Last month, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced proposed new rules for rock crushing facilities designed to reduce dust and improve air quality in nearby communities. The rock crushing facilities are described by CDPH as businesses that take stone, concrete, brick and other hard materials and process them into smaller pieces that can then be used as fill material at construction sites and in road projects.
The proposed new rules from CDPH would include requiring all rock crushing facilities to:
- Conduct continuous air monitoring and prepare detailed reporting four times each year to facilitate compliance monitoring by CDPH
- Notify CDPH any time the monitors detect dust above a threshold, and also have a plan in place to investigate and address such occurrences
- Maintain annual plans detailing steps they will take to make sure dust does not leave their sites
- Conduct sampling of processed materials for lead to make sure they are safe for offsite use, as well as dust sampling to identify harmful components such as lead, asbestos and silica
One of the big concerns whenever these types of materials are crushed is exposure to respirable dusts for both workers and those living or working in the area, said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. For example, breathing elevated levels of particles containing crystalline silica can cause silicosis, a lung disease that can lead to disability and death. It could also cause lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease.
EMSL Analytical, with a testing laboratory in Hillsdale, Illinois, and dozens more across North America, offers air, dust and material testing services for crystalline silica, lead, asbestos and other exposure risks associated with rock crushing facilities. They also provide sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE). These services help companies comply with existing health and safety regulations, and the proposed new rules.
To learn more about testing for respirable dusts and other exposure risks, or for access to sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and PPE, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email [email protected] .
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
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