As countries across the world celebrate “Clean Air Day” this month, Casella is celebrating the successful deployment of an online monitoring system for city roadside dust located in Shanghai, China.[1]^,[2]

The World Health Organization highlights air pollution as the number one reason for environment-related deaths, estimated to be the cause of seven million premature deaths—4.3 million from outdoor air pollution and 2.6 million from indoor pollution. The city of Shanghai is determined to address this issue. In January 2016, the Shanghai People’s Congress unveiled a stricter goal for reducing average particulate matter (PM) densities by 2020.[3] This came after a four-year action plan entitled “The Shanghai Clean Air Action Plan” between 2013–2017 to address the issue.

In 2017, the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau announced that 2016 had experienced the cleanest air in almost six years, with the level of dust (in micrograms per cubic metre) showing a 15 percent decrease from those in 2015.[4] Keen for this to continue, and to tackle the continued issue of outdoor dust air quality measurement, Casella provided a roadside dust monitoring system adapting the MicroDust Pro™ dust detection monitor—a real-time hand-held data logging instrument for detection of airborne dusts, fumes and aerosols—and adapted Apex2™ Plus personal dust sampling pumps—used to monitor airborne contaminants—have been incorporated into the system that also features a built-in camera.  This air pollution measurement instrument has multiple purposes: publishing dust information online to update the public and issuing cautionary statements if required. It captures important data in real time—vital for the city.

The MicroDust Pro dust level meter is designed to measure dust particulates for larger areas and adapts to environments accordingly, with a built-in alert mechanism for exceeded levels. The Apex2 Plus serves as an air sampler for environmental monitoring to accurately quantify dust levels for later testing. It also incorporates the Airwave App that allows remote monitoring so that users can remotely stop, start or pause measurement runs, see if there are blockages within the pump and collect report information. This system puts thought into environmental air quality monitoring for air pollution—ensuring the right people act when increased levels are reported.

Shanghai is setting a global benchmark in roadside dust monitoring that is being admired throughout China and across the world. Sean Gao, business unit manager at Casella said, “Clean Air Day awareness initiatives like those in the U.K. and Canada this June act as a fantastic platform that highlights the real threat of air pollution. We hope that as local awareness increases, such a campaign can soon be run in China.” 

Gao said, “It’s clear that the value in our environmental dust monitoring solution is being realized, and we can help ensure the long-term health for the public.”

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About Casella

Casella is dedicated to reducing occupational health and environmental risks through a core competence in dust, noise and vibration monitoring.  The company has provided precision instrumentation since 1799 and supplied eminent figures including Charles Darwin with instrumentation for exploration and scientific work. Casella’s core purpose is to create technology aimed at improving the working environment of employees whilst providing robust data and equipment platforms to enable organisations to remain compliant with health and safety regulations. The company is expert in the integration of sensor technology and data management systems that further improve productivity and overall safety in the workplace. Casella is a global business, part of the IDEAL Industries Inc. group of companies and has offices in the UK, US, Australia, China and India. Casella are supported by a network of distributors providing local service and support to those searching out solutions for risk reductions.