7/29/2019 MDH Frac Sand Info Sheet
1/2
Site Assessment and Consul tation Unit
625 Robert St. N, P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
www.health.state.mn.us
J uly 2012Frac Sand Mining in Minnesota - English
Frac Sand is
crystalline silica
small, uniformly round
quartz grains
very strong and crush
resistant
Frac Sand Mining in MinnesotaFracking, or hydraulic fracturing,
is an oil and gas extraction method that uses hydraulic pressure
tobreak up rocks. Frac sand is used to keep the fractures in the
rock open so the oil or gas can flow
well and be collected efficiently. This type of oil and gas
extraction is not being done in Minnesota,
but because of Minnesotas geologic history, the high quality
sand used for fracking is plentiful in
parts of the state and easily available for mining.
How are people exposed to frac sand and is there a health
concern?
Crystalline silica is a substance of concern for human health.
Dust sized
silica particles, invisible to the naked eye, are generated
during the
mining process and can be breathed into the body where they
reach deep
into the lungs and can then pass from the lungs to other organs
in the
body through the blood stream.
People who work in the fracking or mining industry can be
exposed to
crystalline silica during the course of their work. These
exposures can
range from low to high concentrations.
People living downwind of frac sand mining, processing or
hauling operations could be exposed to low
concentrations of airborne crystalline silica.
What are the possible health concerns from exposure to
crystalline silica?
Diseases associated with crystalline silica exposure
include:
o Diseases of the lungs including silicosis, emphysema, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease,tuberculosis, and lung cancer.
o Immune system diseasesDisease risk is related to both the
levels and duration of crystalline silica exposure. The onset of
disease may
occur long after the exposure has stopped.
At high concentrations in the air: The effect of crystalline
silica in humans has been well studied. The USOccupational Safety
and Health Administration does have a permissible exposure limit
for crystalline silica set
for occupational exposures. The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health also has a recommended
exposure limit. There is research which suggests the current
occupational limits may not be protective enough.
At lower concentrations in the air: We do not currently know
what impacts silica has at lower concentrations
such as those typically found in ambient air. This is an area of
on-going research.
7/29/2019 MDH Frac Sand Info Sheet
2/2
Frac Sand Mining in Minnesota Page 2
J uly 2012Frac Sand Mining in Minnesota - English
What are other poss ible health concerns from frac sand
mining?
Because frac sand mining operations operate for many hours a
day, there may be an increase in health and
nuisance issues including:
o truck traffic, dust, noise, risk of accidents and increased
levels of engine exhaust.o
emissions from the mining process (blasting, digging equipment
and fixed machinery) can result in moredust and chemicals being
released into the air.
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a process that could lead to a
more complete evaluation of all of the risks
associated with the frac sand mining process. For more
information about Health Impact Assessments, see
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hia/
Will frac sand mining or processing affect the drink ing
water?
o Any mine may create a pathway for chemicals and/or bacteria to
more easilyreach the groundwater.
o The risks to drinking water depend on how close the mining
operations are tothe water table, the use of heavy equipment, leaks
and spills of chemicals, andrunoff from contaminant sources or
illegally dumped waste in the mine.
o Groundwater near frac sand mines may become slightly more
acidic (lower in pH). This may causeminerals (like iron and
manganese) to more easily dissolve into the water. These minerals
can cause
water to have unpleasant taste and odor and may cause staining.
MDH recommends that pH be included
in the water monitoring list for groundwater near frac sand
mining operations.
o Some frac sand mines use products called flocculants to remove
silt and clay in the sand washingprocess. These products are
generally considered to be environmentally safe; however, they
often
contain low concentrations of chemicals (acrylamide and DADMAC)
which are of potential concern.
MDH recommends monitoring of the groundwater at facilities where
these chemicals are to be used toensure safe drinking water levels
are not exceeded.
Will frac sand mining affect well water?
Mining can remove large volumes of groundwater and has the
potential to impact nearby wells. Impacts could
include the lowering of water levels, possibly even causing a
nearby well to go dry.
o The Minnesota DNR reviews large water removal activities to
ensure that groundwater use will notharm wells in the area.
o MDH evaluates whether there are any potential risks to
community water supply wells.o MDH recommends a number of actions
to prevent or reduce the potential for pollutants to enter the
groundwater and water quality monitoring to protect nearby
drinking water wells.
Contact with questions or for more information:MDH - Site
Assessment and Consultation Unit
Phone: 651-201-4897 or toll-free 1-800-657-3908 and press "4" to
leave a message
Email:[email protected] visit:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/index.html
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hia/http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hia/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hia/
