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What’s in the air near sand mines

Dr. Crispin Pierce will present “What’s in the Air Around Frac Sand Plants?” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Hosted by Winchester Academy, the program is the second in a three-part series on frac sand mining. 

Pierce is an associate professor and program director, Environmental Public Health Program, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Concerned that environmental problems are often also public health problems, Pierce has done intensive research to document silica dust from the frac sand mining industry in Wisconsin. 

He will present a summary of existing research, basics about airborne particulates, and their health effects. He’ll discuss how these particles are generated and can be released during frac sand mining, processing and transporting activities.

“Air measurements from the Wisconsin DNR, industry and our lab will be shared and compared to health standards,” Pierce said. 
Finally, suggestions on how citizens can become better informed and influence local health policies will be presented.

Pierce has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, including a recent survey of fine particulates in the air around frac sand facilities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

His academic interest in biology and bioenvironmental studies led him to earn his doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of California at San Francisco.

His other areas of interest include the health effects of toxic substances and measurement of heavy metals in hair and toenails as predictors of disease appearance. 

Pierce’s program is free and open to the public. Cookies and coffee are served at 6 p.m., and the program begins promptly at 6:30.
Winchester Academy program expenses are funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations.

For more information about Winchester Academy and the Winter/Spring 2015 program series, visit www.winchesteracademywaupaca.org or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 75-258-2917 or [email protected].

 
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