DustPRO™ Reduces Airborne Particles During All Sand Transfer Points

April 30, 2015 | By Business Wire News

RADNOR, Pa.

DustPRO, LLC announced today that its flagship product DustPRO™, a breakthrough silica dust-control solution developed by the Preferred Sands technology team in collaboration with The Dow Chemical Company [NYSE: DOW], consistently reduces crystalline silica exposure during all sand transfer points, based on recent Industrial Hygiene testing. In addition to being cost-effective and environmentally safe, these latest results reveal that 99 percent of 68 samples across four different frac sites were significantly below the current US OSHA Permissable Exposure Limits (PELs) (100 μg/m³) and illustrate that when using DustPRO™ operators can consistently meet the current US OSHA PELs for all personnel tested on site.

“These results are a game changer,” said Marc McQuesten, VP of DustPRO™. “In collaboration with our E&P and Oilfield Service partners, we are creating a safer work environment at the well site and the feedback from all on-site personnel working with DustPRO™ treated sand has been tremendous.”

Silica dust exposure is a major issue facing the oil and gas industry. A 2013 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study collected 111 air samples from 11 hydraulic fracturing sites across Arkansas, Colorado, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Texas to evaluate and understand respirable crystalline silica exposure for industry workers. NIOSH found that 51 percent of the samples collected exceeded OSHA’s current PELs.

“Silica exposure is an underserved health and safety issue facing the oil and gas industry today and has grown as silica sand intensive fracs have become more common, which is why we felt the need to develop DustPRO™,” commented McQuesten. “The health and safety of workers throughout the oil and gas industry remains the driving force behind each round of carefully devised updates and we’ll continue our efforts to deliver the most effective product possible.”

DustPRO™ was introduced to the marketplace as a Preferred Sands product in mid-2014 and has since grown into its own company based on market demand. DustPRO™ treated proppant is available through a proprietary application system installed at a sand plant or terminal. Nearly 300,000 tons of DustPRO™ treated sand have been pumped at oil and gas well sites across North America to date. DustPRO™ can currently deliver up to 3mm tons a year with plans to scale to 20mm tons a year by the end of 2015. DustPRO™ Application Units are being made available to all sand suppliers, terminal operators, service companies and E&P’s across North America.

For more information about DustPRO™’s dust-control solution, visit www.DustPRO.com.

About DustPRO™:

DustPRO™, headquartered in Radnor, PA, is an affiliate of Preferred Technology and is one of the hydraulic fracturing industry’s most innovative dust prevention technology companies. DustPRO™ is dedicated to providing a cost-effective and environmentally safe treated sand solution designed to reduce airborne particles during all sand transfer points, including pneumatic transfer. Since its launch in 2014, DustPRO™ has been committed to the protection of the environment as well as the health and safety of the communities it serves. www.DustPRO.com

About Preferred Technology:

Preferred Technology, headquartered in Radnor, PA, is an affiliate of Preferred Sands and is one of North America’s largest technology companies in the hydraulic fracturing industry. Preferred Technology is dedicated to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions through an entrepreneurial culture with superior customer service. In June 2013, Preferred Technology opened its Houston technology center, where the company continues to develop and grow innovative technology solutions, including DustPRO™, a cost effective dust prevention solution designed to help oilfield service, exploration and production companies meet and exceed current and future silica dust exposure limits. With the company’s continued dedication to sustainable product development, Preferred Technology is not only committed to the protection of the environment but also the health and safety of the communities it serves. www.preferredsands.com