Interested in real-time dust monitoring? See the page for our new DustScan Cloud

About DustScan

DustScanAQ is the new trading name for DustScan Ltd; we have recently rebranded to reflect our growing air quality consultancy expertise and involvement in air quality matters. DustScan Ltd was established in 2004 as a spin-off company from Leeds University. The firm is based in Oxfordshire, UK.

Elemental and Chemical Analysis

DustScanAQ uses Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) to investigate sample morphology and chemistry. SEM-EDS allows particles to be examined at magnifications up to 30,000x and can produce high resolution images of dust samples to provide greater morphological detail than would be obtained using optical microscopy alone.

SEM-EDS can also produce false-colour element maps of many common elements including, but not limited to, oxygen, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, calcium and iron. These maps can be used to examine the chemistry of individual particles, which can frequently be scarce in nature and is therefore particularly useful in environmental forensic investigations.

Detailed elemental analysis can be achieved by using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples are filtered onto mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters in preparation for analysis. ICP-MS produces quantitative data on the concentration of a wide range of elements and is particular useful when looking for contaminants such as heavy metals. The data from ICP-MS are typically reported in µg/g or expressed as a weight percentage. These data can be plotted to show dust sample chemistry in comparison with reference materials.

Some non-metallic elements, such as oxygen, silicon and sulphur cannot be analysed by ICP-MS as these elements are dissolved during sample preparation. However many elements not reported by ICP-MS can be readily identified using SEM-EDS. Consequently, it may be appropriate to carry out both elemental and chemical analysis.


 
Andrew Green

Andrew Green
(BSc, AMIEnvSc, AMIAQM, AFOH, AssocIScT)
Operations Manager

Discuss your requirements with our Operations Manager

If you would like to discuss any of your Elemental & Chemical Analysis needs with our Operations Manager we can organise an initial call to understand your exact requirements. Please call us on +44 (0)1608 810110 or email Andrew Green using the email button below.

   

DustScanAQ would be pleased to hear from you if you would like to discuss your requirements and how we can help you with your project, please contact us on 01608 810110 or email info@dustscan.co.uk.

Dust Monitoring Equipment

DustScanAQ provide low cost dust monitoring solutions. We supply directional and depositional sticky pad dust gauges, gravimetric filter-reference PM10 and PM2.5 samplers and also specify and install real-time air quality and meteorological monitoring equipment. Our dust monitoring equipment has many applications; from compliance requirements to detailed assessments of particulate movements arising from industrial, commercial, construction or other activities. Dust monitoring also provides us with samples used for forensic analysis of potential and actual contamination.