Agenda - 09-06-2012 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

38 8. The predominant wind directions centered on the EDD area vary between roughly northeast and southwest, with lesser amounts from the west and east. This directs the fine particles across and through major residential areas 100% of the time. 9. PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants have the ability to enter deeply into the human lung and remain there, causing physical damage, blockage of the airways, and chemical reactions with the fluids of the lung. Lung damage may be acute, (causing immediate effects from a large, short-term exposure); subchronic, (causing damage and disease at low rates over somewhat longer exposures); or chronic, (causing damage and disease at later dates due to repeated exposures over the lifetime of the individual). 10. Adverse reactions of the lung, throat, and nasal passages are common following exposure to airborne particles. Examples include our annual spring and summer exposures to broadleaf weed, grass, and tree pollen giving rise to allergic responses. Significant physical and chemical reactions to mineral particles such as are in fine-ground stone and concrete dust include asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, silicosis, reduced pulmonary function, and ultimately, cancers of various types. The elderly, children, and people with chronic lung disease, influenza, or asthma, are especially sensitive to the effects of particulate matter. 11. Fugitive dust from crushed gravel processing, stone-grinding, concrete-grinding, mixing or crushing, and pulverized road sand and gravel contain high quantities of shardlike, sharp-edged particles of glasslike material that easily penetrate and damage interior lung tissue. Sample studies done by the USEPA for typical EDE- 2 facilities show that very fine dust can be emitted from operations and storage activities at rates of several pounds per acre to double-digit quantities per day. 6