DUST SAMPLING AND FALL-OUT MONITORING SERVICES

The WHO defines as “small, dry, solid particles projected into the air by natural forces, such as wind, volcanic eruption, and by mechanical or man-made processes such as crushing, grinding, milling, drilling, demolition, shovelling, conveying, screening, bagging, and sweeping. 

Dust particles are usually in the size range from about 1 to 100 µm in diameter, and they settle slowly under the influence of gravity.”

 

Dust can become a health and occupational safety concern for the following reasons:

• A Dusty workplace can create slip hazards
• Too much dust can clog up safety equipment
• Dust can block up filters and workplace ventilation
• Short term exposure to dust can lead to the irritation of the respiratory tract, skin and eyes,
• While prolonged exposure can lead to various, more serious and even fatal lung diseases
• Breathing problems and asthma

Types of dust found in the work environment include (WHO):

• mineral dusts, such as those containing free crystalline silica (e.g., as quartz), coal and cement dusts;
• metallic dusts, such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and beryllium dusts;
• other chemical dusts, e.g., many bulk chemicals and pesticides:
• organic and vegetable dusts, such as flour, wood, cotton and tea dusts, pollens;
• biohazards, such as viable particles, moulds and spores

Our process:

Dust Sampling    —   Dust Analysis     —   Dust Assessment and reporting

1. Dust Sampling Services:  Our dust fall-out field monitoring services assess the operational impact on the environment in terms of air quality.
2. Dust Analysis Services:   Dust deposition analysis is conducted in accordance with ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) methodology. Collected sample containers are transported to the laboratory under controlled conditions where analyses are conducted under SANAS ISO 17025:2017 accreditation (No T0685).
3. Dust Assessment Services: A team of skilled scientists, supported by Aquatico’s reporting software, can produce weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports where environmental data is measured against the client’s unique environmental management system. Reporting can be customised to suit very specific requirements across all management levels. Emphasis is placed on turning environmental data into management information that can assess risk as measured against legislative criteria.

At Aquatico, we specialise in monitoring the following dust sources:

•    Mining dust
•    Agricultural dust
•    Industrial dust
•    Construction dust
•    Nuisance dust
•    Fine particulate dust (PM2.5 and PM10)

For more information or a personalised quotation, please email us at info@aquatico.co.za