Scoping Study for the real time detection of airborne respirable fibres

Morgan Advanced Materials manufactures High Temperature Insulating Wools (HTIWs) across a number of sites globally. Refractory Ceramic Fibre, which accounts for approximately 60% of global fibre production within Morgan, is classified in Europe as a category 1b Carcinogen. The other fibre types, low bio-persistent melt fibres and polycrystalline wools (PCWs) are not classified as hazardous, but are subject to Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL’s) in a number of countries
Morgan applies internal OEL’s for all fibre types as detailed below. Compliance with these OEL's is shown by a robust occupational hygiene monitoring programme, covering all workstations where fibres are used. This monitoring follows the World Health Organisation (WHO) EURO method for personal sampling using filters which are manually analysed by Phase Contrast Optical Microscopy (PCOM). This analysis process can take up to 4 weeks from sample collection to return of results.
There is a desire to have real time monitoring on certain operations within the plants where it is known there is variable or high exposure to help reduce exposures by allowing instant reaction to high results.