Airborne Particulate Sampling using Direct Reading Instruments around

Airborne Particulate Sampling using Direct Reading Instruments around Frac Sand Facilities BLOOMER, WI Jacob Kentnich and Ella Keenan| Environmental Public Health Dust. Trak II PM 2. 5 Readings vs. EPA Standard 70 INTRODUCTION DIFFERENCES IN PM 2. 5 BY LOCATION The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) measures ambient air quality daily over a 24 hr period. These DNR measurements are used in our research as a baseline in order to determine if the air quality is impacted by the mining of frac sand. In general, we found a difference in PM 2. 5 when comparing the air quality around the Bloomer mine with the air quality of Eau Claire County. PURPOSE PM 2. 5 in Eau Claire County vs. Frac Sand Mine in Bloomer, WI 70 signifies the EPA’s annual standard of 12µg/m³ 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 60 20 50 PM 2. 5 (µg/m³) We study particulate matter that is of 2. 5 microns of size (PM 2. 5) because these microscopic particles embed themselves deep in the lung tissue. Frac sand, also known as silica sand, is a known human carcinogen which can lead to lung cancer and silicosis. We use a direct reading instrument, the Dust. Trak II, to monitor the ambient air quality of communities that are susceptible to frac sand dust. 60 PM 2. 5 (µg/m³) The goal of our research is to identify any possible acute or chronic health outcomes from the inhalation of frac sand particulates. There are currently 135 sites in the state of Wisconsin collectively mining 30 million tons of sand per year. 65 15 40 10 30 5 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Sampling Dates (10/30/2014 - 11/29/2015) DNR Dust. Trak II DUSTTRAK II Fine granules of silica sand FIELD WORK METHODS The Dust. Trak II is a direct reading instrument that monitors PM 2. 5. Every time we go into the field, we calibrate the instrument to a specific flow rate (3 L/min). The flow rate is the amount of air that moves through the machine in a given amount of time. Before sampling, the Dust. Trak II is zero calibrated to ensure an accurate measurement. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Sampling Dates (10/30/2014 - 11/29/2015) 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 RESULTS Comparisons are made with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) database on daily air quality to determine if the quality of air is of difference around frac sand facilities. On average, PM 2. 5 should not exceed a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. Our average of 55 samples of PM 2. 5 readings was 10. 73 micrograms per cubic meter with a standard deviation of 0. 0114 (range 1 -63). Every 6 days, we use the Dust. Trak II to sample air near the frac sand mine in Bloomer, WI. This cycle is consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 6 -day sampling schedule. Dust. Trak II air sampling machine Frac sand being collected into mounds Superior Sands mine in Bloomer, WI Map of Wisconsin Frac Sand Facilities We thank the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for supporting this research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this poster.