Susanne Zilberfarb

Delaware State Fair demonstrates soy-based dust suppressant

Soy product offers advantages over chemical, petroleum dust control

(HARRINGTON) - July is a tough month weather-wise to hold a major outdoor event, especially one that lasts for 10 days. It's either muddy thanks to daily downpours, or dusty thanks to drought.

If the weather pattern that has kept Delaware extremely dry most of this summer holds, it won't be a problem at the Delaware State Fair, July 22-31 in Harrington.

That's because the Fair, working with the Delaware Soybean Board, had soy-based dust control known as "DustKill" applied to several of its gravel roads earlier this summer.

"In the past, we have sponsored the use of biodiesel in the generators that run the rides on the midway," says Kevin Evans, chairman of the Delaware Soybean Board. "That's been a great promotion with Wade Shows, the vendor that runs the rides. This year we wanted to work with the Fair itself to showcase a great soy product, and dust control seemed like a natural answer."

DustKill, a soy-based product applied by DustKill East of Paradise, Pa., provides a safe, biodegradable alternative to chemical and petroleum dust suppressants. The product penetrates dirt road surfaces down to an inch deep, binding loose gravel to dust and “fines” and creating a compacted surface similar in texture to asphalt, with no tracking of the oil. Because soybean oil is not water soluble, like some traditional dust suppressants, it lasts longer and doesn’t run off into ground water. A full-rate DustKill application lasts about a year and effectively holds down dust, improving air quality and reducing sediment and airborne erosion from roads into streams and waterways.

Delaware soybean farmers, through the soybean checkoff, contribute one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans for research, marketing and education projects administered by the Delaware Soybean Board. The Delaware Soybean Board is directed by farmer volunteers from throughout the state. DSB will have a booth in the Ag Building for the run of the fair.