Air Quality Measurements

Gases – US-EPA, OSHA and NIOSH Compliance Monitoring

Site boundary Monitoring (fixed location)

From climate change research to compliance monitoring, we can measure real-time concentrations (in sampling intervals from 15 seconds to 1 minute) of 100+ organic and inorganic chemicals in ambient air without interference, and deliver detailed information on the behaviour and dispersion of the targeted compounds. We can quantify hazardous chemicals and odours to investigate control effectiveness, determine specific sources and verify (or refute) odour/discomfort complaints. 

Examples of organic and inorganic compounds that can be analysed:
• Greenhouse gases concentrations and fluxes: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), perflourocarbons (PFCs)
• Ammonia (NH3)
• Acid gases: sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and nitrogen oxide (NO2)
• BTEX (butane, toluene, ethylene oxide, xylene)
• Fumigants: (methyl bromide, hydrogen cyanide)
• Carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehyde gases
• Hazardous air pollutants (formaldehyde, styrene) 

Particulate Matter (Dust) – OSHA and NIOSH Compliance Monitoring

Dusts are solid particles which can deposit to the different regions of the lung depending on particle diameter, the airway dimension and the breathing pattern. When a relatively large particle (e.g. 30 µm) is inhaled, it is usually deposited in the nose or upper airways. Finer particles may reach the gas-exchange region in the depths of the lungs, where removal mechanisms are less efficient. If a particle is soluble, it may dissolve wherever it deposits, and its components may then reach the blood stream and other organs and cause disease. This is the case, for example, of certain systemic poisons such as lead. There are particles which do not dissolve, but cause local reactions leading to disease; in this instance, the site of deposition makes a difference.

Whenever people inhale airborne dust at work, they are at risk of occupational disease. Dusts in the workplace may also contaminate or reduce the quality of products, be the cause of fire and explosion, and damage the environment. All these adverse consequences, which are economically costly to employers and to society, are preventable through administrative measures and air quality monitoring.

Applications:

• Evaluating work practices and controls
• Air quality studies in occupational health and industrial hygiene
• Safety audits
• Welding fume exposure
• Mines, quarries and construction sites and any process which breaks or separates solid material e.g. dust from coal, flint and silica
• Construction sites – dust from cement and asbestos
• Farming and agriculture – dust from grain
• Carpentry and joinery – dust from wood
• Bakeries and mills – dust from flour
• Textiles – dust from materials like leather
• Handling of powdered chemicals in the chemical, pesticide, rubber manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries
• Any process involving weighing, bagging, bag-emptying or dry transport of powdered or friable materials.
• Any process using abrasive blasting, such removal of paint and rust, cleaning of buildings and small objects
• Lead
• Wild fires
• Concrete and cement production
• Nuisance dusts
• Soil remediations
• Wood/paper
• Cadmium
• Chromate
• Tobacco smoke
• Oil mists

UAV Monitoring (Hotspot and Dispersion Mapping)

Ecocific is the New Zealand pioneer of aerial monitoring and reporting on a wide range of contaminants including particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and ozone (O₃) in the air using continuous, geo-referenced sensors and direct air sampling. This technique is particularly recommended when site access is restricted and unsafe (e.g. chemical spills), large areas (construction and demolition sites), surveillance of structure/s at height (fuel storage, industrial stacks, pipeline and venting systems). Also, this cost effective technique can support your ongoing monitoring system to find out the best locations for your fixed monitoring station or further investigation in the sources and dispersion of contaminants such as fugitive emissions.

We can collect particulate matter (dust) and conduct composition analysis to determine the concentrations of chemicals and the contribution from different sources, evaluate the environmental and health risk, or support your research.

Our reporting system is flexible including the options of a short bulletin, comprehensive report and/or an air quality video reporting depending on your requirements and targeted audience. We specialise in communicating the finding to clients with diverse background.