pollution dangers from limestone quarry? (Lancaster, California: house, neighborhoods, construction)

[bqst]

Hi everyone,

We're planning a move from California to southwestern PA, Lancaster to be specific. While looking at neighborhoods online, we notice there are several active limestone quarries in the area.

Are there significant pollution hazards related to limestone quarries? I would imagine the air particulates can be hazardous? Any thoughts on how far away is "safe"?

What about the impact of the large trucks carrying the limestone away? Is there an air pollution hazard from road dust?

How far do you feel the blasts?

We have no experience with quarries, so we're a little worried about the unknown. Thanks in advance.

BJT

[bnepler]

There are limestone, coal as well as other mining all over PA. If that's your biggest concern, you may want to stay in California. You will most likely be bothered more by the smell from the manure/animal waste spread on the fields in the fall and the spring. It brings the flies, bugs and the urine smell in the summer.

[Internet Superman]

Originally Posted by bqst

Hi everyone,

We're planning a move from California to southwestern PA, Lancaster to be specific. While looking at neighborhoods online, we notice there are several active limestone quarries in the area.

Are there significant pollution hazards related to limestone quarries? I would imagine the air particulates can be hazardous? Any thoughts on how far away is "safe"?

What about the impact of the large trucks carrying the limestone away? Is there an air pollution hazard from road dust?

How far do you feel the blasts?

We have no experience with quarries, so we're a little worried about the unknown. Thanks in advance.

BJT

road dust doesn't do anything to you except make your car and house get dirty.

Limestone is a rock that is used in most cement and construction projects - road paving etc..

Being afraid of Limestone is just silly.

Did you know that Lime is used to keep bubble gum from sticking to the wrapper? Are you afraid of bubble gum?

[bobsmith]

I don't think the limestone quarries are dangerous. In all my years in Pennsylvania I have never heard anyone talking about air particules from the quarries. And depending on what part of California you are moving from, it is very likely there is less polution from trucks here than there. Lancaster's not a bad place, come on over.

[Icy Tea]

Limestone means hard water which means probably having to have a water softener system. But it also means the best farming soil in the world so you'll appreciate the low cost of veggies and produce in the growing season.
The dust can be a pain if you're right next to it and some health and breathing concerns are a possibility.

[ki0eh]

The most concern about limestone in an area (whether quarried or not) would be sinkhole development. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/hazards/es11.pdf This is an insurable risk and something to price into your budget.

I think the most valid concern about the proximity of limestone quarries may be their potential effect on the quantity of water you might expect from a private well. They dig and blast downward and need to do a lot of pumping. If the home you are looking at is on a piped public water supply (DON'T ASSUME IT IS, OR IT ISN'T, IN PA, ALWAYS ALWAYS CHECK THE DISCLOSURE AND ASK TO SEE THE WATER BILLS TO MAKE SURE), that concern is removed.

Dust and traffic may be concerns if you're in immediate proximity to a scale house. That should be visible from a site view. There's no inherent additional risk compared to other industrial sources of noise and dust.

Active and abandoned limestone pits are attractive nuisances for teenagers. Stay Out Stay Alive

[bqst]

We originate from NY, so we're comfortable with cow farms and the lot. Quarries, however, are a mystery to us, much as earthquakes were before we moved to California. Thank you everyone for the helpful comments. We'll watch out for the sinkhole issue.

BTJ