Dustlight FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the personal Dustlight dust monitor and software
You will find the following content on this page. Click on a category to go directly to the relevant questions:
General use
The Dustlight is an innovative personal dust monitor designed to measure respirable particles (fine dust) in real time and warn of them, especially in industrial workplaces. The Dustlight displays dust exposure levels using an intuitive traffic light system (green-yellow-red) and provides audible and visual warnings when critical levels are reached. The device is robust, shock-resistant, and easy to use, making it ideal for use in harsh working conditions.
The Dustlight is specially designed for trade, industry, and all workplaces where dust is generated. It helps to reduce the health risks associated with dust exposure and protect employees from the dangers of respirable particles by providing timely warnings and recommending protective measures.
Respirable dust can cause significant health risks and lead to various serious illnesses, especially with prolonged exposure. The Dustlight helps to reduce the number of dust-related occupational illnesses by visualizing the invisible danger and showing employees when protective measures should be taken.
Respirable dust consists of tiny particles in the air that are in the size range of 4 µm and smaller, as these penetrate deep into the lungs into the alveoli and can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems. The occupational exposure limits therefore relate to this size fraction, which is referred to as respirable dust. You can find more information here.
One-time costs include the one-time purchase of one or more Dustlights, with or without accessories. The unit price will be provided once the customer has requested a quote. In addition, there is an annual fee for the purchase of a software solution. After one year, a maintenance fee is required.
Hardware
Every employee in dust-prone areas should wear a Dustlight permanently on their body using the enclosed clip or our accessories. The Dustlight is easy to operate with a single button and has an intuitive display that indicates the fine dust concentration in a language-neutral and easy-to-understand way. Green means that the air quality is OK, yellow indicates that caution is required and red warns of dangerously high concentrations of particulate matter above the limit value. The device has Bluetooth connectivity to our app, which provides access to past values and histories, as well as more detailed information on recommended protective measures.
Dustlight has a built-in battery that is charged via a magnetic USB cable. A full charge takes about 3 hours.
Continuous mode: Approximately 9 hours (a full working day). Eco mode: Up to 40 hours.
Since December 28, 2024, an EU regulation has mandated the use of USB-C connectors for certain categories of devices, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and headphones. However, this requirement does not extend to industrial and measuring devices such as Dustlight. The regulation focuses primarily on the device-side connector, not the power supply connector. In industrial contexts, USB-A continues to be widely used due to its prevalence and compatibility, especially for data transfer, where USB-C adoption is still limited.
The distance varies depending on the version of the wireless connection and power class: We use version 4, which allows for an approximate distance of 10-20 m.
Dustlight uses a photometric laser-based method. Light is scattered by dust particles, and a photodiode captures the data, which is processed to estimate dust mass concentrations.
Yes, Dustlight is suitable for outdoor measurements. It detects respirable particles regardless of whether the environment is indoors or outdoors, just like air quality monitors used for smog detection. However, outdoor conditions such as wind can affect how particles are distributed, which can influence local concentration levels at any given time.
The measurement accuracy of Dustlight is: PM1 and PM2.5: ±5 µg/m³ and ±5% (at 0-100 µg/m³), ±10% above that. Other dust fractions: ±10%
Dustlight falls under IP5X protection, which means it is dust-protected but not completely dustproof. This classification indicates that dust can penetrate but does not affect the operation of the device. However, it is not waterproof, so it should not be exposed to rain, moisture, or splashing water.
Not yet. It is still under development.
Dustlight performs measurements in real time with a standard interval of 1 second in active mode. In passive mode, the interval can be adjusted to 60 seconds depending on the selected energy-saving setting. Therefore, Dustlight should be used for continuous monitoring throughout the day, but can measure immediately after being switched on.
The charger for Dustlight is magnetic. This provides an additional layer of protection for the charger in dusty environments. The connectors can be easily wiped clean and dust removed.
The magnetic charging port on Dustlight attracts metal. This does not damage the charging port or charger in any way and can be easily wiped off before charging.
Yes, thresholds can be adjusted via the app based on working conditions and dust types. The default settings follow country-specific recommendations.
Software
Cloud storage – The Business plan includes automatic cloud storage of all measurements, preventing data loss and freeing up phone storage. The Basic plan only allows local storage on the smartphone. Web app access – Business plan users can access the web app in a browser with seamless synchronization across devices. The Basic plan does not support this feature. PDF reports – The Business plan allows you to create PDF reports, while the Basic plan does not. Material-specific configurations – The Business plan includes access to material-specific configurations (some included as standard, some available for purchase), while the Basic plan only supports general dust configuration.
The Corporate Plan includes a central dashboard. This allows organizations to view measurements from all connected Dustlight devices in one place. It also enables the analysis of exposure trends over longer periods of time, such as weeks or months. This allows companies to assess whether safety measures are actually reducing dust exposure. A compliance overview shows where limits are being met and where action is needed. This enables safety managers to quickly identify potential risks within the company. In addition, the plan provides insights into when and how Dustlight devices are used in everyday work. This gives companies a better understanding of how their devices are being used and enables them to optimize monitoring across teams in a targeted manner.
If you purchased directly from us, the easiest way to upgrade to the Business Plan is to contact the Dustlight sales team—by phone, email, or via the Dustlight contact form. If you want to upgrade from the Business Plan to the Corporate Plan, an assistant in the app will guide you step by step through the upgrade process.
If you purchased the product in your country through one of our partners, please contact that partner directly.
The data is stored on Google servers in Frankfurt, Germany, to ensure compliance with German regulations and data protection settings.
Yes, the app automatically tracks the user's location, so handling time zones is not a problem.
The Dustlight app is available for free download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Regardless of which software solution the customer has purchased, the mobile app is always available for download. After downloading, a free account must be created.
To create an account, click on 'Create new account' in the app. Enter your name and email address. Create a password and accept the terms and conditions. Confirm your email address via the confirmation link. The app is available in several languages.
The exact limit of devices linked to the user account is determined by the number of licenses purchased.
Role-based access is only available in the Business Plan. The following roles are available: Admin: Can invite/remove users, manage devices, and assign roles. User: Has access to measurement data but cannot manage users or devices. The first user in an organization is automatically an Admin, and new users are added as Users until they are manually changed.
No limit.
Regardless of your role (admin or user), you can only access your own data synchronized in your user account. CSV and PDF reports can be downloaded and shared.
A token is used to join an organization or upgrade a plan. Admins can manually generate invitation tokens and distribute them to new users. When setting up an organization, a token is sent via email.
Yes, measurement data is stored in the cloud (in the case of a Business or Corporate plan) and on the device used for synchronization (in the case of a Basic plan) and can be accessed without an active Dustlight connection as long as the data has been synchronized.
Measurement data is available as long as the account remains active.
Yes, measurement data can be exported as a .csv file via the Dustlight app. PDF reports can also be generated, but only with the Business or Corporate plan.
In the case of the Business or Corporate plan: Cloud storage ensures that data is backed up.
Yes, multiple users can be part of a single organization, and roles (admin/user) can be assigned to manage access.
TWA (Time-Weighted Average) refers to the average level of exposure to a pollutant (e.g., particulate matter) over a defined period of time, typically an 8-hour work shift. It is a key metric in occupational safety to ensure that long-term exposure remains within safe regulatory limits.
STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit) is the maximum concentration of a pollutant to which a worker can be exposed for a short period of time (usually 15 minutes) without adverse effects. It is critical for environments where short spikes in dust levels can pose acute risks.
To unlock TWA/STEL analysis, you need a Business or Corporate software plan, a connected Dustlight device, and active logging in the Mobile app or Web app. Once these conditions are met, assessments are calculated automatically and can be viewed in the detailed exposure analysis.
The compliance window shows whether dust exposure during a selected time frame complies with regulatory thresholds (TWA or STEL). In the Mobile app, go to your measurement, tap 'Details' and scroll to 'Compliance'. In the Web app, select a device, choose a date, and open the detailed log to see 'Compliance' with pass/fail indication and deviation size.
PM stands for particulate matter. The number after PM, such as 10 in PM10, represents the diameter of the particle in micrometers (µm) and thus represents a one-dimensional length.
The display of particle size distributions (e.g., PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10) helps users understand the composition of respirable dust. Different sizes penetrate the respiratory system differently. Smaller particles reach deeper areas and are more dangerous. This data supports informed risk assessment, compliance, and preventive measures.
The regulations on dust exposure are specified in µg/m³, a concentration (dust volume per 1 m³ of air volume). Our algorithm translates the measured length to be comparable with the regulated value expressed as a concentration.
Yes, but not directly on the device. In the Business and Corporate Plans, you can check whether these limits have been exceeded in your Mobile app or Web app.
TWA is calculated continuously during active logging. It updates dynamically based on the data collected over time, so you always have an up-to-date view of risk.
Once their license expires, users can no longer access data stored in the cloud (for Business or Corporate licenses). Data stored in the app will be overwritten after one year.
Material configurations
Material-specific configurations improve measurement accuracy by taking into account the shape and structure of the particles and adjusting warning thresholds accordingly. This is particularly useful in industries with strict exposure limits.
Mixed Dusts (default setting): this setting is based on a calibrated dust mixture and provides a solid approximation across a wide range of industries. It is suitable for environments such as construction, metalworking, food processing, chemical production, and more. Welding: Based on welding test data, applicable to TIG, MIG, and stick welding on steel and stainless steel. Softwood Dust: Designed for dust from sanding, sawing, and drilling softwoods and particleboard. Silica gel, pyrogenic silica, and precipitated silica: specific calibrations for various silica materials. Oil mist: designed for mist from oil- or water-based coolants generated during machining, grinding, and processing operations.
The general dust setting (Mixed Dusts) is calibrated for a wide range of working environments and provides reliable results for most types of dust, including those containing crystalline silica. In most environments, dust is not produced by a single material. The Mixed Dust setting is ideal when more than one material is being processed or the exact material is unknown.
Dustlight offers settings for: silica gel (used in desiccants and chemical processes), fumed silica (high-purity silica for electronics, rubber, and plastics), precipitated silica (used as a filler in paints, plastics, and as a flow agent), and crystalline silica (e.g., quartz dust from materials such as concrete, stone, or sand, often found in construction, mining, and grinding processes and particularly relevant to health due to its respirable particles).
Ensure that you provide details about the material to be measured. Please note that special configurations are available for an annual fee. Contact info@dustlight.de for inquiries.
The Mixed Dusts configuration is available on all plans. Some configurations (such as welding and softwood dust) require Business or Corporate Plans. Custom configurations are available at an additional cost.
Yes, special configurations requested by customers are subject to an annual fee. However, most configurations are included in the package when the business license is purchased.
No, Dustlight can only monitor dust, not gas. Dustlight monitors fine dust but does not measure gaseous pollutants such as NOx and CO, which require different technologies.
Dustlight monitors fine dust and is therefore capable of monitoring diesel particles. There is a material-specific configuration for diesel particles, which makes the measurement of diesel particles even more precise.
Environmental conditions
Dustlight can operate at atmospheric temperatures up to 50°C.
Dustlight can operate without significant problems at room humidity levels of up to 80%. In the event of condensation, the particle size of the dust changes, which means that the measurements are distorted and the monitoring is no longer reliable.
No. Dustlight cannot automatically decide which material is being measured. The algorithm is designed to measure the selected dust type. In the case of a dust mixture, the standard respirable dust is used for general dust mixtures.
Dustlight can measure particles in a variety of environmental conditions. It is designed to function effectively in typical working environments, including industrial settings, warehouses, construction sites, and outdoor areas. However, extreme conditions such as very high humidity, heavy rain, or strong winds can affect the accuracy of measurements by influencing how particles behave in the air. The device operates in a temperature range of -10°C to 55°C and 0-80% relative humidity without condensation, as found in the technical specifications.
Accessories
It is used to attach various accessories to Dustlight. Each accessory purchase includes a connector.
Dustlight should be worn as close to the mouth and nose as possible, so chest straps are the most accurate.
Charging cradles are currently under development and will be available soon.
Maintenance
The service includes cleaning, recalibration, and error checks. Battery or customer-initiated part replacements are not covered.
For exact prices, please contact info@dustlight.de
Theoretically once a year, but it also depends on the conditions under which Dustlight is used.
While Dustlight offers real-time monitoring, official compliance audits require standardized and certified methods.
No. The maintenance due date is tracked in our system. The customer will be notified when it is time. The notification is visible on the Dustlight screen and in the apps.