Sensors

Miniature sensors for measuring a variety of exposures are available for a relatively low cost these days. Their size and cost allow several sensors to be incorporated into a single wearable device that can be used to monitor exposures in real time. The sensors can also be placed in numerous locations at work to monitor the spatial and temporal variation in exposures at a workplace. Some exposures for which sensors can be used include dust or particulate matter, noise, light, etc. 

Is the data from sensors reliable and accurate?  
Sensing devices will need to undergo the same QA/QC process as any other monitor. They need to be calibrated and tested for sensor-to-sensor reliability. The data will also need to be processed before they can be interpreted. At this time, it is recommended that sensors are used primarily as indicative of the relative level of hazards over time. Calibrating against a gold standard reference monitor regularly will help ensure the robustness of the data. Monitoring exposures for compliance purposes should be done according to the recommended methods suggested by regulatory guidance or required by standards. Users should also follow manufacture’s advice for the lifetime of the instrument, as some sensors may lose accuracy over time. 

How do I get data from sensors? 
Many of these sensors can allow data to be downloaded and analysed after use, or during use, for remote monitoring. Sensor data may be accessed in different ways. Some may work completely offline, with data written to an SD card which is then downloaded after use. Some may require bluetooth connection to a phone (or gateway) and data is collected and accessed via an app. And some may upload directly to the internet cloud via Wifi or Lorawan. These connectivity options should be considered when choosing a sensor appropriate for your workplace.