Comprehensive Guide to Minimizing Respirable Silica Dust Exposure in Hydraulic Fracturing
Part Four – What You Can’t See Can Hurt You
The naked human eye can see airborne particles as small as ten microns (smaller particles require the aid of magnification). Since respirable silica particles have a median size of five microns, the human eye cannot detect them individually. But, as the concentration of microscopic silica dust increases in the air, the sheer numbers of particles appear as a cloud of dust because they interfere with the transmission of light. Although difficult to detect in the daytime, respirable silica dust can be easily seen under the backdrop of night with the aid of powerful work lights. Scientists call this phenomenon the Tyndall effect. The Tyndall effect helps you see clouds of respirable silica dust at night that you may not be able to see during the day. But, even if you can’t see the respirable silica dust, the fact is that these tiny particles can be inhaled into the deepest parts of workers’ lungs and can cause long-term, irreversible, incurable health effects. According to NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs), a worker should not inhale more than five micrograms per work shift (that’s about enough dust to cover of the nose of President Roosevelt on a dime). Breathing these tiny doses of respirable silica can start the irreversible, incurable processes of of COPD, cancer, silicosis or congestive heart failure.
Next: Part Five – How is Silica Sand Used in Oil and Natural Gas Exploration?
© 2013 Donald Beaver – HalenHardy, LLC – All rights reserved. HalenHardy LLC, specializes in protecting workers from airborne dangerous dusts and operates from its headquarters in Bellwood, PA, near the epicenter of Marcellus Shale exploration & production region. Our innovative MASHH Mobile Air Showers by HalenHardy protect workers by removing hazardous dust from their clothing. HalenHardy is the founding member of the Clean Team Dust Alliance, a group of companies focused on substantially reducing respirable silica dust exposures in the Oil & Gas Exploration & Production industry. For more information, please see our website www.MASHH.com Contact Donny Beaver at dbeaver@halenhardy.com or 814-571-9779