Dust control management specialist Dust-A-Side, headquartered in Pretoria, has introduced a comprehensive dust monitoring solution that offers particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 real-time monitoring, as well as a manual ASTM-compliant dust fallout unit, which includes a digital dashboard whereby users can access data at any time.

“No other product on the market offers the combination of dust fallout and PM 2.5 and PM 10 monitoring in one unit and on one dashboard. PM 2.5 and PM 10 is the basic standard of dust measurement that we can’t see and need to monitor and is mostly done inside plant areas or closed-off areas. By adding the dust fallout unit, we can now also measure the fallout dust in these same or other areas,” explains Dust-A-Side business development manager George Basson Jnr.

Powered either by a 230 V alternating current electricity supply, or a solar panel with 12 V 7 Ah battery backup comprised of one lead acid battery and two lithium polymer batteries, the unit is equipped with a maximum power point tracker solar controller, dust, wind direction and velocity, temperature and humidity sensors, and GPS.

The onboard GPS pinpoints the exact location of the unit to precisely locate an issue where and when it occurs. The dashboard includes an embedded map with the location of all active client devices, and also displays wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity.

“While the dashboard is automatically updated with data from the real-time monitor, the data from the dust fallout unit needs to be captured manually after samples have been sent for analysis,” explains Basson Jnr, adding that the company intends to introduce a version of the unit that will offer live dust fallout monitoring.

It took five years to get the product to where it is now – there were many software and hardware upgrades and changes over the years.

“There were multiple challenges, mainly with the sensors and backend software for the real-time monitor. We had to call on extremely experienced imbedded software engineers and developers to assist in the process,” he explains.

Boasting an international footprint, including Australia and South America, Dust-A-Side expects demand from the mining, environmental and manufacturing industries, with the unit specifically designed to weather the diverse conditions associated with mining sites.

“The units can be bolted to the ground to prevent theft and all technological components are securely housed,” adds Basson Jnr.

Manufactured by a third party in Kyalami, Johannesburg, the dust monitoring solution comprises imported sensors, while the mast and all other components are manufactured locally.

The unit is assembled and tested locally and is currently built to order. Depending on the components in stock, manufacturing can take six to eight weeks. However, in future, Dust-A-Side will hold stock.

While previous versions of the unit without the dust fallout component have been successfully operating in the field for more than four years, Dust-A-Side recommends replacing sensors every two years.