Fracking Dust Study No Surprise to Wyoming Officials

Wyoming oil and gas officials say they weren’t surprised by findings of new research on fracking dust.

Last week, two federal agencies released studies on the dangers of exposure to silica sand, used in hydraulic fracturing or fracking. The studies were done at wells in five states, but not Wyoming.

Nearly a third of samples taken by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health were 10 times or more above recommended limits for silica.

EnCana spokesman Doug Hock told the Casper Star-Tribune in a story Monday that the company has done its own overexposure measurements and adopted its own dust control measures.

The Petroleum Association of Wyoming says it’s taking the new research seriously and will make sure its members know about it.