Air

Concerns have been raised about the impact of frac sand mining on air quality. Mining, blasting, processing, and transportation of frac sand can generate silica dust, tiny particulate matter known in industry parlance as “fugitive dust.” When people inhale silica dust in excess quantities, especially freshly-fractured crystalline silica, they face severe health risks, such as silicosis or lung cancer.

The health risks of respirable crystalline silica have been known for many decades, and workplace exposure to silica dust is generally regulated. While the hazards of silicosis at work sites and enclosed settings are understood and regulated, “little conclusive information exists regarding sources, controls or levels of silica present in ambient air,” and no federal standard exists for public exposure to silica particulates (WI DNR 2011:2). In 2011, a group of concerned citizens, including numerous medical professionals and environmental health experts, petitioned the Wisconsin DNR to list respirable crystalline silica as a hazardous air pollutant, requesting that they develop both a baseline public exposure limit and an adequate method for specifically monitoring silica dust. The WI DNR declined.

Environmental Health Research

• The Environmental Public Health Program at UW-Eau Claire has been conducting research on the health risks of respirable silica dust. The project is directed by Dr. Crispin Pierce. His website includes links to presentations about the public health concerns presented by silica dust. 
• Watch an interview with Dr. Crispin Pierce about his research. "New study examines quality of air at mining sites." Wisconsin Public Television Here and Now, February 1, 2013. 
• Yingling, Ginny. 2012. Health Concerns with Frac Sand Mining. Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA) Winter Conference, January 31. 

Wisconsin DNR

• WI DNR. 2011 (August). Silica Study: Report to the Natural Resources Board. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Publication AM-401. 
• Hart, Kristin. 2012. Air Pollution Requirements for Industrial Sand Mines. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Publication AM-491, June 8. 

Wisconsin DHS

• Respirable Crystalline Silica from Sand Mining. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 

Investigative Journalism & News Coverage

• Gunderman, Mark. 2012. DNR denies crystalline silica petition from area residents. The  Chippewa Herald, February 1. 
• Grossman, Elizabeth. 2012. Frack sand mining boom: silica dust, air quality, and human health. The Pump Handle, ScienceBlogs, June 14. 
• Peeples, Lynne. 2012. Fracking Sand May Pose Health Hazards to Workers, Residents. Huffington Post, November 16.
• Prengaman, Kate. 2013. New studies measure air, water impacts of frac sand mines. Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, March 3. 

Industry 

• WISA. 2013. Crystalline Silica. Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association. May. 

Concerned Citizens Groups

• Petition by Citizens for the Promulgation of Rules to Govern Respirable Crystalline Silica Emissions. Before the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2011.