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.

Occupational Aerosol Exposure

DustScanAQ are experts on dust exposure monitoring and characterising inhalable and respirable dusts (e.g. respirable crystalline silica (RCS)). We also regularly conduct occupational exposure monitoring of many other workplace aerosols including volatile organic compounds (VOC), asbestos fibres, welding and solder fumes, acid fumes, oil mists and gases. 

We routinely carry out personal and static area monitoring at:

  • Quarries, stonemasons, and aggregate recycling sites (RCS)
  • Construction and demolition sites (RCS and asbestos)
  • Manufacturing units (wood dust, weld/solder fume, VOC)
  • Recycling and waste management sites (dust and bioaerosols)
  • Bakeries and patisseries (flour dust)
  • Warehouses and distribution centres (dusts, exhaust emissions (DEEE))
  • Intensive farming and grain processing facilities (dusts, ammonia)
 

Unlike other firms, we offer a complete service when it comes to occupational exposure testing. We set up and supervise the sampling ourselves and provide a professional and impartial approach. Whilst making observations of site activities, staff activities and behaviour we also record potential pollutant sources and review any existing control measures. This information helps us make site-specific recommendations in our reports.

For dust exposure and other related assessments, we follow MDHS14/4 guidance where appropriate and use the latest Casella sampling equipment and accredited partner laboratories for specific dust, fibre and VOC analyses.

We calculate 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations which we compare against relevant COSHH EH40 workplace exposure limits (WELs) and other exposure limits (e.g. NIOSH/OSHA, CLAW and CAR).

We also employ a variety or other monitors such as those fitted with real-time gas sensors to allow for short-term (15-minute STEL) exposure monitoring.

 
Oliver Puddle

Oliver Puddle
(BSc, CSci, MIEnvSc, MIAQM, AFOH)
Technical Director

Discuss your requirements with our Technical Director

If you would like to discuss any of your Personal / Occupational Monitoring needs with our Technical Director we can organise an initial call to understand your exact requirements. Please call us on +44 (0)1608 810110 or email Oliver Puddle 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.

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.