Monitoring of airborne particulates near industrial silica sand mining and processing facilities

To quantify risk of ambient exposure to airborne particulates around industrial silica sand operations, this study used EPA-certified federal reference method monitors to measure the levels of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 particulate matter. The monitoring sites were chosen based upon EPA siting criteria, dichotomous samplers were calibrated before and after sampling, and pre- and post-weight filter weights were recorded. PM_2.5 levels were significantly higher (paired t-tests) at both sites - averages of 7.70 ± 6.15 and 22.7 ± 31.714;µg/m³ - than concurrent background levels of 5.11 and 6.57µg/m³ respectively; and 98^th percentile values were 24.9 and 111 µg/m³, respectively. Average PM₁₀ levels were 24.2 and 49.0 µg/m³, and second-highest annual levels were 45.5 and 69.1 µg/m³ (two years) and 62.9 ug/m³ (2015) and 61.5 ug/m³ (2016), respectively for the two sites. Neither precipitation nor wind speed or direction appeared to affect PM_2.5 or PM₁₀ concentrations.