Fine particles and crystalline silica: measure, locate and reduce exposure
Fine particles are invisible, yet their health impact is one of the best documented in air pollution. On a construction site, an industrial site or in a city, monitoring them protects workers and residents, identifies emitting activities and demonstrates that emissions are under control.
What are fine particles?
Particles are classified by diameter: PM10 (under 10 micrometers), PM2.5 (under 2.5 µm) and PM1 (under 1 µm). The finer they are, the deeper they penetrate into the respiratory tract. The main sources are construction sites, traffic, combustion, some industries and bulk handling.
Crystalline silica, a specific risk on construction sites
Crystalline silica is found in sand, concrete, stone and bricks. Cutting, grinding, drilling and demolition release very fine dust, whose respirable fraction reaches deep into the lungs. Repeated exposure can cause serious diseases such as silicosis, which is why occupational exposure to silica is regulated.
Measuring particles: fixed stations and wearable sensors
Two approaches complement each other. Fixed stations such as the WT1 Lite or the WT1 Pro continuously measure PM at the site boundary or in cities, to track the impact on the environment and residents.
The wearable Dustkair sensor is worn close to the worker’s breathing zone. It measures PM0.3, PM1, PM2.5, PM4 and PM10 and distinguishes the respirable fraction (under 5 µm), which includes crystalline silica, from the thoracic fraction (5 to 10 µm), using spectrophotometry and a patented algorithm. It sends instant alerts when thresholds are exceeded. To choose, see our FAQ on dust and silica monitoring on construction sites.
Locating dust sources
By combining several measurement points with wind data, the EllonaSoft platform links each dust peak to an area or activity on site, so you can adapt mitigation measures (water spraying, enclosures, schedules). The method is detailed in our FAQ on measuring fine particles and silica outdoors.
Fine particles indoors
In offices, schools and laboratories, particles come from outdoor air, activities and equipment. The POD2 measures them room by room, together with CO2 and VOCs. See: how to measure fine particles indoors.
What the new EU rules change
Directive (EU) 2024/2881 on ambient air quality lowers the annual limit values for 2030 to 20 µg/m³ for PM10 and 10 µg/m³ for PM2.5. Cities and industries will need denser monitoring, which microsensors make possible, as shown by the performance of our PM2.5 sensor and our results at the AIRLAB Challenge 2025.
Sectors concerned
- Construction: dust and crystalline silica, protecting workers and residents.
- Cities and local authorities: microsensor networks between reference stations.
- Public buildings: indoor air quality in schools and offices.
Deployment examples
- Syama mine (Mali): air quality monitoring at a mining site.
- Port of Saint-Malo: monitoring air quality and port emissions.
- City of Riga: multi-pollutant air quality network.
- Public buildings in Taiwan: indoor air quality.
Setting up particle monitoring
We define with you the fixed measurement points, the number of wearable sensors and the alert thresholds suited to your activities. Tell us about your site to receive a proposal.