Real-Time Detection of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RDRCS)

Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is one of the major health and safety issues surrounding the operation of the fracking process. Whilst attention in the UK has focussed elsewhere considerable experience has been obtained in the US about the safety implications involved in fracking operations. Silica sand is one of the most important components of the fracking process and whilst it is not itself hazardous, its use in the fracking process creates a very dangerous crystalline silica dust. This dust is recognised as a serious health hazard, causing silicosis and a variety of other life threatening conditions. Current methods of monitoring RCS in the atmosphere rely on its collection onto a filter over a period of time, followed by laboratory analysis to identify the proportion of silica present. This may take up to 2 weeks, by which time any damage has already been done. The objective of this project is to establish the feasibility of a real-time sensor that is capable of measuring the concentration of RCS in the atmosphere on a continuous basis. Such a sensor would be based on an innovative approach to distinguishing the particular characteristics of airborne crystalline silica particles.