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Fracking Sand Threatens Gas Well Workers, Researcher Says

BloombergNews -- Sand dust created from the hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from rock is one of the most dangerous threats to workers at wells blossoming across the U.S., a government safety researcher said.

About four out of five air samples from well sites in five states in the past two years exceeded recommended limits for silica particles, said Eric Esswein, an industrial hygienist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The particles in sand dust created during the so-called fracking process can lodge in the lungs and cause potentially fatal silicosis, he said today at a conference sponsored by the Institute of Medicine.

Drilling companies and their workers do a better job handling potentially toxic chemicals than they do sand dust, for which “there’s really no inhe

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Submitted May 01, 2012 By: KAR120CSII

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jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,748 Points:589,795 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 6:23:45 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse frack baby frack
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,345 Points:1,241,375 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:06:28 PM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse Well, duh. Any drilling company that doesn't manage risks to its employees by providing proper PPE deserves to go out of business.
apiergallini Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:389 Points:244,855 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:46:55 PM Ignore apiergallini Report Abuse Just one more in a long line of perks from fracking.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:10,362 Points:1,978,010 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 5:39:33 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse Any place that I worked, or had work done, that had silica dust in the air required a pressurised full body suit for anyone in the area. Dust masks or respirators don't cut it. That isn't gonna work on a drilling rig.
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,730 Points:815,280 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:57:59 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse As with any occupation, there are risks here. Dust masks and respirators ought to make a difference.
bikerchicklette Champion Author Washington Posts:5,889 Points:1,296,595 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:20:09 AM Ignore bikerchicklette Report Abuse interesting
bladecutter Champion Author Houston Posts:4,846 Points:982,125 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:51:20 AM Ignore bladecutter Report Abuse Politics & politicians.
WaWanderer Champion Author Washington Posts:4,326 Points:584,000 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:43:44 AM Ignore WaWanderer Report Abuse There are risks with any occupation. Proper training and proper workplace management is important. The employees must pay attention and watch out for themselves and not expect someone else to take care of them.
putterstoy All-Star Author Texas Posts:517 Points:83,080 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:41:17 AM Ignore putterstoy Report Abuse Does not sound good!
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,794 Points:1,841,500 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:39:46 AM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse There are dangers in every job.
gabisgram Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,186 Points:910,300 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:39:33 AM Ignore gabisgram Report Abuse This is simple to fix. Wear a mask.
nb52 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,770 Points:1,544,900 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:39:32 AM Ignore nb52 Report Abuse Sand dust, of any kind is not good for humans. Good alert, you overpaid bureaucrat!
cigarman409 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,426 Points:1,824,685 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:39:05 AM Ignore cigarman409 Report Abuse yup!!!! bad all around
fordfan1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,082 Points:1,889,065 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:38:57 AM Ignore fordfan1 Report Abuse They need to be wearing respiratory protection!!!!!
quasar502 Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,573 Points:799,400 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:38:38 AM Ignore quasar502 Report Abuse Sounds like quite the hazardous environment.
fillerupyeoww Champion Author Columbus Posts:5,869 Points:1,647,490 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:37:50 AM Ignore fillerupyeoww Report Abuse Better have your well water tested.
dave364 Champion Author Lansing Posts:4,939 Points:1,435,470 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:36:19 AM Ignore dave364 Report Abuse get it fixed
GasPriceHelp4u Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,677 Points:566,850 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:35:03 AM Ignore GasPriceHelp4u Report Abuse All the health hazards need to be looked into cracking industry!!!
golftellowcat Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,437 Points:690,925 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:35:02 AM Ignore golftellowcat Report Abuse ok
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,726 Points:1,263,540 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:34:33 AM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse safety equipment should be used.
TerryLee Champion Author Ohio Posts:14,600 Points:2,790,150 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:34:19 AM Ignore TerryLee Report Abuse not sure you really can believe anything comming from the Obama poeple
muddawgs All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:988 Points:225,630 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:33:16 AM Ignore muddawgs Report Abuse THIS IS WHAT A RESPIRATOR IS MADE FOR DUMMY!!!!!! GEEZ!!!! IT IS COMMON SENSE
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,549 Points:1,207,790 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:33:10 AM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse Sound a lot like black lung.
ultrarnnr Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,574 Points:530,110 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:32:39 AM Ignore ultrarnnr Report Abuse ok
prcoqui Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,945 Points:1,672,225 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:32:12 AM Ignore prcoqui Report Abuse Get them some good respirators.
fukami Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,615 Points:449,600 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:32:09 AM Ignore fukami Report Abuse Is it me, or is this just "B o r i n g"?
lbrinkmn Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,724 Points:1,834,790 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:30:33 AM Ignore lbrinkmn Report Abuse ok
BigBearHug Champion Author Amarillo Posts:2,209 Points:486,080 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:30:17 AM Ignore BigBearHug Report Abuse yawn
bpj13 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,265 Points:872,500 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:29:51 AM Ignore bpj13 Report Abuse Every job has risks. Can't use NG without it.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,559 Points:1,913,270 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:28:55 AM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse More contrived crap from the enviornmindless tree huggers...getting fracking sick and tired of these greenies hollaring about the "sky is falling", what a bunch of losers.
o_zzy Rookie Author Toronto Posts:6 Points:9,805 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:28:49 AM Ignore o_zzy Report Abuse ok
NJColt Champion Author New Jersey Posts:12,630 Points:2,641,035 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:28:39 AM Ignore NJColt Report Abuse Good luck with that.
rogerparry Champion Author Florida Posts:9,550 Points:1,914,480 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:26:40 AM Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse Bad news.
Aliphatic All-Star Author Virginia Posts:775 Points:1,277,255 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:54 AM Ignore Aliphatic Report Abuse Drilling in earth creates dust. Imagine that! Idiots!
4064BORI Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,381 Points:419,155 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:52 AM Ignore 4064BORI Report Abuse Ok
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,211 Points:1,730,630 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:27 AM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse The next disaster in the making
alphanyr Champion Author Connecticut Posts:4,810 Points:673,800 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:09 AM Ignore alphanyr Report Abuse then don't do it
WonderfulMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:11,636 Points:1,784,960 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:09 AM Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse OSHA and the EPA will be eliminated by Republicans, and silicosis will be just an unproven theory.
radstoy Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,459 Points:3,220,705 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:25:07 AM Ignore radstoy Report Abuse beware government "experts."
kobes1 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,482 Points:555,660 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:23:55 AM Ignore kobes1 Report Abuse Ok
tcohio Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,702 Points:807,045 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:23:09 AM Ignore tcohio Report Abuse always a reason to not gain energy independence...
dongo50 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:14,678 Points:2,378,095 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:23:01 AM Ignore dongo50 Report Abuse are they snortin it?
stephen2155 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,019 Points:656,305 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:23:00 AM Ignore stephen2155 Report Abuse The sun also harms sunbathers.
subnuke Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,498 Points:1,507,415 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:22:39 AM Ignore subnuke Report Abuse More EPA nonsense.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,568 Points:1,162,485 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:21:28 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse As a child it was asbestos and now it is sand. Safety for your workers has to be a priority.
liao Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,437 Points:1,426,285 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:21:07 AM Ignore liao Report Abuse It is similar to the work hazard from the dust in coal mine, cement factory, asbestos mine, etc.
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:8,466 Points:1,738,980 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:17:55 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse They should have safety precautions in place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ironbox_sara Champion Author Albany Posts:9,581 Points:2,236,805 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:16:29 AM Ignore ironbox_sara Report Abuse They have respirators for everything. Give me a break. I have my HAZWOPER class today.
epf Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:6,324 Points:1,889,405 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 5:43:16 AM Ignore epf Report Abuse Thank you tomok
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,962 Points:2,343,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 3:51:50 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Fracking Sand contains silica that can cause Silicosis of the lungs. When Mount St. Helens exploded in 1980, people were exposed to the same thing – sand particles and the silicosis in the air. It was recommended to wear approved dust masks (MSA standards) when outside. Fracking sand also contains pollutants released from the underground rock and brought to the surface: Lead, Methane, various gasses and chemicals and whatever else contained in the underground rock and sand deposits. Protect the surface and ground waters, people and animals at all times from fracking! When the twin towers in NYC where brought down, the buildings contained sprayed on Asbestos to keep the heat off the steel beams from possible fires inside the building. The firemen and rescue workers were exposed to Asbestos dust and they were Not told to wear respirators during their work. Now they suffer from lung damage and Asbestosis. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible! The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!