Dust Characterisation and Dust Analysis

Dust Analysis

Our dust analysis process involves scanning dust monitoring samples into our software to determine both the Absolute Area Coverage (AAC) and Effective Area Coverage (EAC) for each sample.

• %AAC represents the coverage of visible dust, regardless of its colour. It is highly sensitive and capable of detecting even low levels of dust that may not be visible with other dust analysis methods.
• %EAC measures the darkness or greyscale discolouration of dust, indicating dust soiling. This measure increases with dust coverage and is typically higher for darker dust types like coal, and lower for light-coloured dust such as chalk.

In combination, we use these data points to develop a widely-recognised dust annoyance ‘risk assessment’ protocol, incorporating both dust coverage (%AAC) and dust soiling (%EAC). These dust analysis results can be used as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for assessing site performance.

Dust Characterisation

At DustScanAQ, we offer advanced dust characterisation services to determine the precise composition of dust particles. Our expert team uses in-house analytical equipment and trusted third-party laboratories to conduct thorough dust analysis and provide you with the most suitable methods for your specific needs.

Dust analysis methods frequently employed include:

• Optical Light Microscopy: Identification of dust particles based on visual properties and particle size/shape, viewed under high magnification and varying lighting conditions.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDXS): High-magnification analysis used to distinguish similar materials by their chemical composition.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectrometry (ICP-OES): Quantitative analysis for heavy metals, such as lead or arsenic.
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD): Identifies minerals, such as crystalline silica (quartz) and calcite, within dust samples.
• Polarised Light and Dispersion Staining Microscopy: Asbestos screening analysis to determine the presence of asbestos within dust.

No single dust analysis method provides all answers, but DustScanAQ uses a tailored approach to select the best dust characterisation techniques for your requirements. Our team reviews your concerns and, based on the type of materials involved, recommends the most appropriate method for accurate dust characterisation.

We often begin with analysis of reference materials (uniform samples) before examining dust samples from specific locations or collected by our dust monitoring equipment. This helps us determine if the reference materials are present and the extent of their presence. Our extensive expertise allows us to identify many common materials in dust samples without the need for reference samples.