AirSteril Technology Mitigates Air Quality Challenges for Mining Industry

The mining industry, particularly in underground settings, faces severe air quality challenges, which have long posed risks to workers’ health and safety. Underground mining operations continuously generate high levels of airborne contaminants, including dust, gases, and particulate matter, due to activities like drilling, blasting, and material handling. The confined nature of these environments exacerbates the problem, allowing dust and harmful gases to potentially accumulate in hazardous concentrations. Among the most dangerous contaminants are ultra-fine dust particles, such as coal dust and silica, which can easily become respirable and penetrate deep into miners’ lungs. Exposure to these fine and ultra-fine particles can lead to chronic and debilitating lung diseases, such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis.

Underground mining also suffers significant risk from the potential build-up of harmful gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, and diesel emissions from mining equipment. Methane poses a constant hazard, while unventilated carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas, can lead to poisoning. Despite the standard use of ventilation systems and dust suppression methods, these traditional approaches often fall short, particularly when it comes to managing the most dangerous fine particulate matter and gases.

To address these challenges, innovative air purification technologies, which supplement existing systems, offer a more efficient solution. Fortress Air’s AirSteril is such a solution. An advanced and effective air purification technology developed in the United Kingdom; it has demonstrated its effective control of airborne contaminants in volatile environments.

While AirSteril technology has only been available in Australia since 2017, it was developed and launched by UK-based company, AirSteril Ltd, in 2009. The company’s focus is creating air and surface purification solutions for a wide range of environments, including healthcare facilities, food processing plants, public spaces – such as airports, and industrial sites. Their award-winning technology is noted for its effectiveness in controlling airborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, odours, and other airborne pollutants, leveraging the power of hydroxyl radicals and negative ions. AirSteril’s UV destroys microorganisms by a mechanical process damaging the DNA of bacteria, viruses and moulds, so the risks are constantly reduced. This is best described as custom germicidal UV technology combined with hydroxyl radicals and negative ions. Since its inception, AirSteril has continuously adapted its technology to meet the needs of various industries including, more recently, introducing its potential to more industrial environments like underground mining.

By leveraging hydroxyl radicals and negative ions, AirSteril provides a dual-action approach, removing harmful particulates from the air and neutralising dangerous gases and pathogens.

AirSteril’s established success in healthcare settings underscores its potential for use in underground mining, an environment with similar challenges in air quality management. In hospitals and ambulances, where the need for pathogen control is paramount, AirSteril’s technology has effectively reduced airborne bacteria, viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), creating safer environments for patients and healthcare workers. This technology can be applied in the mining industry to neutralise dust and gas hazards – providing continuous purification and addressing the shortcomings of traditional ventilation systems.

In underground mines, where methane and carbon monoxide are persistent dangers, hydroxyl radicals can continuously neutralise these gases, converting them into harmless by-products like water and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, AirSteril’s negative ion technology targets airborne dust, including fine and ultra-fine particulate matter. Negative ions bind to dust particles, causing them to aggregate and settle out of the air, reducing the concentration of respirable dust and mitigating the risk of respiratory diseases.

Several key studies and research projects conducted between 2020 and 2024 explored air purification technologies relevant to industries like underground mining. These studies identified mining industry challenges and reviewed the potential for negative ions and hydroxyl radicals to mitigate air quality risks. They provide critical insights into the efficacy of these technologies in controlling airborne particulate matter and neutralising harmful gases, underscoring AirSteril’s potential to improve the health and safety of workers in the mining industry.

Several studies focused on the use of negative ions to reduce airborne particulate matter, particularly in controlled environments. For instance, the Journal of Environmental Science and Health reported that negative ion generators reduce fine and ultra-fine particle concentrations (PM2.5) by up to 50% in enclosed spaces, such as offices and industrial clean rooms. These particles were aggregated by the ions, making them heavier and causing them to fall out of the air.

Another study by the South Korea’s Institute for Occupational Health Research, conducted in manufacturing facilities with high levels of airborne dust, showed that negative ions could reduce concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 45%. The study highlighted that effective, ionisation required strategic deployment to optimise airflow and maximise particle aggregation.

China University of Mining and Technology’s 2024 study found electrostatic dust collectors, which operate on a similar principle to negative ion generators, removed 80% to 95% of dust particles, particularly in fine and ultra-fine ranges. This study focused on coal mines, reinforcing the potential for AirSteril’s ionisation technologies in the mining industry.

AirSteril’s negative ion generation technology directly addresses one of the most significant challenges in underground mining – ultra-fine dust. Research suggests traditional ventilation and dust suppression systems struggle to capture ultra-fine particles due to their size and persistent ability to remain airborne. By introducing negative ions into an underground mine, AirSteril causes these particles to aggregate, making them heavier than air and allowing gravity to settle them out of the breathing zone. Studies cited earlier, such as the ones from South Korea and China, have shown the efficacy of ionisation in reducing fine dust particles by up to 50%.

Hydroxyl radicals have also been widely researched for their ability to neutralise gases, VOCs, and airborne pathogens:

In 2021, the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) published a comprehensive peer-reviewed study that found hydroxyl radicals are highly effective at reducing airborne VOCs, methane, carbon monoxide, and other toxic gases in controlled industrial settings. Hydroxyl radical generators reduced harmful gases by up to 80%, breaking them down into harmless by-products like carbon dioxide and water.

Chongqing University of Science and Technology’s study of 2024 focused on air purification in high-pollution urban environments, and found hydroxyl radicals effectively neutralised toxic gases, including methane and nitrogen dioxide, demonstrating that hydroxyl radical generation could address similar contaminants in underground mining environments.

Although limited direct studies have been conducted in active mining environments, several other reports suggest ionisation and hydroxyl technologies should be considered to keep the air in mines clean and the workforce safe.

The study on electrostatic dust collectors in coal mines by the China University of Mining and Technology (2024), found that with proper calibration, ionisation-based technologies could significantly reduce the concentration of respirable dust, particularly ultra-fine dust particles that contribute to lung diseases such as silicosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP).

In 2020, a Virginia Tech research project on improving dust collection where continuous miners are in use, highlighted the importance of enhancing existing scrubber systems. While this study did not directly focus on ionisation, it recognised the potential for electrostatic and ionisation-based methods to improve dust aggregation and removal in highly dust-laden environments.

Further, AirSteril technology is designed to complement traditional ventilation and dust suppression systems rather than replace them. By reducing the overall load of contaminants in the air, AirSteril can improve the efficiency of ventilation systems and reduce the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance of dust collectors. The continuous generation of hydroxyl radicals and negative ions ensures that both dust and gases are managed effectively, improving air quality across the entire underground operation.

In conclusion, key findings from the various studies on the use of negative ions and hydroxyl radicals in controlling air quality demonstrate the significant potential of AirSteril technologies to improve conditions in the industrial and mining sectors. The effectiveness of negative ions in reducing airborne particulate matter, including fine and ultra-fine dust, has been well-documented, with reductions of up to 50% in controlled environments. Similarly, hydroxyl radicals have proven their capability to neutralise harmful gases such as methane and carbon monoxide, reducing concentrations by as much as 80% in some studies. These findings suggest that applying AirSteril technologies to underground mining environments could greatly enhance air quality, improving modern mine safety, protecting workers from respiratory diseases and gas-related hazards while improving operational efficiency.

AirSteril is a well-established air purification system already proven effective in environments as varied and volatile as hospitals, ambulances, rubbish dumps, recycling centres, and airports. The technology offers a unique and elegant solution to the air quality challenges faced by the mining industry. AirSteril’s hydroxyl and negative ion technology has been crucial in eliminating airborne bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in medical settings, creating safer environments for both patients and healthcare workers. In refuse dumps and recycling centres, where unpleasant odours and airborne pollutants are rampant, AirSteril has successfully neutralised VOCs and reduced airborne contaminants, showcasing its ability to handle highly polluted environments. At airports, where large numbers of people congregate, AirSteril technology has been deployed to improve air quality, reducing the risk of transmission of airborne illnesses. The adaptability of AirSteril to such a diverse range of environments illustrates its capacity to address a wide spectrum of airborne hazards, making it highly suitable for the equally challenging conditions found in underground mining.

Given the mounting evidence from these studies and AirSteril’s proven track record in demanding environments, it is clear the technology is a vital part of ensuring better air quality and occupational health standards in mining. The need to mitigate risks associated with poor air quality is more pressing than ever in the mining industry. Fine dust particles, such as coal dust and silica, can cause severe, irreversible lung diseases like coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis. Additionally, harmful gases such as methane and carbon monoxide pose immediate dangers, including explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. These risks are compounded by the confined nature of underground mines, where traditional ventilation and dust suppression methods often fall short in fully controlling the level of airborne contaminants.

The legal and financial implications of poor air quality in mining operations must be considered. Mining companies are increasingly being held accountable for the health and safety of their workers. Legal challenges drain company resources and damage the reputation of the business, potentially leading to stricter regulations and operational disruptions. By proactively addressing air quality concerns, mining companies can significantly reduce their exposure to legal risk and demonstrate their commitment to protecting worker health.

AirSteril offers an elegant, tested solution to these challenges, providing continuous, low-maintenance air purification, capable of addressing both dust and gas hazards. Its ability to neutralise fine dust particles and harmful gases using a combination of negative ions and hydroxyl radicals makes it a particularly attractive option for mining operations. Unlike traditional filtration systems, AirSteril operate with minimal maintenance. This reduces ongoing operational costs and effectively eliminates downtime, allowing the system to function without interruption. Furthermore, AirSteril’s versatility enables it to be deployed in key areas of the mine where air quality risks are most acute, such as near drilling operations, conveyor belts, or transport tunnels, ensuring that contaminants are neutralised at the source before they have a chance to spread.

The mining industry must continue to prioritise the health and safety of its workers, particularly in environments where air quality hazards are persistent and dangerous. The studies clearly show the effectiveness of technologies like AirSteril to mitigate dust and gas-related risks. AirSteril offers an established, scientifically backed solution that can help mining companies safeguard their workforce, reduce legal liabilities, and lead the industry in occupational health and safety matters. By investing in advanced air purification solutions, mining companies can significantly reduce the incidence of occupational diseases, enhance worker well-being, and foster a culture of safety and responsibility. This proactive approach to air quality management would also align with global trends toward stricter environmental and health regulations, ensuring that mining operations remain compliant while enhancing their reputation as industry leaders in safety. As mines grow deeper and the challenges of air quality management increase, adopting advanced technologies like AirSteril will become essential for maintaining safe, efficient, and legally compliant operations.

For further information, please call Stephanie Moore on 0436 607 488, enquiries@amtg.com.au, or visit: https://amtg.com.au