Unique dust monitors for any application. @ashteadtech #PAuto

The latest TSI SidePak™ Personal Aerosol Monitors have been added to the Ashtead Technology range of particulate matter (PM) monitors.

“We were so impressed with the unique features of these instruments, that we immediately added them to both our rental and sales portfolios,” says Ashtead’s Regional Sales Manager Josh Thomas. “Many occupational exposure applications are potentially explosive and require intrinsically safe (IS) instruments, so we foresee a strong demand for the SidePak AM520i, especially because it also takes measurements for a number of key PM fractions, including Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).”

DPM has long been a concern in underground and confined space applications where diesel engines represent an air quality threat to staff. However, the effects of traffic pollution are now better understood and in Britain for example, over 29,000 premature deaths per year have been attributed to airborne PM; much of which is derived from diesel engines.

“The increased number of PM fractions that the AM520i is able to measure, coupled with its portability, logging capability and IS certification makes this an extremely flexible instrument – ideal for an enormous variety of applications including planning and development projects, foundries, construction, chemical plants, refineries, petrochemical, power and utilities, aerospace, maritime, mining and studies on exposure to vehicle pollution,” Josh adds.

The AM520 is a small, portable, battery-powered, data-logging, light-scattering laser photometer that provides real-time aerosol mass concentration readings of dusts, fumes, mists, smoke and fog within the breathing zones of workers. Newly designed inlet conditioners increase the mass concentration capability and provide size fraction cut points for PM10, PM4 (Respirable), PM5 (China Respirable), PM2.5, PM1 and 0.8μm Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).

Explaining the advantages of real-time monitoring, Josh says: “Immediate readings improve safety and avoid the delays, hassle, consumables and costs involved with the collection of samples for laboratory gravimetric analysis.”

Weighing just 620g, with audio and visual alarms, the AM520 can be worn on a user’s belt with an inlet tube sampling close to the breathing zone. Impressively, it is able to operate on internal rechargeable batteries for up to 20 hours, which means that it can easily run for an entire shift. Warm up takes about one minute and a Zero Filter is provided for a daily calibration check.