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VIII. PUBLIC HEALTH ANALYSIS IS INADEQUATE The Draft EIR's analysis of Project impacts on public health fails to take into account health effects from crystalline silica. Further, the meteorological data used to model ambient air concentrations of diesel particulate matter are neither site-specific nor is the quality of the data acceptable for air dispersion modeling. The Draft EIR's _ public health risk assessment is therefore inadequate, as discussed in the comments below. VIII.A Crystalline Silica Omitted The Draft EIR evaluated the public health impacts of diesel particulate matter — ("DPM") emissions from on-site equipment(Impact 4.6.4) and haul trucks (Impact 4.6.6). The Draft EIR also evaluated the public health impacts of toxic air contaminant emissions from asphalt operations (Impact 4.6.7). However, the Draft EIR failed to evaluate the public health impacts of crystalline silica emissions from quarrying operations. Dusts generated during quarry operations are widely recognized as major B-57 sources of crystalline silica. (WHO 1997.66) Breathing dust that contains crystalline silica causes lung cancer, silicosis and lung fibrosis, or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lungs' ability to extract oxygen from the air. There is no cure for this disease. (OSHA 1996,67 IARC 1997.68) The International Agency for Research on Cancer("IARC") recently upgraded crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz to a Group 1 human carcinogen, its highest carcinogenic classification. Consequently, most California aggregate producers are now required to warn employees, consumers, and — neighbors of potential health hazards linked to crystalline silica 69 (IARC 1997.) The U.S. EPA has listed crystalline silica as a known human carcinogen. Crystalline silica is listed by the State of California as a chemical known to cause cancer.70 The Office 66 World Health Organization(WHO),IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to — Humans.Silica,Some Silicates,Coal Dust and para-Aranid Fibrils,v.65,1997. 67 Occupational Safety&Health Administration(OSHA),Silica Dust Exposures Can Cause Silicosis, OSHA Fad Sheets,January 1,1996. 68 International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC),Silica,Some Silicates,Coal Dust and Para- Aranud Fibrils, v.68,IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans,May 1997. — 09 California Geology, v.53,no.5,September/October 2000,p.27. 70 Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment,Chemicals Known to The State to Cause — Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity,June 4,1999. 46