Measurement of Airborne Particulates around Sand Mines and Processing Plants

Abstract

Mining and processing plants scatter the landscape of rural communities in the upper Midwest. Numerous reports of dust accumulation at people's homes and businesses have led to a rise in consideration of investigating the air quality surrounding those facilities, regarding potential microscopic air-borne particulates. The sand harvested at the plants may be composed partly by crystalline silica. On the microscopic scale crystalline silica has been extensively researched and suggested to be a chronic human carcinogen. Particulate size of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) can penetrate the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, there is concern in the scientific and public health community that silica could increase the risk of health infractions such as silicosis, tuberculosis, or renal failure. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively characterize the PM2.5 and PM10 particulate concentrations in the air and evaluate the risk as compared to national standards.