SOCOTEC Trials New Real-Time Asbestos Air Monitoring

Working with Alert Technology Ltd, SOCOTEC is trialling a portable real-time airborne asbestos warning device, the ALERT PRO1000, which emits an alert if asbestos fibres are detected within the atmosphere and enables the identification of activities that may have caused fibre release.

The asbestos monitoring method used within the ALERT PRO1000 comprises a two-stage analysis process involving laser light technology and magnetic alignment. Upon being drawn into the unit particles are illuminated as they pass through an optical chamber which produces a light scatter pattern.

Each particle type has a distinguishable scatter pattern which enables the unit to determine if the particle is a fibre or not. The light scattering technique alone is not enough to differentiate between asbestos fibres and other fibres, and as such the magnetic alignment of asbestos fibres is also used to confirm presence. The angle of fibres is checked between two laser beams as they pass through a strong magnetic field. The unique paramagnetic properties of all asbestos fibres cause them to align with the magnetic field. This change in angle enables a distinction to be made between asbestos fibres and other non-asbestos fibres.

SOCOTEC’s Asbestos team is currently trialling the ALERT PRO1000 during intrusive surveys, managing risk on sites and also during remedial projects, with the ultimate aim of gaining a better understanding of the PRO1000’s full potential. While by no means replacing the traditional HSE-recommended approach, the unit has been developed to encourage best practice rather than being led by legislation. Nevertheless, Section 5.44 of the new HSG248 guidance does state that real-time ‘live’ monitoring can be used in sensitive situations to monitor for relative increases in levels of asbestos fibres.

“As a market leader in environmental monitoring and consultancy, SOCOTEC is always looking for new ways to innovate, and our trial period with Alert Technology Ltd enables us to do exactly that,” said James Dodgson, commercial director, Asbestos, SOCOTEC UK.

“We are currently trialling this patented technology in order to recognise its potential for a variety of uses and applications, as well as to ascertain how we can go above and beyond compliance requirements for our client base.”

“Alert Technology are delighted to be working with SOCOTEC, and the combination of our patented technology and their expertise is already delivering really positive outcomes” commented Dan Rushton, EU and UK sales manager, Alert Technology Ltd.  

“SOCOTEC is the first organisation in the UK to be running longer term trials on a range of sites, and we are extremely appreciative of the support they have shown us since the launch. We look forward to working more closely together on future endeavours and have started discussing our next gen cloud based model, the ALERT Connect PRO2000, of which their input will be extremely valuable.”