Developer Joe Belperio has assured residents of Phillips, Colebrook, Scott and Dawn Streets that everything was being done to keep the dust down.

He said the site was fully tested by environmentalists and the soil or any other residues did not have asbestos.

Daniel and Nettie Hughes of Colebrook Street said they could not keep their windows or doors open due to excessive dust.

They said the dust was causing a lot of breathing and other health problems in the area.

Vicki Bland of Phillips Street claimed her grandchildren had developed breathing problems and she was forced to take them to Adelaide.

She said the situation worsens when the winds start picking up.

Ms Bland said she was suspicious that the residues may have asbestos after the old school was pulled down.

She said health of a lot of children on the near-by streets had deteriorated since the development work started.

John Collison said he has to sweep his driveway twice a day but the dust kept coming back.

He said the winds blew straight through the open space and carried the dusts to the homes.

Whyalla City Council's development officer planning Jodie Perone said the site was being monitored regularly.

She said the council was in touch with the developer to ensure that dust was kept to a minimum.

Mr Belperio said the site was being watered once a week and after some of the homes are built the dust problem would reduce.

He said the image of the area will be uplifted after the 88 homes are constructed.