Much of the time, reporting on this controversy meant searching for elusive answers — and for experts who had not already taken a side. This was especially true on the first story I worked on that explored residents’ concerns that dust from nearby mines could cause health problems.
Respirable crystalline silica — the type of dust — has been linked in workplace settings to serious health problems. But there was not nearly as much information about its effects on people living nearby. It was a complex story to report, because one side said there was very little to be concerned about while the other argued the issue was extremely important.
As the industry continues to evolve, such complexities will continue to shape how residents, and ultimately, reporters, view frac sand mining’s impact on lives and communities.