So far, a handheld device that can detect invisible asbestos fibers in real time eluded scientists.
The concept is like a magic wand, but British researchers who developed the device are not magicians, only heroes.
Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK are in the final stages of developing the first portable, real-time detector of asbestos in the air.
All previous sensors were able to determine the presence of fibrous minerals, but was not able to distinguish asbestos fibers from other fibers.
This new device is able to decrypt the asbestos fibers with other inorganic fibers such as wool, fiberglass and plaster.
mesothelioma patient advocates have desired a way to quickly test for asbestos in the air.
A portable method, affordable and quick to detect asbestos in the air seemed out of reach for decades in spite of ongoing research since the 1970s to develop such a device.
The current method to test asbestos in the air is to collect a sample of air, measuring the amount of foreclosures fibers and then sending the sample to a testing laboratory for examination of the X-ray technology.
The current process is both lengthy and expensive.
Hertfordshire researchers are finalizing the device, which can detect asbestos in real time, which means the field results for workers who need it most.
repeated exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the main cause of mesothelioma, a cancer that has no cure.
If workers use the device to check asbestos before, during and after a project, it could save many lives, in addition to saving countless dollars in medical care.
Lasers and Magnetism Come to the Rescue
The technology uses a laser and a magnetic field. asbestos particles contain several metals, including iron atoms which correspond to the magnetic fields.Because of their iron content, of asbestos fibers align themselves when introduced into a magnetic field.
This alignment actually produces a detectable pattern that is specific to each type of asbestos.
These unique models operate as thumbprints to identify asbestos.
So what role does play laser? The laser actually allows someone to take a picture of unique models of the fibers.
Lasers are focused light beams.
Just like a camera needs light to take a picture, the camera needs to laser light to capture an image of the unique pattern
This is how the device works :.
- A sample of the air the particles are collected and exposed to a magnetic field.
- a laser is directed onto the sample.
- light in the laser bounces off particles and dispersed to form unique patterns.
- The resulting models are captured and identified.
These rapid results are far from the current industry standard, which can take several hours or days.
Coming to a plumber near you
The researchers are now testing the device at asbestos sites known throughout the United Kingdom, where the removal of asbestos or renovation is underway.In all unit tests to date, the detector has correctly identified the presence of asbestos.
continue testing and improving the device are ongoing, and researchers hope to bring the asbestos detector on the market in 12 to 18 months. initial estimated cost for the device is about $ 700 to $ 800, and they hope to reduce the price as production increases after the initial launch of the product.
Large enterprises will certainly be able to allow the detector, but the goal is to make the device affordable for individual plumbers, electricians, home repair workers and others at risk of exposure to asbestos.
In addition to preventing mesothelioma, an asbestos detector in real time could save individual workers and large companies to pay heavy fines.
Millions of dollars in fines have been paid by companies that unknowingly made projects without appropriate measures of asbestos safety
As technology continues to decline, we can not help but request:.
Workers could one day wear a headband or bracelet that could test asbestos in seconds?
Do you feel safer if a worker has used such a device during the execution of work on your house? Do you think that individual workers will budget for a real-time detector of asbestos in the air? Leave a comment below,
