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Eagle Mountain Major Gravel Operations <br />High Level HSE Review <br />1 , A EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAJOR GRAVEL OPERATION <br />HAZARDS <br />General. The plant would inevitably introduce risks to the safety and health of neighboring <br />residents and wildlife in an agriculture zoned area. Potential hazards include dust, noise, <br />truck/diesel fumes, increased traffic and other offensive and hazardous intrusions. The sound- <br />levels are an area of concern due to the potential to increase the noise pollution in the surrounding <br />area, potentially affecting residences and natural wildlife. <br />The proposed concrete plant will be working primarily with concrete dust and diesel trucks, both <br />of which are extremely hazardous to human health since they damage lung tissue due to their <br />microscopic and toxic characteristics. <br />Dust and Fumes. Gravel and concrete batch plants produce tremendous amounts of dust, most <br />notably crystalline silica, which has been designated a Level 1 carcinogen by the International <br />Agency for Research on Cancer. Dust can easily disperse off-site affecting humans as well as <br />wildlife. In addition to the rock crushing and screening activities generating dust, vehicle traffic <br />onsite (from both trucks and forklifts) and offsite (from trucks) further crushes the gravel/dust <br />increasing the potential for higher respirable fraction (small particle size) of dust to be generated. <br />It is the respirable fraction that can go deep within lung tissue and be the most hazardous in <br />regards to health effects. <br />In addition, there are reports that concrete batch/gravel facilities may pose health and <br />environmental hazards/exposures to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen that has caused <br />cancer and other health problems both by migrating to water supplies as well as through airborne <br />particulates. In a study conducted by Turk K, Rietschel RL, Effect of processing cement to <br />concrete on hexavalent chromium levels, it was found that dry and wet cement in the U. S. <br />contains hexavalent chromium, with wet cement having the highest levels. Water liberates the <br />hexavalent chromium, making drainage and migration of particulates off-site areas of concern. In <br />addition to carcinogenic properties, hexavelent chromium is a skin sensitizer and can cause <br />dermatitis. <br />It is anticipated that the fuel source for any generators, compressors, etc, will be diesel or gasoline <br />and mercury will not be an issue. However, dependant upon the fuel source used, the hazards can <br />vary. For example, mercury can be an issue at coal fired facilities. <br />The increase in diesel truck traffic at the site and surrounding areas and resulting diesel fumes has <br />the potential to threaten the public health as prolonged exposure to diesel fumes can lead to <br />coughing, breathlessness, may increase the risk of lung cancer, degrade the immune system, and <br />induced allergic reactions, including asthma. Roads off-site of the facility will be used by large <br />and noisy cement trucks servicing the facility, with a truck entering or exiting the facility on a <br />regular basis, carrying exceptionally heavy industrial loads of construction material and emitting <br />offensive, unhealthy, and unsafe fumes in a sensitive natural setting. <br />Additional issues. Other issues of concern include the following: <br />Unavailability at this time of a comprehensive environmental and health assessment from <br />the operator evaluating these issues. <br />Drainage plans <br />- I - <br />EXHIBIT D