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National Dust Disease Taskforce - Final Report | EzySense Blog
In 2019, The Australian Government established a National Dust Disease Taskforce (the Taskforce) to develop a national approach for the prevention, early identification, control and management of occupational dust diseases in Australia. The establishment of the Taskforce is due to increasing knowledge about the effects on workers from exposure to inhaled substances such as silica or asbestos particles that may be released into the air during mining, quarrying and construction work. The Taskforce comprises representatives from key stakeholders including employers and unions with expertise in health protection legislation, occupational medicine, epidemiology and preventive medicine. It will also include input from patient advocacy groups across all industries where people are exposed to dusts at work.

The National Dust Disease Taskforce has worked with research institutions over the past two years to establish evidence towards supporting a set of guidelines for industry to follow.

The taskforce has recently published its Final Report to Minister for Health and Aged Care (June 2021) and has followed up with a set of guidelines this past month, we believe it an important document that should be read by anyone operating in construction, manufactured stone, and mining industries.

For more information, please download the report:

Final Report to Minister for Health and Aged Care | June 2021

This article is intended for public awareness of this critical report on workplace health and safety, we link to the original PDF version of this file hosted by the Department of Health.

National Dust Disease Taskforce - Final Report In 2019, The Australian Government established a National Dust Disease Taskforce (the Taskforce) to develop a national approach for the prevention, early identification, control and management of occupational dust diseases in Australia. The establishment of the Taskforce is due to increasing knowled...

What is Ozone?

Ozone (O3) is a colourless, highly reactive gas with a distinctive odour.

Ozone is a form of oxygen with three atoms instead of two. Ozone exists in the Earth's upper atmosphere and protects life on Earth by absorbing most of the incoming ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

It is formed naturally by electrical discharges (lightning), and in the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 15 and 35km. It is this stratospheric ozone that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun.

At ground level, when meteorological conditions are right, elevated levels of ozone are produced by reactions involving sunlight and other air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These reactions form ‘photochemical smog’ of which ozone is the principal component. Photochemical smog can often be seen as a thick layer of smoke hanging over a city or valley.

Combustion processes, including motor vehicle engines, power stations, and particularly bushfires, are major sources of nitrogen oxides and VOCs. These gases react with sunlight to produce ozone.

The production of these photochemical oxidants usually occurs over several hours, which mean that the highest concentrations of ozone normally occur on summer afternoons, in areas downwind of major sources of NOX and VOCs.

Why we monitor Ozone (O3)

At ground level, elevated ozone concentrations can cause health and environmental problems.

It can affect the human cardiac and respiratory systems, irritating the eyes, nose, throat and lungs when present at concentrations significantly above normal levels. These effects are only experienced during exposure to elevated levels of ozone.

Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs and relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.

Ozone also affects vegetation growth, damages materials, such as rubber, fabric, masonry and paint, and can reduce visibility in those exposed to it.

How is ozone measured?

Ozone exhibits strong absorption in the ultraviolet spectrum around 250nm (nanometres). This property is the reason the ozone layer protects the Earth from the high energy UV radiation emitted from the sun, and it is utilised in instruments that monitor ground-level ozone concentrations.

To determine the ozone concentration, a sample of ambient air is drawn through a reaction chamber, which is irradiated with ultraviolet light of wavelength 254nm from a mercury vapour lamp. The intensity of ultraviolet light detected by the instrument is reduced depending on how much the ozone in the sample absorbs it.

A second sample, that has had all ozone removed using a manganese dioxide (MnO2) scrubber, is then drawn through the reaction chamber, resulting in a higher intensity of light reaching the detector. The difference between the two values yields the concentration of ozone in the sample.

Implementing Ozone (O3) measurements in EzySense XP range

To calculate the Ozone present in a sample. We first detect the ozone and nitrogen dioxide with one sensor. With a second sensor, that specifically filters out the ozone and reads only the nitrogen dioxide. We can calculate the O3 concentration by subtracting the corrected NO2 concentration from the corrected Ozone concentration. Utilising best in class AlphaSense sensors.

Why is it Important to Monitor Dust at Construction Sites and How it Helps | EzySense Blog
Air monitoring is already being carried out at many construction sites in the country. EPA Victoria publishes guides to assist Construction Managers to properly understand their commitments to keeping the Air Quality in check at their Construction site.

1820.1: Construction - guide to preventing harm to people and the environment

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/1820-1 (Page 20)

The main goal of these measures is to reduce or eliminate harmful effects when it comes to dust exposure. A lot of research has already been done on this topic with many studies have shown that inhaled dust particles are responsible for various diseases including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmune illnesses etc. Poorly ventilated work areas are more likely to have higher levels of inhalable dust because there are no air currents present in the environment.

Therefore, it is very important to monitor dust levels at construction sites. This article will give you a deeper insight into this matter and provide information on why the monitoring of dust levels is so important.

Soil dust particles are responsible for many health problems in workers including chronic bronchitis; reduced lung function; rhinitis; asthma; and allergy development.

We likely have all had a day moving equipment around and by the end of the day, we are starting to have a sore throat or dry cough.

Dust exposure in humans typically occurs in three ways - through inhalation, contact with the eyes or ingestion in cases where worker accidentally ingests some amount of soil during eating or smoking activities while working. However, most dusts are not toxic when inhaled in low concentrations over short periods of time but may become dangerous if they are inhaled frequently in high concentrations over long periods of time.

Dust is a complex mixture of tiny particles or granules which can come from a variety of sources including construction materials, wastes, vegetation and chemicals. Dust forms when solid materials such as soil, coal, cement, brick etc. break down into smaller pieces through processes such as weathering and other natural effects or during construction or demolition events.

In addition to being a general nuisance dusts also pose an occupational health hazard if they contain harmful components that could be hazardous to human health when inhaled in sufficient quantities over extended periods of time. This typically occurs in poorly ventilated work areas where the concentrations of dusts exceed safe levels.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Limits

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established different permissible exposure limits for different contaminants depending on their concentration and potential health effects. For example, in the construction industry, the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for total dust is 15mg/m3 and 5mg/m3 when respirable particles less than 10 microns in diameter are considered. This means that workers can only be exposed to a maximum of 15 mg/m per cubic meter of air measured over an 8-hour period or for a 40-hour week. If they are exposed more than that then corrective actions such as improved ventilation need to be taken immediately to reduce these levels.

However, it is vital to note that this does not mean that these concentrations represent safe levels because we cannot assume anything when it comes to human health and safety especially with regards to construction work. Dust is composed of different components which may pose different health risks and hence the need for regular monitoring at construction sites.

The effects of inhaling construction dust depend on many factors including the chemical composition, size, shape and solubility of its particles, duration of exposure to high concentrations of dust, age and general health condition of individual workers etc. Therefore, it is not very easy to determine how much construction dust you can breathe in before you become sick because there are too many variables that come into play. However, what we do know is that it is possible for people to become ill if they are exposed to large amounts over long periods of time.

Size Matters

Dust particles less than 10 microns in diameter (the PM10 fraction) tend to pe*****te further into the respiratory system and pose a more serious health risk than larger particles because they can pe*****te deep down your lungs causing significant health problems.

In fact, exposure to specks of dust with these particle sizes over long periods of time has been associated with increased mortality from all causes including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections and lung cancer etc.

This is why it is crucial for construction sites to regularly monitor dust levels using proper equipment so that corrective actions can be taken immediately to keep exposures within safe limits before any health-related conditions develop from prolonged exposure to high concentrations of dust e.g. by installing additional ventilation or improving existing ones if necessary.

In order for construction workers to stay healthy at their jobs, it is vital that safety measures are put in place to reduce risks of prolonged exposure to dust. It is also important that regular monitoring activities are carried out so that the progress of work at the site can be monitored and any necessary changes in procedures or equipment can be made to ensure that dust levels come down quickly.

The effectiveness of these measures will only be realised if the equipment is capable of measuring dust concentrations accurately enough for it to act as an effective feedback mechanism that informs workers, managers and other stakeholders when remedial actions need to take place.

This requires reliable data on current airborne dust concentrations which in turn depend on how well the sampling method used captures actual airborne dust concentrations before they get mixed with other ambient air pollutants like particulate matter (PM) which may originate from sources other than the site.

Sampling and analysis should also provide accurate and precise data on the physical and chemical composition of dust in order to understand its potential health effects and help identify control strategies that can reduce risks to workers' health.

Construction sites usually experience high levels of airborne dust due to increased drilling, sawing, cutting and other construction activities which generate particles. This may also be compounded by the use of certain materials e.g. sawdust which can further contribute to dust levels.

Measurement methods

Optical particle counters are more suitable for measuring total dust concentrations in the air including PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 fractions which is why they are frequently used when working on projects related to occupational health and safety where high-quality data about airborne dust is needed for monitoring purposes.

The devices used for measuring dust concentrations are called particle counters - this measures the number of particles, not their weight which is what simple weighing scales do. These are more suitable for measuring dust concentrations rather than heavy materials like concrete or gravel even though some models are capable of distinguishing between them by using different filtering systems. It is therefore important to make sure that you choose good quality equipment based on your specific requirements if you want accurate results.

If you are looking for a Dust Monitor for your construction site, check our product section or call on 03 9068 8234

Why is it Important to Monitor Dust at Construction Sites and How it Helps Air monitoring is already being carried out at many construction sites in the country. EPA Victoria publishes guides to assist Construction Managers to properly understand their commitments to keeping the Air Quality in check at their Construction site. 1820.1: Construction - guide to preventing har...

How can Dust Monitoring improve your work safety? | EzySense Blog
In the construction industry, dust monitoring has been a widely used method to help improve workplace safety. Dust is generated from many sources, including some of the equipment being used on the site as well as during material transport and general cleanup.

Dust particles can be very harmful to respiratory systems if they are not removed correctly. Even though respirators provide adequate protection for workers exposed to hazardous substances, they must form an effective seal against the face in order for any protection to take place. If the wearer perspires excessively or wears glasses (which may cause fogging), then it will reduce this effectiveness causing harm to workers who inhale these particles over time. This is where dust monitoring comes into play; allowing administrators to see how much contamination is present outdoors which safeguards the health of the workforce.

It is possible for a certain type of dust to contain harmful elements which may not be visible to the naked eye. Dust monitoring instruments are important as they can help to ensure that it does not pose a threat to workers' health and safety. While there are different types of devices available, all serve the same purpose - assist in keeping track of dust particles per cubic meters so as to monitor what sort of dangers might exist on-site as well as how much workers need to use respiratory protection.

As time passes by, more regulations have been enforced on construction sites regarding dust control methods. This means that those involved in construction must adhere strictly to any requirements set out by authorities otherwise legal action could be taken against them should accidents occur as a result of insufficient safety measures.

The use of dust monitoring devices could be the difference between life and death, or at least between serious illness and minor health issues. By using such data to make comparisons with exposures found in similar worksites - it will allow for established risk levels to be derived and used to determine what course of action should be taken next.

In many countries, part of this process includes consultation with experts who may give advice on the topic at hand. They might also assist by offering different methods that can help keep dust control to standard levels thus creating an environment where risks are minimized as much as possible. The more administrators know about these potential hazards, the easier it becomes for them to understand how they function and how they can be used to reduce risks.

If you are looking to purchase dust monitors, then the EzySense team has over ten years of industry experience in environmental monitoring. You can also browse through the various dust monitor training courses that have been designed for other users who want to learn about these tools.

By implementing dust control measures, it may help companies avoid incurring high costs associated with worker absence brought on by health problems caused by working in dusty conditions. It is important not only for the workers' sake but also for the company's survival as well because, without any employees, there will be no business!

Remember that dust monitoring devices should not be looked at as a solution against all possible dangers at work sites, but they can provide valuable information to those who need it. Such devices are used by many companies around the world as part of their overall management system to help operations run smoothly and safely. While some may also use them for regulatory compliance purposes, this does not mean that you cannot use them in other ways - such as to assist with decision-making processes.

How can Dust Monitoring improve your work safety? In the construction industry, dust monitoring has been a widely used method to help improve workplace safety. Dust is generated from many sources, including some of the equipment being used on the site as well as during material transport and general cleanup. Dust particles can be very harmful to re...

Sensors - Laser Scattering for Particulate Matter and Gases | EzySense Blog
Laser Scattered Sensors

Laser scattered light is a form of spectroscopy, which measures the wavelength-dependent intensity of the reflected laser light to provide information about the properties and size distribution of particles in a sample. All atoms and molecules can be characterized by their absorption and scattering cross-sections and therefore, laser aerosol spectroscopic techniques have been used for decades by astronomers to classify atoms and molecules in space. Recently, these techniques have become important tools for atmospheric scientists as well as environmental engineers because they allow for the direct monitoring of both gaseous and particulate species simultaneously.

Laser-based atmospheric sensors are expensive but in contrast to other techniques, they provide real-time scanning which allows the measurement of the mean properties of individual particles, resulting in particle size distributions. In addition, they can be used as an online analyzer to provide real-time information on the constituents of a gas flow and its contents.

Since the laser beam is very narrow, it can be focused on a small spot that diffuses into a beam with a large cross-section. The intensity profile inside that diffused beam will show a characteristic exponential decay from the center outwards, and this signal will change if there are particles in the path of the laser beam.

Image Attribution: howtomechatronics.com

Sensors - Laser Scattering for Particulate Matter and Gases Laser Scattered Sensors Laser scattered light is a form of spectroscopy, which measures the wavelength-dependent intensity of the reflected laser light to provide information about the properties and size distribution of particles in a sample. All atoms and molecules can be characterized by their ab...

Understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI) | EzySense Blog
What is the Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index is a unit of measurement for how clean the air is. It can help to prevent people from getting sick.

The air quality index gives you a prediction of how good the air will be in the next few days. The numbers on this index go from 0-500 and can depend on different things like how many particles, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide are in the air at each hour of the day.

Melbourne's air quality is ranked as 'good' by international standards. Some things that cause air pollution are gases, chemicals and airborne particles. Around 75% of Melbourne's air pollution comes from car emissions, which contains gases (such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and ozone) and particulates.

The Air Quality index is broken into different categories, let's look more into each.

Good Quality Air (Range: 0 - 50ug/m3)

What does it mean when the Air Quality Index is Good?

AQI reading less than 50

The concentration of ozone in the air is lower than normal

There are no significant risks to vegetation, crops or animals

Moderate Quality Air (Range: 51 - 100ug/m3)

This means that the air is considered 'fair' by international standards. Although some pollutants are still present, the levels are low enough to not cause illness.

What does this mean?

There may be some concerns for people with asthma, children and the elderly to do some physical activity

A bit of caution is advised

Unhealth for Sensitive Groups (Range: 101 - 150ug/m3)

What does it mean when the air quality is considered poor?

Some pollutants are still present so there may be risks to children, elderly and people who have breathing difficulties

People with existing health conditions should limit physical exertion

Unhealthly Air (Range: 151 - 200ug/m3)

What does it mean when the air quality is very poor?

The air is considered unhealthy so everyone needs to reduce their levelof physical activity

Asthmatics and people with breathing difficulties should stay inside

Very Unhealthy Air (Range: 201 - 300ug/m3)

The air quality is considered hazardous, which means the AQI is more than 500. This air is very unhealthy for everyone. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you should be concerned about the air quality levels.

Those who are exposed to the polluted air could experience stinging eyes, a sore throat and a cough

In extreme cases, it may cause you to have difficulty breathing and collapse from oxygen deprivation. This is why it is important to monitor your health frequently when there is more particulate in the atmosphere

Hazardous Air (Range: 301 - 5 00ug/m3)

Check your Air Quality in your area now

You can find the Air Quality Index for a certain place. Some services like AccuWeather will have that number for you to use. Alternatively Google Search for Air Quality and you will see the publicly available data for your area. Keep in mind that these monitors are typically run but government authorities are provide a general area reading.

If you would like to confirm the readings in your area, EzySense can provide a demo unit for you to test for a week. Simply email [email protected] to check your options.

Understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI) What is the Air Quality Index The Air Quality Index is a unit of measurement for how clean the air is. It can help to prevent people from getting sick. The air quality index gives you a prediction of how good the air will be in the next few days. The numbers on this index go from 0-500 and can depen...

Effects of Bush Fires on air quality | EzySense Blog
What is air quality and why does it matter

How bush fires affect the environment

The effects of bush fires on air quality

Factors that influence how bush fire smoke affects your health

Ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of bush fire smoke

1. What is air quality and why does it matter

Air quality is a term used to describe the quality of the air we breathe. Air quality can be measured and reported in different ways, usually on a scale from 0 to 500+ which represents the number of different pollutants or particles (known as PM 2.5 and PM 10) present in the air that we breathe. For example, lower numbers like 0-50 represent good air quality whereas higher numbers represent poor air quality. The effects of poor air quality depend on the person and their health but generally, it can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma or chemical sensitivities such as headaches or dizziness.

2. How bush fires affect the environment

Bush Fires burn across Australia on an annual basis, typically starting in November through to the end of Autumn. Bush Fires are a natural part of the environment ecosystem while they are destructive in the process of burning the land, trees and grassland. The burnt regions also cause the land to regenerate, for seed pods to open up.

3. The effects of bush fires on air quality

The environmental effects caused by bushfires include skipping, which is the effect of smoke particles suspended in the air, thus reducing visibility and air quality.

The smoke particles can remain suspended in the air for up to 10 days after a bush fire passes, depending on the size of the bush fire. The smoke particles are harmful if inhaled which can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma or chemical sensitivities.

As a known issue in cush fire affected regions and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a set of air quality standards in order to help prevent these problems and raise awareness of these issues, as reported in the Ash Fact Sheet from EPA Victoria

4. Factors that influence how bush fire smoke affects your health

The size of the bush fire

Wind direction and speed

Number of days since the smoke has been present

Pollution levels, such as ozone and carbon monoxide

Your respiratory system (ie whether you suffer from asthma or chemical sensitivities)

General health and age

5. Ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of bush fire smoke

Don't go outside or limit your time outside.

Keep doors and windows closed. Older models of homes with poor ventilation can be worse for this

If you can feel the smoke, stay inside

Use an indoor air purifier if you have one

Effects of Bush Fires on air quality What is air quality and why does it matter How bush fires affect the environment The effects of bush fires on air quality Factors that influence how bush fire smoke affects your health Ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of bush fire smoke 1. What is air quality and why does it matter....

A look at environmental packaging | EzySense Blog
We all know that the amount of waste is out of control. Even if we recycle and practice good garbage hygiene at home, some things are inevitable: every day you probably receive a "to-go" cup from a coffee shop or a plastic cutlery pack with your lunch order. Every time it happens, you have must yourself whether this type of packaging can be recycled or not.

As new types of packaging appear in the market every day, it has become even more difficult for consumers to understand what can be recycled and how these things work. This new situation forces companies to re-think their distribution systems and come up with better solutions that can meet everyone's needs while helping the planet breathe a sigh of relief.

One of the major problems in the environmental industry today is a lack of good packaging, or more precisely, a lack of sustainable and recyclable materials. The amount of trash we have produced so far is too much for landfills to handle, and even if they could, this wouldn't be a very sustainable solution for our future generations that will need the same place to live on.

Every year, more than 1 million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed because they have been caught in plastic nets. We also have to remember that many types of plastics don't really decompose when thrown away: they just break into small pieces called micro plastics which can't be recycled anymore but still pollute our environment.

So, what can we do to reduce the amount of waste that is produced every day? How can we make things better for our planet and at the same time still meet business demands? One of the most promising solutions lies in packaging materials with low environmental impact, which is mainly composed of plant-based plastics or recycled glass.

The production process for these types of items generally uses less energy than traditional plastic manufacturing processes, so they burn less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which means they create fewer greenhouse gases. This effect drops even lower when you consider how much energy is saved by using recycled glass instead of new products.

Let's have a look at some examples that show different ways companies are addressing this issue with a sustainable, eco-friendly approach.

Natural packaging made of plant-based plastics

Burgess Seed Potatoes offers a great example of one way to use environmentally responsible packaging. The company has recently switched from the classic plastic bags for potatoes to packages made of natural materials called EcoCradle. This type of wrapping is made from renewable plant fibres and requires 80% less energy than traditional plastic manufacturing. In addition, it's completely recyclable and can be reused as a substitute for wood fibre in animal bedding or composting matter. Social responsibility is also important; this product uses no chlorine bleach nor any other hazardous chemicals which means that all wastewater produced during the manufacturing process is safe enough for release into the environment without further treatment.

Besides protecting the product from damage, the new plant-based plastic is also more economically efficient. Since it costs less to produce and has a longer shelf life, Burgess Seed decided to lower its prices for these types of packaging.

The best thing about this improvement is that it creates a cycle in which every piece used by the company can be recycled again. It doesn't have to end up in a landfill or incinerator so you can feel good knowing that your money is being spent on a responsible business with great foresight.

Recycled paper packaging

Another example of how companies are trying to improve their environmental impact is presented by Tetra Pak. This company provides consumers with milk, yogurt and juice cartons made from recycled paper. Not only are these items 100% recyclable, but the production process also requires less energy than traditional cartons made of plastic or aluminium.

The company also offers products that are both eco-friendly and appealing to consumers who want to make a difference when shopping. For instance, Tetra Rex® is a line of products in which paper cartons replace plastics for juice containers because its special surface structure makes it more airtight so the drinks can be stored at room temperature without spoiling quickly. The best part about this product is that it helps save food waste because fruit juices last longer so less go to waste at home, enough for this beautiful "Third Plate" project by Whole Foods Market.

Tetra Pak has also launched the Eco-Shape™ line of packaging products in which paper is shaped into different types of cartons for drinks using less material in the process, too. This means that when you purchase products from this line you are supporting responsible recycling practices while reducing waste at the same time.

Recycled glass packaging

Another great example of sustainable packaging is provided by Recology, a waste management company. They have teamed up with Bono Glass Company to create wine bottles that can be reused multiple times before being recycled once more into new bottles or other useful objects, such as park benches. That's right, not only you can enjoy your favourite drink without worrying about environmental impact but also give back to the community by donating used bottles to be repurposed elsewhere.

Packaging made from recycled paper and glass is also a great way to offer consumers the feeling of stability. These materials have been used for centuries, they are easily recognizable and therefore easy to trust. Since their manufacturing process is simpler, they can be produced more quickly, which eliminates supply issues in markets where time is important such as restaurants.

Food packaging made from eco-friendly substances is becoming more widespread in supermarkets around the world because people are demanding it and companies want to improve their social responsibility instead of letting their customers find a better product elsewhere. When you make a purchase at your local market this holiday season doesn't forget that every piece count, even plastic bags or tags on fruits and vegetables! You can make a difference by choosing brands that are eco-friendly and spread the word by sharing information with your friends and family.

A look at environmental packaging We all know that the amount of waste is out of control. Even if we recycle and practice good garbage hygiene at home, some things are inevitable: every day you probably receive a