Going to buy a dust monitor? Read this first!

How many times have you been to the doctor due to a bad cough? How many times have your eyes burnt during your morning run? How many times have you sat down in the airport due to flight delays?

Well, I am sure most of you screamed ‘of Course, yes. A million times over’. The current rising levels of pollution are to be blamed for this, where everything gets hindered, be it sight, breathe or work. In fact, the biggest problem of the environment right now is the rising damage caused by air pollution. Air pollution is highly scalable, not easily visible to the eye and hence, difficult to control.

Compared to land or water pollution, where it is just one lake or one strip of land that needs to be cleaned, air pollution is difficult to get rid of. One single gush of wind and all plans of air purification can go down the drain.

In cases like these, environmentalists and weather specialists talk about how it has become crucial to directly stop emitting particulate matter and harmful gases which not only impact air but also cause global warming and ozone layer depletion.

Moreover, awareness about the surrounding levels of air pollution, the quality of the air we breathe and how ambient the air around us is needed so that one knows when to stay at home and when to step out.  This is the first step indeed, especially when it comes to particulate matter or dust, which needs to be monitored in order to be avoided.

How can we monitor?

Monitoring dust needs specialized equipment that samples the air around it and gives appropriate measures. A dust monitoring system is best suited for this job as it can measure everything from Suspended Particulate matter to Total Suspended particulates in the air and gives data to figure out where, when and how should anti-dust precautionary measures be taken. A dust monitoring system uses active air sampling and analyses the air collected via different sensors to give a well-sought and verified conclusion about the dust matter in the air. Be it PM2.5, PM2 or PM10, each type can be monitored, and the causes, effects, and diagnosis can be done.

The right dust monitors!

Choosing the right dust monitor means looking at the right features and right information available, especially when it is an investment to safeguard individual health and a step towards protecting the entire environment.

1.      Structure

A dust monitor has to exist and survive amidst the natural weather to capture information. A durable structure that can handle harsh weather conditions along with a mobile body which can be moved around as per need is a good start. This way, one monitoring system can cover a single geographical area without any concerns about damage. Looking for an IP65 grade enclosure body typically ensures that the system meets international standards and survives the likes of cyclones, snowfall, and extreme heat.

2.      Real-time

A dust monitoring system should be of the continuous kind rather than a manual system. The system should provide real-time data as and when the air is sampled without any chances of human error. Be it temperature, humidity or PM measurement, all data should be collected and available without any delays, ensuring active decision making and use of the data. Especially for researchers, the data is precious as long as it is valid, which can only happen if it is live and quick.

3.      Customer service

A dust monitoring system nowadays comes with many additional benefits that one shouldn’t compromise upon. Be it a notification set-up, solar power facility or assessment reports, data can now also be analyzed via the system. The availability of Wi-Fi and online transfer of results allows one to monitor the air without being present at the location. This makes the transfer of reports to weather stations and environmentalists at research centers extremely easy and efficient.

The detailed and comprehensive solution provided by a dust monitor can now be used for various problem-solving options.

1.      Construction sites

Construction sites are known to emit a lot of dust and have many workers working on spot amongst the pollution. Having an on-location dust monitoring system can inform the workers when the level goes beyond a permissible limit that can harm the laborers. infect, it also tells when drilling or other on-site activities need to be stopped in order to avoid long-term pollution impacts. Moreover, various landfill sites can have a dust monitor installed so that they don’t contribute to central city pollution.

2.      Industries

Many industries are known to be emitting particulate matter as smoke or raw dust during manufacturing processes. Having a dust monitor on chimneys or emission panels can inform owners when to install a cleaner, have maintenance done or look at controlling pollution-related activities. Industries are usually known to be main contributors to air pollution and hence this precautionary measure is necessary. Similarly, for mining activities, a dust monitor is crucial for the dust suppression team, especially considering the number of deaths that happen during mining activities.

3.      Ports

At various ports, many activities like ship movements or loading/unloading activities lead to dust pollution. To ensure dust mitigation, a dust monitor to sample air at ports can not only reduce the levels but also inform the staff when and where is which activity leading to a high dust content. This way, those activities can be controlled and maybe the supply chain activities can be changed to cut down on pollution.

The data collected at various locations and sites can later be used by Governments before implementing newer policies for environmental protection. Moreover, many researchers use dust monitor data for adequate reporting as it fits the budget, is scalable and easily available.

Don’t hesitate to use and install a dust monitor at home or at work, especially if you want to protect your own health and make the environment sustainable for future generations. Make sure you choose the right system, the right provider and the right place for setup.