With mineral products suppliers taking action to reduce their dust levels, masonry brushes could allow end-users of their materials to do the same.

Dust levels are one of the environmental criteria included in the Mineral Products Association's (MPA's) 2009 UK Cement Performance Report, which has just been published.

Per tonne of cement produced during the year, dust emissions dropped by almost a third (31 per cent) compared with 2008.

This is in spite of the previous year's strong performance on environmental concerns, when 11 of 15 targets were exceeded, the MPA says.

Masonry brushes that reduce the amount of dust released into the environment surrounding construction sites could extend this achievement to building projects.

Dr Pal Chana, executive director of the MPA, adds that domestically produced cement is "by far the most environmentally responsible way to meet the UK's needs".

The MPA represents organisations in the production of cementitious materials, silica sand, mortar, lime, asphalt and aggregates.

Posted by Charlie Parkin