A groundbreaking real-time monitor for silica dust has proven its effectiveness in recent independent testing, marking a significant advancement in protecting workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust exposure.
The AIR XS Silica Monitor, developed by UK-based workplace safety technology company Trolex, has demonstrated its ability to provide consistent and accurate real-time data over an eight-hour testing period.
This innovative device is designed to safeguard workers against lung diseases such as silicosis by offering immediate readings of crystalline silica levels in the air.
Glyn Pierce-Jones, Group CEO of Trolex, emphasised the importance of this technology in addressing the current health crisis caused by RCS exposure: “The current testing methodology for RCS only allows users to take an average reading over an eight-hour period and typically takes up to four weeks to produce a result.
“Our AIR XS Monitor was designed to provide an accurate reading with immediate results, letting workers know when their health is in danger and allowing employers to respond in the most efficient manner.”
The AIR XS Silica Monitor represents a significant improvement over traditional gravimetric sampling methods, which can take up to four weeks to deliver results.
By providing instant information, the device enables businesses and workers to take immediate action to mitigate RCS exposure risks.
Aleks Todorovic, Managing Director of Active Environmental Solutions (AES), the Australian distributor of the product, commented on its practical benefits:
“In the two years we’ve been supplying the AIR XS, we’ve seen how simple it is to set up and how effective it can be in providing real-time data to our customers.
“This allows them to respond instantly to dangerous levels of RCS and to provide the best controls and safety procedures to protect their workers.”
The importance of this technology is underscored by recent research from The Lung Foundation, which estimates that approximately 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust across various industries, including quarrying, construction, tunnelling, mining, and manufacturing.
While the Australian government has recently implemented a ban on engineered stone, Pierce-Jones noted that this measure alone is not sufficient to address the broader issue of RCS exposure: “Silica dust is found in most building materials, so while banning engineered stone is a positive step, it’s not a holistic solution.
“The real issue facing the industry is the current archaic methods of testing for silica dust and the delay it causes in creating the safest possible workplace.”
The AIR XS Silica Monitor is capable of detecting all forms of RCS, including alpha and beta quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite, in real-time.
This comprehensive detection capability, combined with its ability to track changing levels of RCS in complex dust mixtures over time, positions the device as a potentially game-changing tool in the fight against occupational silicosis.
As the AIR XS continues to be deployed in various industrial locations across Australia, it represents a significant step forward in protecting workers from the dangers of silica dust exposure and potentially saving thousands of lives.