How do you measure dust and why is it important?
Particulate Matter (PM) is one of the main forms of urban air pollution, and it mainly includes smokes, soot, and dust. PM is a key indicator of air pollution due to its potential to harm human health. It is often split into PM10 and PM2.5, the latter of which is inhalable (it can penetrate through to deeper parts of the lung compared to PM10, which can only access the lung’s larger airways).
Outside of urban environments, many work activities can create dust, and dust can be an issue in almost any industry. Some of the main industries which can experience dust issues include construction and demolition, certain parts of the food industry, woodwork, as well as waste management.
Waste facilities can generate dust through mechanical grabbers and mobile plants which sort and load waste, and through waste shredding and sieving. Additionally, heavy duty vehicles driving on and off waste sites can generate fugitive dust emissions, which can be entrained onto local roadways. It is important for waste facility operators to minimise the dusts emitted, from and at sites, to avoid legal claims over nuisance. The main motivation for lowering dust generated, should be to protect health.
How can dust affect us?
Dusts come in different sizes, and can be categorized as “inhalable dust” or “respirable dust”, based on their ability to infiltrate parts of the body. Different sizes and types of dusts can have different health effects, though excessive amounts of exposure to any dust can lead to respiratory problems.
If dust is allowed to build up in the lungs, it can cause lung damage, which may result in breathing impairments. Some dusts can be the source of lung diseases and cancers, and others can lead to asthma, rhinitis, and extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Preventing the onset of dust-related diseases is hugely important, as the chronic effects of dust are often permanent, and can be disabling.
Managing dust in the workplace
The HSE recognises the need to prevent these issues arising by providing plenty of information on dealing with dust at work. Their Dust in the workplace: General principles of protection publication makes it clear that dust exposure must be prevented, or if this is not reasonably practicable, it has to be adequately controlled. If a site’s dusts fall within the definitions of a ‘substance hazardous to health’, then COSHH requirements apply to it, such as the need to assess the risks posed for site staff or visitors, and to ensure exposure is appropriately managed.
If a site monitors the concentrations of dust they emit, or the exposure levels for staff, and finds that there are any health concerns, then they need to implement control measures to mitigate these, at the very least. Control measures for dust can include dust enclosure systems, dust extraction, or water suppression.
Generally speaking, controls should be selected based on the hierarchy of H&S [JB1] controls, which places RPE[JB2] at the end as a last resort, for example. Sites may also choose to take into consideration the costs, suitability, and ease of application of each control.
What can you do?
Although the UK has a wet climate, the amount of water available could drop by at least 10-15% in some areas by 2050, due to the climate crisis. As such, sites should consider alternative controls to water suppression, or improve their water efficiency through measures such as: water-efficient equipment; harvesting rain-water or re-using grey water; and insulating pipes to prevent leaks. Grants and loans for water efficiency measures can help: www.netregs.org.uk
How can Albion help?
Here at Albion, we can provide occupational dust (and bioaerosol) monitoring surveys, to inform you of the risks for workers at waste facilities. This involves one-day visiting the site, followed by a clear report interpreting the results and providing tailored recommendations on how to manage dust in accordance with COSHH guidance.
Albion Environmental has a number of environmental monitoring specialists, trained to complete a wide range of services within the field of environmental monitoring, including those related to air pollution. Find out more about the environmental work we do here:
