqual Site Contribution allowed easy configuration of who would receive text and email alerts.

This enabled superintendents of the contractors working at the time of the exceedance to also receive alerts, ensuring prompt corrective action. For example, applying more water, or changing sweeping or concrete loading methods. An acknowledgment alert at PM₁₀ less than 40μg/m³ gave stakeholders peace of mind that mitigation methods had been effective, without the need to stop work.

Chuck Bove, Principal and CEO at Vista remarked, “the solution works really well, and it was valuable to be able to upload and download data remotely and to have a permanent record of it.”

Aeroqual Site Contribution was used to calculate the amount of PM₁₀ dust moving onto the site at the west boundary and how much was moving off the east boundary, showing the site’s contribution to nuisance dust. The software calculated, reported, and trended baseline, average, and peak values of PM₁₀. This data was combined with wind roses to prove the low impact the site had on dust creation in the community.

Catellus and Vista used the real-time information from the Aeroqual Dust Sentry PM10 monitors to minimize off-site impacts of fugitive dust. Kennedy proactively shared with community members the investment that Catellus had made in being a good neighbor. Catellus took a conservative approach to setting alerts, deciding on nuisance levels that are two-thirds of what the regulation required. When faced with an angry yacht owner whose gel-coating was ruined by dust, he was able to prove the wind direction was bringing metal dust from the recycler and railways to the northwest. Similarly, the data showed a business owner claiming for overages in repainting that the source of dust was from upwind of the site.

Community meetings previously disrupted by accusations of, “the dust was terrible yesterday,” were quickly calmed by sharing reports and trends showing the levels substantially below 20μg/m³. In using Aeroqual Site Contribution to collect hyperlocal data while automatically tracking baseline pollution and environmental shifts, Catellus successfully avoided undue blame for their neighbor’s actions. The real-time alerts and defensible data had a positive effect on community relations, and a measurable financial impact – reducing cleaning costs by $60,000 in two months.

“Everything that the equipment promised was delivered,” says Bove. “We have not had any issues or problems with the monitors, they have been reliable and really haven’t missed a step.” Aeroqual’s integrated sensor and software system markedly reduced the time and hassle that might normally be associated with a similar project. In the effort by air quality professionals to protect workers and communities from air and dust pollution, Aeroqual’s technology drove effective decision-making with data that is not only defensible but actionable.

Catellus is a master developer focused on creating some of the most innovative and sustainable mixed-use developments in the nation. Catellus has nearly 30 years of experience transforming former brownfields, military land, and airports into developments that include retail, commercial, residential, and other public uses. Catellus delivers on all aspects of a project, including site planning, entitlements, public financing, and sustainable design.

Vista Environmental Consultants deliver tailored common-sense solutions, rapid response, and safe construction practices for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies throughout the Western USA. Vista has successfully performed over 1,000 remediation projects.

Aeroqual develops integrated monitoring and software systems underpinned by industry-leading sensor technology to support environmental, health, and safety professionals in protecting people and the planet from the impact of air pollution. That’s why governments, industry, researchers, and consultants trust Aeroqual to deliver actionable data for their air quality monitoring projects.

GEO-Instruments (an affiliate of Keller) provides geotechnical, structural, and environmental monitoring services from 13 offices across the USA. GEO-Instruments is an Aeroqual partner and distributor in North America, specializing in air quality monitoring, software, and accessories.