Silicosis - from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - "Silicosis ... is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. Silicosis - especially the acute form - is characterized by shortness of breath, fever, and cyanosis - bluish skin. ... This respiratory disease was first recognized in 1705 by Bernardino Ramazzini who noticed sand-like substances in the lungs of stonecutters."

This is what our children will have to deal with if in fact the county implements new lax standards for gravel processing near schools and residential districts.

I don't want my taxes paying off multimillion-dollar lawsuits brought by stricken children against McLean County that have contracted silicosis due to poor legislation with regard to gravel processing. It is disgraceful that people are preoccupied with noise when the health consequences from the dust generated can be so grave.

I for one do not believe that we need to subject our children to this menace. If anything we should change the distance to a much greater distance than it is now.

Tom Dierks

Bloomington