A new agent has been developed to control erosion during road and construction projects. Pennzoil has patented this unique product that has been proven effective in stabilizing erosion problems. I found this information in the March 2000 issue of Roads & Bridges magazine.
The product is called “PennzSuppress EC” and is a unique binder that prevents erosion on sloped embankments. The product is environmentally safe and eliminates wind and water erosion problems on embankments bordering highway overpasses and bridges, roads and storm-water channels.
The formula for the agent contains no volatile organic compounds or ozone-depleting substances. According to EPA and OSHA guidelines, the erosion control agent is classified as “non-hazardous,” “non-toxic” and “non-carcinogenic.” It also meets requirements of the Clean Air and Water Act as it is very effective in reducing airborne dust emissions and silt run-off.
An example of the agent’s ability to perform took place in Texas where they used Pennzoil’s product in a landfill. Torrential rains bombarded the landfill (over seven inches) and fourteen inches over a three month period, yet the soil continued to remain stabilized.
For erosion control projects, PennzSuppress EC works as a soil sealant by penetrating several millimeters into the ground to improve the cohesion of the soil surface. The product is applied in its diluted form, the water evaporates and the active ingredient binds the soil particles together, thus improving soil cohesion.
Since there are differences in the permeability of sand and clay soils, the concentration of the product is varied. In applications involving slope protection on clay soils, the low permeability of clay limits the pores able to absorb a liquid product. As a result, the product is diluted with fifteen parts water to one part agent. Due to the higher permeability of sand, the product is applied in higher concentrations.
In conclusion, the improved soil cohesion limits the amount of material available to erode by wind or water. All the while, the agent promotes vegetation growth, confirming the benign effect PennzSuppress has on the environment.