American Lung Association Understanding Silicosis
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock, and mineral ores such as quartz. It mostly affects workers exposed to silica dust in occupations such mining, glass manufacturing, and foundry work. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to breathe.
Particle pollution, also called particulate matter or PM, is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air. Some particles are released directly from a specific source, while others form in complicated chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Particles come in a wide range of sizes. Particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is less than the width of a single human hair.
Health effects for the population living near a cement plant: An epidemiological assessment
Epidemiological studies have shown the association between the exposure to air pollution and several adverse health effects. To evaluate the possible acute health effects of air pollution due to the emissions of a cement plant in two small municipalities in Italy (Mazzano and Rezzato), a case–control study design was used. Abstract
Cement Manufacturing Enforcement Initiative
The cement manufacturing industry was an EPA New Source Review/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (NSR/PSD) national enforcement initiative in fiscal years 2008-2010 and was continued as a Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources national enforcement initiative for fiscal years 2011-2013. The cement sector is the third largest industrial source of pollution, emitting more than 500,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Beginning in 2008, EPA has pursued a coordinated, integrated compliance and enforcement strategy to address Clean Air Act New Source Review compliance issues at the nation’s cement manufacturing facilities. On this page:
Silica dust is a known carcinogen, according to the latest update in the 2014 report on carcinogens by the National Institute of Health. Silica dust is produced by frac sand mining operations as a waste byproduct. Most studies are on sillicosis and cancer linked to occupational exposure, but the report acknowledges that “residents near quarries and sand and gravel operations potentially are exposed to respirable crystalline silica.”
Environmental Impacts of Aggregate and Stone Mining New Mexico Case Study
The primary environmental impacts from aggregate, stone, and industrial mineral mines in New Mexico are degraded air quality from stack emissions and disturbed areas on the mine and groundwater usage. Surface and groundwater quality impacts from such mines are relatively benign in New Mexico due to the semi-arid climate and lack of perennial streams. Other environmental impacts include increased traffic on new or improved or existing roads; cumulative impacts as construction materials are hauled, stockpiled, and spread on highway and building construction projects; and aesthetic degradation caused by both active and abandoned aggregate, stone, and industrial mineral mines in major viewsheds.
These FAQ’s address some questions from home owners who live near blasting projects.
Why do I feel the blasting?
Most of the energy from a blast is used to break rock, but some energy will travel from the blast site in the form of ground and air waves. Each of these can cause your house to vibrate or shake. Human beings are very sensitive to all vibrations. It is possible that you will feel or hear your house shake from the blasting, even at very low levels.
Quarry Blasting Is Damaging Homes
Angry O’Fallon, Missouri residents confronted their elected officials Thursday night, demanding a probe into quarry blasting that they say is destroying their homes. Gary and Barbara Rowlett are among the homeowners complaining about damage. The Rowletts say they have cracks in their walls, and nails popping through their dry wall, all because of ground shaking caused by explosions at a quarry owned by the Fred Weber Company.
Executive Summary/Introduction
This report, which was completed at the request of the Richland Township Planning Commission, provides an estimation of the economic impact of the proposed Stoneco
Gravel Mine Operation on Richland Township.1 The following impacts are assessed in this study:
In addition, we carefully reviewed the economic impact reports provided by Stoneco for consideration.
In the preparation of this impact analysis we used nationally-recognized modeling techniques that are the standard for academic research.
We estimate that the proposed gravel mine will have a significant negative impact on housing values in Richland Township. Once in full operation, the gravel mine will reduce residential property values in Richland and Richland Township by $31.5 million dollars, adversely impacting the values of over 1,400 homes, which represent over 60 percent of the Richland residences.
In addition, the mining operation will have an insignificant impact on area employment and personal income. At most, we estimate that only 2 additional jobs will be created in Kalamazoo County due to the mining operation. The mining operation serves the local market, and analysis based on the Institute’s econometric regional model for the Kalamazoo region shows that it will bring in an insignificant amount of new income into the area’s economy, $58,000. Although the mine will employ an estimated 5 to 10 workers and require drivers to haul an estimated 115 to 120 truck loads of gravel per day, most all of these jobs would simply “displace” any employment growth in the county’s 15 existing gravel pits.
Placitas is at a crossroads—and decisions made at the Federal and State levels in the near future will determine if this community is to flourish as one of New Mexico’s economic stars or to devolve as Albuquerque’s gravel pit.
The following paper, a collaborative effort of the Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ES‐CA) and Las Placitas Association (LPA), describes the Placitas value proposition. It also provides details on the consequences of the additional sand and gravel mining proposed in the draft BLM Rio Puerco Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the BLM Buffalo Tract in Unit 5. The proposed mining is inconsistent with County, Tribal and community planning objectives for the area. Adverse impacts are expected on the economic recovery plans at State and County levels, coupled with a negative impact on the Federal Treasury. Damage to the public health and welfare, as well as our natural resources, is anticipated. Value destruction to one of the State’s most desirable residential areas would unfavorably affect current residents and discourage in‐ migration and retiree relocation. It would also be a detriment to environmental justice.
New Mexico is assured of a lasting legacy from the decision to include sand and gravel mining on the Placitas Buffalo Tract in the final BLM Rio Puerco Resource Management Plan (RMP).
Mitigating the Effects of Gravel Mining upon Rural New Mexico
In the mid-1990s a small gravel sifting operation, located a mile north of the village of Cerrillos NM, was partnered by a much larger gravel operator and renamed Cerrillos Gravel Products. A rock crusher was brought in and soon hundreds of 18 wheel trucks were hauling gravel through the narrow roads of the village.
This heavy industrial traffic completely overwhelmed the peace and quiet of village life, changing its character overnight from rural to industrial. Dust, diesel, decibels and danger were the “four D’s” that dominated what was once a rural village that hoped to attract tourists traveling the nearby National Scenic Byway, the Turquoise Trail.
Economic development is one of the main objectives of developed and developing nations worldwide. Development comes with growth of urban areas. Urban growth is achieved through sand and gravel mining for construction of modern, attractive and durable structures. The study examined positive and negative environmental impacts of the continuous removal of river sand, pit sand and gravel from sampled rivers and open areas surrounding Gaborone developing Central Business District, malls and private properties in city.