Biological effects of inhaled hydraulic fracturing sand dust VII. Neuroinflammation and altered synaptic protein expression.

ABSTRACT: Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a process used to recover oil and gas from shale rock formation during unconventional drilling. Pressurized liquids containing water and sand (proppant) are used to fracture the oil- and natural gas-laden rock. The transportation and handling of proppant at well sites generate dust aerosols; thus, there is concern of worker exposure to such fracking sand dusts (FSD) by inhalation. FSD are generally composed of respirable crystalline silica and other minerals native to the geological source of the proppant material. Field investigations by NIOSH suggest that the levels of respirable crystalline silica at well sites can exceed the permissible exposure limits. Thus, from an occupational safety perspective, it is important to evaluate the potential toxicologi

SUBMITTER: Sriram K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7758814 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature