The study, conducted by NIOSH in cooperation with oil and
gas industry partners, sampled the air at 11 sites in five states where
hydraulic fracturing operations were taking place. Researchers identified seven
primary sources of silica dust exposure during these operations and found that
workers downwind of sand mover and blender operations, especially during hot
loading, had the highest silica exposures. Workers exposed to silica every day
are at greater risk of developing silicosis, which can cause inflammation and
scarring of the lungs, lung cancer and other diseases.
The alert describes how a combination of engineering
controls, work practices, protective equipment and product substitution, along
with worker training, can protect workers exposed to silica.
