Crispin Pierce, Ph.D. Crispin Pierce, Ph.D.

MREA Energy Fair, June 19, 2010MREA Energy Fair, June 19, 2010

The Use of Fracturing (“Frac”) Sand for Oil The Use of Fracturing (“Frac”) Sand for Oil And Natural Gas Extraction.And Natural Gas Extraction.

Wisconsin Locations of Current and Proposed Wisconsin Locations of Current and Proposed Frac Sand Mines and Processing Plants.Frac Sand Mines and Processing Plants.

Health Effects Associated with Sand Mining Health Effects Associated with Sand Mining and Processing.and Processing.

Comparison of Oil/Gas Health Risks to Those Comparison of Oil/Gas Health Risks to Those from Other Sources of Energyfrom Other Sources of Energy

RecommendationsRecommendations

"Fracturing" (frac) sand is used in the "Fracturing" (frac) sand is used in the extraction of gas and oil from shale extraction of gas and oil from shale formations. formations.

The sand, along with water and chemicals, The sand, along with water and chemicals, is injected under high pressure to fracture is injected under high pressure to fracture the shale for extraction.the shale for extraction.

Wisconsin has highly-prized sand for this Wisconsin has highly-prized sand for this purpose, with a high content of crystalline purpose, with a high content of crystalline silica.silica.

Existing: Maiden Rock, Taylor, Portage, Existing: Maiden Rock, Taylor, Portage, Fairwater, Menomonie Fairwater, Menomonie

Proposed or in construction: Chippewa Proposed or in construction: Chippewa Falls, Marshfield, Preston/BlairFalls, Marshfield, Preston/Blair

Discussion Stage: Town of Arland, Town Discussion Stage: Town of Arland, Town of Almenaof Almena

FOCUS: Airborne pollutants that can be FOCUS: Airborne pollutants that can be inhaled.inhaled.

Waterborne pollutants that can be Waterborne pollutants that can be ingested.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 Many factors contribute to the potential health risks from an industrial operation:health risks from an industrial operation:The type and rates of chemicals being emitted The type and rates of chemicals being emitted

to the air, water, and soil.to the air, water, and soil.The degree of contact between these The degree of contact between these

chemicals and the public.chemicals and the public.The way that these chemicals cause short-The way that these chemicals cause short-

term and long-term damage to people.term and long-term damage to people.

Increased respiratory symptoms, such as Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; 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 Premature death in people with heart or lung

disease. disease.

The mining and processing activities The mining and processing activities generate PM through mining, blasting, generate PM through mining, blasting, transporting, processing, and storing the transporting, processing, and storing the “frac sand” and “waste sand” in large piles.“frac sand” and “waste sand” in large piles.

The “waste sand” has more of the very The “waste sand” has more of the very small “fines” and so is more dangerous.small “fines” and so is more dangerous.

Diesel trucks and trains emit small Diesel trucks and trains emit small particles that also cause cancer.particles that also cause cancer.

Silicosis –a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis –a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis is progressive and leads to Silicosis is progressive and leads to disability and death.disability and death.

About 200 people in the US will die this About 200 people in the US will die this year due to workplace exposure to silica year due to workplace exposure to silica (NIOSH 2008).(NIOSH 2008).

Many more will die with silicosis as a Many more will die with silicosis as a contributing factor.contributing factor.

Silicosis: Crude mortality rates by state, U.S. residents age 15 and over, 1991-1992.Silicosis: Crude mortality rates by state, U.S. residents age 15 and over, 1991-1992.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause of death data. Population estimates from SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause of death data. Population estimates from U.S. Bureau of the Census.U.S. Bureau of the Census.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-134/pdfs/96-134e.pdf

• Like asbestos, it is the size and shape of the silica particles that make them so dangerous.• The most dangerous size particles are called PM2.5 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) Lung Cancer – Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled is classified as a carcinogen. The inhaled is classified as a carcinogen. The following agencies have classified crystalline following agencies have classified crystalline silica as a human carcinogen: silica as a human carcinogen: International Agency for Research on Cancer International Agency for Research on Cancer

(IARC) (IARC) National Toxicology Program National Toxicology Program California Proposition 65 California Proposition 65 American Conference of Governmental American Conference of Governmental

Industrial Hygienists Industrial Hygienists Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health

Administration - Potential Cancer Hazard Administration - Potential Cancer Hazard National Institute for Occupational Safety and National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) – Potential Cancer Hazard Health (NIOSH) – Potential Cancer Hazard

Tuberculosis – Silicosis increases the risk of Tuberculosis – Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. tuberculosis.

Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Disease – Some Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Disease – Some studies show excess numbers of cases of studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end-rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end-stage kidney disease.stage kidney disease.

Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases (other than Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases (other than Silicosis) – Some studies show an increased incidence Silicosis) – Some studies show an increased incidence in chronic bronchitis and emphysema in workers.in chronic bronchitis and emphysema in workers.

““Silica is in all agricultural soils, so it can’t Silica is in all agricultural soils, so it can’t be risky.” be risky.”

Silica is a natural component of soils. Silica is a natural component of soils. However, the “freshly-fractured” silica from However, the “freshly-fractured” silica from mining and processing operations appears mining and processing operations appears to be about 2-5 times more toxic than the to be about 2-5 times more toxic than the “weathered” silica from soils .“weathered” silica from soils .

““The particulates from sand are just like The particulates from sand are just like wood smoke, nothing to be concerned wood smoke, nothing to be concerned about.”about.”

The specific size and shape of crystalline The specific size and shape of crystalline silica particles make them especially silica particles make them especially dangerous (like asbestos).dangerous (like asbestos).

““It’s just like beach sand.”It’s just like beach sand.” Most of the dangerous crystalline silica is in Most of the dangerous crystalline silica is in

the cement that holds the sand grains the cement that holds the sand grains together in the sandstone formation.together in the sandstone formation.

Blasting and digging in this formation, as well Blasting and digging in this formation, as well as transporting, crushing, sifting and pouring as transporting, crushing, sifting and pouring of the sand grains create airborne crystalline of the sand grains create airborne crystalline silica.silica.

Beach sand is wet – it takes new high-Beach sand is wet – it takes new high-capacity wells to control the many sources of capacity wells to control the many sources of dry sand/silica dust.dry sand/silica dust.

Dust emissions for many processes are Dust emissions for many processes are not considered by the DNR. These not considered by the DNR. These include,include, the large surge pile of sand; the large surge pile of sand; frac and waste sand movement between frac and waste sand movement between

operations; andoperations; andemissions from the road.emissions from the road.

These emissions would include crystalline These emissions would include crystalline silica, a known human carcinogen.silica, a known human carcinogen.

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

There are few silica exposure limits for the There are few silica exposure limits for the general public. However, the State of general public. However, the State of California has adopted a level of 3 ug/mCalifornia has adopted a level of 3 ug/m33 as as safe.safe.

The DNR estimated a maximum concentration The DNR estimated a maximum concentration of silica from the Chippewa Falls plant of 4 of silica from the Chippewa Falls plant of 4 ug/mug/m3 3 (even without considering “fugitive” (even without considering “fugitive” dust). However, DNR staff took the position dust). However, DNR staff took the position that silica cannot be regulated at this time.that silica cannot be regulated at this time.

The Trempealeau County Environment The Trempealeau County Environment and Land Committee set a “goal” of 30 and Land Committee set a “goal” of 30 ug/mug/m3 3 PM PM1010 for the Preston/Blair sand for the Preston/Blair sand

plant.plant.

Diesel exhaust from truck traffic is Diesel exhaust from truck traffic is carcinogenic.carcinogenic.

Sensitive receptors (children, elderly, Sensitive receptors (children, elderly, those living in health care facilities) should those living in health care facilities) should be considered.be considered.

Haddad and Dones, IAEA

Prior to any permit issuance, perform a Prior to any permit issuance, perform a risk assessment to include the following:risk assessment to include the following:Estimate exposure to crystalline silica and Estimate exposure to crystalline silica and

compare this to a risk standard, such as the compare this to a risk standard, such as the California OEHHA 3 ug/mCalifornia OEHHA 3 ug/m33 limit. 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 Consider sensitive groups who could be

affected.affected.

Crispin H. Pierce, Ph.D.Crispin H. Pierce, Ph.D. Associate Professor / Program DirectorAssociate Professor / Program Director Department of Public Health ProfessionsDepartment of Public Health Professions 244 Nursing244 Nursing University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 (715) 836-5589 piercech@uwec.edu(715) 836-5589 piercech@uwec.eduhttp://www.uwec.edu/piercechhttp://www.uwec.edu/ph/enph/

Photo: OHVEC.org