PID In Construction

Introduction

Brownfield site redevelopment offers significant potential for housing, commercial buildings, and community spaces, but previously developed land often harbours dangerous VOC contamination from former industrial use.

When excavation disturbs contaminated soil that has remained undisturbed for years or decades, it can release harmful compounds including carcinogenic substances like benzene, exposing construction workers, neighbouring businesses, and residential areas to serious health risks.

This application article examines how photoionisation detection (PID) technology protects groundwork engineers, banksmen, and other construction personnel who are first to encounter high concentrations of VOCs during excavation work. It explains how PID sensors provide real-time detection of hazardous gases, calculate time-weighted average (TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) values, and serve as an early warning system for contamination that requires further laboratory analysis.

Learn how construction air monitoring programmes are protecting both on-site workers and surrounding communities during brownfield regeneration projects.