NIOSH Technology Can Reduce Silica Exposure at Fracturing Sites
NIOSH has developed a “mini-baghouse” which helps protect workers in the oil and gas industry
NIOSH has announced that the “mini-baghouse” can protect oil and gas extraction workers by controlling silica dust at hydraulic fracturing worksites.
The mini-baghouse was designed to control dust emissions from hatches on top of sand movers, a major source of silica dust. NIOSH field-tested the prototype, collecting 200 air samples in 12 locations with and without the mini-baghouse. Results found that the mini-baghouse reduced the amount of airborne respirable crystalline silica by 79-99%.
The results also showed that the particles captured were considered “extremely fine,” the type of dust that is highly respirable and penetrates the lungs.