Crispin Pierce, Ph.D. MREA Energy Fair, June 19, 2010

The Use of Fracturing (“Frac”) Sand for Oil And Natural Gas Extraction. The Use of Fracturing (“Frac”) Sand for Oil And Natural Gas Extraction. Wisconsin Locations of Current and Proposed Frac Sand Mines and Processing Plants. Wisconsin Locations of Current and Proposed Frac Sand Mines and Processing Plants. Health Effects Associated with Sand Mining and Processing. Health Effects Associated with Sand Mining and Processing. Comparison of Oil/Gas Health Risks to Those from Other Sources of Energy Comparison of Oil/Gas Health Risks to Those from Other Sources of Energy Recommendations Recommendations

"Fracturing" (frac) sand is used in the extraction of gas and oil from shale formations. "Fracturing" (frac) sand is used in the extraction of gas and oil from shale formations. The sand, along with water and chemicals, is injected under high pressure to fracture the shale for extraction. The sand, along with water and chemicals, is injected under high pressure to fracture the shale for extraction. Wisconsin has highly-prized sand for this purpose, with a high content of crystalline silica. Wisconsin has highly-prized sand for this purpose, with a high content of crystalline silica.

Existing: Maiden Rock, Taylor, Portage, Fairwater, Menomonie Existing: Maiden Rock, Taylor, Portage, Fairwater, Menomonie Proposed or in construction: Chippewa Falls, Marshfield, Preston/Blair Proposed or in construction: Chippewa Falls, Marshfield, Preston/Blair Discussion Stage: Town of Arland, Town of Almena Discussion Stage: Town of Arland, Town of Almena

FOCUS: Airborne pollutants that can be inhaled. FOCUS: Airborne pollutants that can be inhaled. Waterborne pollutants that can be ingested. Waterborne pollutants that can be ingested. Noise pollution that can be heard. Noise pollution that can be heard. Light pollution that can be seen. Light pollution that can be seen. Truck traffic that affects rural road safety. Truck traffic that affects rural road safety.

Many factors contribute to the potential health risks from an industrial operation: Many factors contribute to the potential health risks from an industrial operation: The type and rates of chemicals being emitted to the air, water, and soil. The type and rates of chemicals being emitted to the air, water, and soil. The degree of contact between these chemicals and the public. The degree of contact between these chemicals and the public. The way that these chemicals cause short- term and long-term damage to people. The way that these chemicals cause short- term and long-term damage to people.

Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; Decreased lung function; Decreased lung function; Aggravated asthma; Aggravated asthma; Development of chronic bronchitis; Development of chronic bronchitis; Irregular heartbeat; Irregular heartbeat; Nonfatal heart attacks; and Nonfatal heart attacks; and Premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

The mining and processing activities generate PM through mining, blasting, transporting, processing, and storing the “frac sand” and “waste sand” in large piles. The mining and processing activities generate PM through mining, blasting, transporting, processing, and storing the “frac sand” and “waste sand” in large piles. The “waste sand” has more of the very small “fines” and so is more dangerous. The “waste sand” has more of the very small “fines” and so is more dangerous. Diesel trucks and trains emit small particles that also cause cancer. Diesel trucks and trains emit small particles that also cause cancer.

Silicosis –a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis is progressive and leads to disability and death. Silicosis –a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis is progressive and leads to disability and death. About 200 people in the US will die this year due to workplace exposure to silica (NIOSH 2008). About 200 people in the US will die this year due to workplace exposure to silica (NIOSH 2008). Many more will die with silicosis as a contributing factor. Many more will die with silicosis as a contributing factor.

Silicosis: Crude mortality rates by state, U.S. residents age 15 and over, Silicosis: Crude mortality rates by state, U.S. residents age 15 and over, SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause of death data. Population estimates from U.S. Bureau of the Census. SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause of death data. Population estimates from U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Like asbestos, it is the size and shape of the silica particles that make them so dangerous. The most dangerous size particles are called PM 2.5 which are 2.5 micrometers (µm) in diameter or smaller. These particles go into the deepest part of the lung (alveoli) and cause inflammation, silicosis, and lung cancer.

Lung Cancer – Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled is classified as a carcinogen. The following agencies have classified crystalline silica as a human carcinogen: Lung Cancer – Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled is classified as a carcinogen. The following agencies have classified crystalline silica as a human carcinogen: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) National Toxicology Program National Toxicology Program California Proposition 65 California Proposition 65 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Potential Cancer Hazard Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Potential Cancer Hazard National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Potential Cancer Hazard National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Potential Cancer Hazard

Tuberculosis – Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis – Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Disease – Some studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end- stage kidney disease. Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Disease – Some studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end- stage kidney disease. Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases (other than Silicosis) – Some studies show an increased incidence in chronic bronchitis and emphysema in workers. Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases (other than Silicosis) – Some studies show an increased incidence in chronic bronchitis and emphysema in workers.

“Silica is in all agricultural soils, so it can’t be risky.” “Silica is in all agricultural soils, so it can’t be risky.” Silica is a natural component of soils. However, the “freshly-fractured” silica from mining and processing operations appears to be about 2-5 times more toxic than the “weathered” silica from soils. Silica is a natural component of soils. However, the “freshly-fractured” silica from mining and processing operations appears to be about 2-5 times more toxic than the “weathered” silica from soils.

“The particulates from sand are just like wood smoke, nothing to be concerned about.” “The particulates from sand are just like wood smoke, nothing to be concerned about.” The specific size and shape of crystalline silica particles make them especially dangerous (like asbestos). The specific size and shape of crystalline silica particles make them especially dangerous (like asbestos).

“It’s just like beach sand.” “It’s just like beach sand.” Most of the dangerous crystalline silica is in the cement that holds the sand grains together in the sandstone formation. Most of the dangerous crystalline silica is in the cement that holds the sand grains together in the sandstone formation. Blasting and digging in this formation, as well as transporting, crushing, sifting and pouring of the sand grains create airborne crystalline silica. Blasting and digging in this formation, as well as transporting, crushing, sifting and pouring of the sand grains create airborne crystalline silica. Beach sand is wet – it takes new high- capacity wells to control the many sources of dry sand/silica dust. Beach sand is wet – it takes new high- capacity wells to control the many sources of dry sand/silica dust.

Dust emissions for many processes are not considered by the DNR. These include, Dust emissions for many processes are not considered by the DNR. These include, the large surge pile of sand; the large surge pile of sand; frac and waste sand movement between operations; and frac and waste sand movement between operations; and emissions from the road. emissions from the road. These emissions would include crystalline silica, a known human carcinogen. These emissions would include crystalline silica, a known human carcinogen.

The Department of Natural Resources admits that crystalline silica is a human carcinogen, but is not regulating it as a hazardous air pollutant (NR 445). DNR was required to provide a report by July 1, 2006 but has not yet done so. A study has now begun. The Department of Natural Resources admits that crystalline silica is a human carcinogen, but is not regulating it as a hazardous air pollutant (NR 445). DNR was required to provide a report by July 1, 2006 but has not yet done so. A study has now begun.

There are few silica exposure limits for the general public. However, the State of California has adopted a level of 3 ug/m 3 as safe. There are few silica exposure limits for the general public. However, the State of California has adopted a level of 3 ug/m 3 as safe. The DNR estimated a maximum concentration of silica from the Chippewa Falls plant of 4 ug/m 3 (even without considering “fugitive” dust). However, DNR staff took the position that silica cannot be regulated at this time. The DNR estimated a maximum concentration of silica from the Chippewa Falls plant of 4 ug/m 3 (even without considering “fugitive” dust). However, DNR staff took the position that silica cannot be regulated at this time.

The Trempealeau County Environment and Land Committee set a “goal” of 30 ug/m 3 PM 10 for the Preston/Blair sand plant. The Trempealeau County Environment and Land Committee set a “goal” of 30 ug/m 3 PM 10 for the Preston/Blair sand plant.

Diesel exhaust from truck traffic is carcinogenic. Diesel exhaust from truck traffic is carcinogenic. Sensitive receptors (children, elderly, those living in health care facilities) should be considered. Sensitive receptors (children, elderly, those living in health care facilities) should be considered.

Haddad and Dones, IAEA

Prior to any permit issuance, perform a risk assessment to include the following: Prior to any permit issuance, perform a risk assessment to include the following: Estimate exposure to crystalline silica and compare this to a risk standard, such as the California OEHHA 3 ug/m 3 limit. Estimate exposure to crystalline silica and compare this to a risk standard, such as the California OEHHA 3 ug/m 3 limit. Include all dust (PM) emissions. Include all dust (PM) emissions. Include diesel truck and train emissions. Include diesel truck and train emissions. Consider sensitive groups who could be affected. Consider sensitive groups who could be affected.

Crispin H. Pierce, Ph.D. Crispin H. Pierce, Ph.D. Associate Professor / Program Director Associate Professor / Program Director Department of Public Health Professions Department of Public Health Professions 244 Nursing 244 Nursing University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI Eau Claire, WI (715) (715)

Photo: OHVEC.org