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Dust monitoring

Why test for dust?

Airborne dust can pose significant health risks to workplace staff and building occupants. Dusts are generated from a wide range of materials, including wood, flour, grain, silica and heavy metals.

Health risks depend on the chemical composition of each type. For example, hardwood dusts are confirmed human carcinogens, while flour dust is a known sensitiser that can trigger allergic reactions. All airborne dusts are considered hazardous substances and may contribute to obstructive lung disease and other respiratory conditions. Workplace dusts are generally categorised into two main types:

  • Inhalable dust – the total portion of dust that can be taken in through the mouth and nose during breathing.
  • Respirable dust – the fraction of dust particles 10 microns or smaller, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs (lower bronchioles and alveolar region).

Testing for dust is essential to:

  • Protect health – inhalable and respirable dust can cause irritation, asthma, allergies and long-term respiratory diseases.
  • Meet regulatory requirements – employers are required under the regulations to monitor and control airborne contaminants, including dust.
  • Improve workplace safety – dust testing helps identify sources, evaluate the effectiveness of control measures and support continuous improvement in occupational hygiene.
Hardwood dust

FAQs

How we test for dust

At ALS, we follow industry best practices to assess dust exposure and support workplace safety and compliance.

Our approach involves:

  • Personal monitoring – sampling pumps worn by workers to measure dust in the breathing zone.
  • Area monitoring – stationary sampling to help identify dust levels in specific locations.
  • Gravimetric analysis – analysing inhalable and respirable dust against exposure standards through our accredited laboratories.
  • Targeted dust testing – testing for silica, wood, flour, grain and heavy metals tailored to your project and operational needs.
  • Source mapping – identifying and mapping dust sources to guide control strategies.
  • Clear reporting – benchmarking results against relevant standards, with practical recommendations for risk reduction.

FAQs