Preliminary tests on a wireless sensor network for pervasive dust monitoring in construction sites

One of the critical aspects in health and safety is the control of fine particle emissions from demolition and construction activities. Such exposure is very often the cause of professional illnesses causing a relevant economic burden for welfare and insurance institutions, besides harming workers. Hence this paper performs a feasibility study of a realtime control system of fine particle concentration on construction sites. It was conceived as a ZigbeeTM based wireless, pervasive and non-invasive system, which is easy to deploy over the site and relatively cheap. Dust sensors were interfaced with the system and calibrated in the laboratory. The prototype is described in detail and tested under controlled and real conditions, in order to determine its potential for application. The prototype was shown to be an excellent tool to support health and safety inspectors, to provide in real-time a broad map of dust concentration over the whole extension of the site, provided that calibration coefficients are worked out for the various types of dust which can be encountered on the site.