GSA measuring device SG10-2A: Measure dust exposure at the workplace
Strict limit values for permissible dust exposure apply to occupational safety in environments with dusts. This is particularly important for checking dust exposure at the workplace in order to avoid health hazards.
The GSA measuring device SG10-2A enables the measurement of dusts and other hazardous substances up to 10 l/min in accordance with EN 481.
The measuring device SG10-2A offers shorter measuring times with a flow rate of 10 l/min. This makes it ideal for measuring dust exposure at the workplace. The different sampling heads can be used to measure both inhalable dust, which includes the dust fraction E-dust or total dust, and the even finer alveolar dust fraction A-dust or fine dust, which penetrates even deeper into the lungs and can cause serious damage to health.
As a reliable partner in the field of occupational health and safety, GSA Messgerätebau is the right contact when it comes to sampling dust exposure at the workplace. As dust does not stop at national borders, we can also develop international measurement concepts for you.
Below we offer you some more in-depth information on terms such as dusts and limit values for dust exposure
Dusts term
Dusts are not only a big issue at home, but also at the workplace.
The term dust describes finely dispersed solid particles that are present in the ambient air due to turbulence. A distinction is made between two categories depending on the particle size: A-dust and E-dust.
The dust fraction A-dust (also: fine dust) has a particle size of up to 10µm. This is why it is referred to as respirable dust, which means that the particles can penetrate through the airways into the alveoli (pulmonary alveoli). And this is precisely the problem with this type of dust: it penetrates very far into the lungs and can cause severe irritation. Such irritation of the lung tissue can lead to scarring of the lung tissue and cause long-term damage.
The term E-dust refers to inhalable dust, i.e. the particles that are inhaled through the mouth and nose. The outdated term total dust proved to be too imprecise. The size of the dust particles is approx. 35µm.
DIN EN 481, which defines the classification according to particle size, applies to both types of dust.
General dust limit value for Germany
If contact with dusts is unavoidable in everyday working life, the general dust limit value applies. This regulates the maximum concentration of dust to which an employee may be exposed.
Since 14.02.2014, this value has been 1.25mg/m³ (instead of 3mg/m³), based on an average density of 2.5g/cm³. The dust limit value applies to exposure at the workplace during a regular 40-hour week (8 hours over 5 days). Although this value has been in force since 2014, it has only been binding since 01.01.2019 and the previous exceptions no longer apply.
Various parameters (pressure, temperature and volume) are required to calculate the dust limit value, see also TRGS 900.
However, the limit value must always be considered in relation to the respective substance, because if other limit values apply for a specific substance due to a higher hazard potential, these values must of course be complied with. Details on the respective substances and limit values at the workplace can be found in the risk assessment.
International limit values for dust pollution
In Germany, various safety regulations must be complied with in the event of dust exposure at the workplace. This begins with the risk assessment, which determines which hazardous substances are used, the resulting hazards and the safety measures to be taken. This assessment is based on the hazard potential of the substance to which an employee is exposed.
All these regulations are intended to protect employees, but what is the situation in other countries?
What are the limit values compared to 32 other countries?
To investigate this question, the limit values of three exemplary substances are compared with each other. These Example materials are: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). An exposure period of eight hours per working day also applies to these dust limit values.
An overview of the various limit values is provided by the GESTIS substance database, which summarizes hazardous substances from 32 countries. The country-specific values are listed alphabetically using the chemical nomenclature (in English).
Within the EU, the limit values of various substances are defined in the OELs (occupational exposure limits). Directive (EU) 2019/983 distinguishes between indicative OELs and binding OELs and serves to protect workers.
Indicative OELs are established occupational exposure limit values below which adverse health effects are unlikely to occur in the event of short-term or daily exposure. These binding limit values must be integrated and complied with by the member states as minimum standards.
There are currently around 123 IOELVs at EU level. However, the member states are free to define these limit values more strictly, i.e. to use a lower value as a guideline. In addition, there are also binding OELs, which must be implemented and complied with as occupational limit values in the member states if they are set at EU level.
Measuring dust exposure at the workplace with SG10-2A: Answers to frequently asked questions
1. how is dust pollution measured and compared in international companies?
The measurement and comparison of dust exposure in international companies depends on the specific health and safety standards of each country. It is important to measure dust exposure regularly to avoid health hazards.
2 What should be done if dust levels exceed the limit values?
If dust pollution exceeds the limit values, there are two options: either to restrict the activities that release dust or to reduce the emission intensity through technical measures.
3. how often should the dust exposure at the workplace be measured?
Dust exposure at the workplace should be measured regularly to check the quality of current safety measures. The occupational limit value (OEL) describes the highest possible concentration of a substance that is permitted at the workplace.
Sources:
[1]: https://www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/pub/grl/pdf/1999_063.pdf
[2]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Rechtstexte-und-Technische-Regeln/Regelwerk/TRGS/pdf/900/900-allgemeiner-staubgrenzwert.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
[3]: https://www.dguv.de/ifa/fachinfos/arbeitsplatzgrenzwerte/auslaendische-und-eu-grenzwerte/index.jsp
[4]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Rechtstexte-und-Technische-Regeln/Regelwerk/TRGS/pdf/TRGS-900.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=13
[5]: https://www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/pub/grl/pdf/2009_058.pdf
[6]: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017L0164&from=DE
[7]: https://limitvalue.ifa.dguv.de/
[8]: http://hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/ExposureStandards/Search?FormattedCasNo=&Name=&Source=&Notes=&fromDate=&toDate=&SearchBy=Name&SearchText=dust&Sort=Name&results=30&isAdvancedSearch=false
[9]: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/92-100/pdfs/92-100.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB92100
[10]: https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2018/655#idaa82951b-3de3-4579-abc3-6f1ac0800ba0
[11]: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/eh40.pdf
[12]: http://www.inrs.fr/media.html?refINRS=ED%20984
[13]: http://www.werk.belgie.be/detailA_Z.aspx?id=780#AutoAncher2.
[14]: https://echa.europa.eu/de/oel
[15]: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019L0983&from=EN
[16] https://limitvalue.ifa.dguv.de/
[17] https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/service/uba-fragen/was-passiert-bei-einer-ueberschreitung-der