Dust Monitoring Devices for Top Air Quality
Whether outside or indoors, accurate dust monitoring requires cutting-edge equipment with exacting, specific requirements. TES enables you access to foremost, leading dust monitoring instruments, supplying organisations all throughout Australia with several convenient locations in NSW, ACT, QLD, WA and VIC.

Whether ambient, CEMS, process, or indoor applications, accurate dust monitoring requires cutting edge-equipment. With a wide range of instruments and solutions suitable for any requirement, TES provides you with access to foremost, leading dust monitoring instruments, supplying organisations through Australia (and the world), with several convenient locations in NSW, ACT, QLD, WA and VIC. For more information, check out our list of Dust Monitoring FAQ’s at the bottom of this page!

Industries we serve with Dust Monitoring:
Mining and Quarries, Civil and Construction, Government and Authorities, Consultants and Engineering, Logistics, Ports and Terminals, Industry and Manufacturing, Power and Energy, Research and Development.
Dust Monitoring FAQs
Choosing the best dust monitor for the job can be confusing. Do you require powerful equipment with remote operation features? Perhaps you only need small, handheld particulate monitors?

The answers to the following popular dust monitoring FAQs can serve as a helpful guide to understanding what best suits your situation. Our local and knowledgeable representatives are also available to answer your questions and help you select the right dust monitoring equipment for your needs. Reach out to our team to learn about our vast range of products and services.
What is dust monitoring?
Dust monitoring is the practice of analysing air quality to determine the level of airborne pollutants that are present. Commonly referred to as dust, these pollutants are defined as tiny, suspended particulate matter. Such pollutants may include mites, soot, soil, smoke, pollen, hairs, fibres and skin cells among others.

When inhaled, these airborne pollutants can impact health. For people with respiratory issues like asthma and hay fever, the effects can be even more severe and disrupt the proper operation of machinery and electronics.

By monitoring dust levels, you’re alerted when levels exceed certain set parameters. This allows you to take action and minimise potential problems affecting the health of those in the environment in addition to equipment efficiency.
How do you monitor dust levels?
Specially-designed equipment is available for detection and measurement of the amount of dust in the air. The most common and versatile type of dust monitors use optical technology, whereby particles are passed through a laser beam and the concentration of dust is measured by how much light scatters as the particles move through the beam. This family of dust monitors are generally more versatile robust, and the easiest to maintain. There is also now an Australian Standard for this method.

Another measuring option is the Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) monitor. These work by passing the sample onto something akin to a small tuning fork, and the concentration of dust is measured by how much the frequency changes.

Beta attenuation monitoring (BAM) is the other common family of dust monitoring instrumentation. These work by passing the sample through a beta radiation flow, and the concentration of dust is calculated by measuring how much of the radiation makes it through to the filter tape at the end of the flow path.
How can you tell if there is dust in the air?
Large dust particles are visible to the naked eye. You can also see dust more clearly with the use of light. Try shining a flashlight over a section of your carpet or furniture after rubbing or pounding the area, and you’re likely to see small flecks floating in the light.

Not all dust is so easily visible. Dust detection of the tiniest particles is only possible with the use of special dust sensor equipment. Regardless of whether you see it or not, you can be sure that some form of dust is in the air you’re breathing.

Dust is actually present in even the most carefully monitored of environments. Those spaces are called clean rooms, and they’re constantly monitored and carefully filtered to maintain an extremely low level of airborne particulates. Dust monitoring instruments play a pivotal role in maintaining these environments.
How is air particulate matter measured?
Air particulate is a more accurate term for dust and the monitoring equipment discussed here is actually measuring air particulate matter. Particulate monitors analyse and measure the size and density of particulates, as well as the concentration of these pollutants in the air.

Some air particulates are large enough for the human body to actually prevent from entering your lungs. The cilia — tiny hairs in your nose and respiratory tract — filter the air you breathe, capturing dust particles and preventing them from entering the body. These particles are generally larger than 10 micrometers.

Particles smaller than 10 micrometers, also referred to as “PM10”, are able to enter the body via the nose and make their way into the lungs, potentially causing serious health issues. PM10 instruments measure air particulate matter up to 10 micrometres in size. PM2.5 instruments can measure air particulates up to to 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5). Some instruments, such as certain optical dust monitors, are able to measure multiple fractions simultaneously.

Air particulates between 2.5 and 10 micrometres are referred to as coarse, while particulates measuring between 1 and 2.5 micrometres are considered fine. Smaller particulate matter is defined as being ultrafine. The smaller the particulate, the longer it can remain suspended in the air and, longer exposure presents greater risks.
How can I measure air quality?
Measuring air quality means measuring the size and amount of particulate matter present in your air supply. The Air Quality Index sets a positive number that represents how polluted the air is and the risk each level presents to your health. An AQI up to 66 represents no risk, while an AQI over 200 signifies emergency conditions.
Get Quality Dust Monitoring Equipment from Thomson
Use the information above and browse our range of dust and particulate monitoring equipment or speak to our team today to find the perfect instrument for your environment and requirements. Count on Thomson Environmental Systems for foremost quality equipment, meeting and exceeding your OHSA and other monitoring standards.