Research

Updated June 3, 2025

There is extensive research on the dangers of Crystalline Silica and other particulate matter, especially for workers. You can use the information below to prepare a PUBLIC COMMENT or speak at the PUBLIC MEETING. However, please note that the TCEQ does not consider occupational hazards when reviewing this air quality permit.

“TCEQ’s jurisdiction is established by the Legislature and is limited to the issues set forth in statute. Accordingly, TCEQ does not have jurisdiction to enforce employee safety regulations promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) or to consider employee health when determining whether to approve or deny an application for an air authorization.” —Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Research Links

• Particle Pollution and Your Health (PDF): Learn who is at risk from exposure to particle pollution, what health effects you may experience due to particle exposure, and simple measures you can take to reduce your risk.

• Ambient Monitoring of Particulates, Including Crystalline Silica, Near APO Facilities Final Report, October 2024. https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/toxicology/research-projects/finalapo.pdf. TCEQ’s Executive Director referred to this study in a response to comments about Crystalline Silica.

• Research on Health Effects from Air Pollution | US EPA

• Healthy Heart Toolkit and Research | US EPA

• Particulate Matter (PM) Basics | US EPA

• Cement plant emissions and health effects in the general population

• Cement Manufacturing Enforcement Initiative | US EPA

• Impact of fugitive dust emissions from cement plants on nearby communities

• EPA's Fugitive Dust Control Best Practices

• EPA Proposes to Strengthen Air Quality Standards to Protect the Public

• In Dallas, EPA casts a net for answers on how pollution from concrete batch plants affects people’s health

• Silica | Toxicological Profile | ATSDR

• Danger in the Air | Environmental Working Group

• Cement Dust - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

• Crystalline Silica | NIOSH | CDC

• Silica, Crystalline - Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Residents fight proposed cement kiln in Grayson County

• Concrete Ideas | New technology and methods may help clean up the cement and concrete industries—two of Texas’ most conspicuous polluters.

• Recycled crushed concrete: engineering and environmental issues

• Particulate matter collection by honey bees

• Guidance for Controlling Silica Dust from Stone Crushing with Water Spray Technology

• Recycled crushed concrete: engineering and environmental issues

• It’s hard to breathe with a concrete plant in your backyard | Kinder Institute for Urban Research

• Harris County sues Texas Commission on Environmental Quality over concrete crushing facility health risks

• Silica and Worker Health

• Understanding Silicosis

• Consequences of exposure to construction dust

• Silica Background | Occupational Knowledge International

• Silica, Crystalline - Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Cement and concrete manufacture - Lung disease

• Health hazards of cement dust - PubMed

• Concrete Dust and Related Diseases - James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C.

• Deadly Dust Found In Construction | Chart Industries

• https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3221_Concrete.pdf

• Cement Dust - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

• Air pollution and the risk of dementia | Alzheimer's Society

• Air pollution linked to dementia cases | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• Cement-Factory-PM-10-PM-2.5-Health-Risks

• Genes, Air Pollution Combine to Raise Lupus Risk

• Cut Carbon and Toxic Pollution, Make Cement Clean and Green

• Bad Air Quality in Pregnancy Hikes Cerebral Palsy Risk in Offspring

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⠀EPA

• Air Quality Designations for Particle Pollution | US EPA

• Particulate Matter (PM) Basics | US EPA

• About AirNow

• AQI Basics

• EPA in Texas | US EPA

• Air Issues in Texas | US EPA

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⠀Research Sources

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA

• Academy of IRMBR

• US Census, Denison, TX, at City-Data

• GreenSource DFW

• earthX