DUST pollution in nine suburbs reached levels dangerous to human health during a recent month-long Lower Hunter air quality study.
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The Coal Dust in Our Suburbs study also found that levels of large dust particles at some of the locations were more than 50 per cent higher than the national standard.
The study, commissioned by the Coal Terminal Action Group – a coalition of 18 Hunter community groups – will be released at a public meeting in Newcastle tonight.
Dust particles ranging from 1 micron in diameter (PM1) to 10 microns (PM10) were measured at Mayfield, Mayfield East, Carrington, Tighes Hill, Kotara, Hexham, Thornton, East Maitland and Lochinvar between December 5, 2012, and January 5, 2013.
Suburbs closest to the Port of Newcastle recorded significantly higher levels of particulate pollution compared with levels recorded at monitors in Cooks Hill.
Higher levels of particulate pollution were also recorded when the wind came from nearby coal stockpiles and the coal train line.
The Coal Terminal Action Group has called on the state government to suspend its assessment of the fourth coal terminal (T4) until an independent assessment of dust pollution along the Hunter’s coal corridor is carried out.
‘‘It would be irresponsible if the NSW government pushed ahead with its plans to develop Newcastle’s fourth coal terminal without first establishing what the true impact on people’s health will be,’’ group spokeswoman Zoe Rogers said.
‘‘No studies have been conducted by government or industry to give the community confidence about where dust pollution is coming from and what the impacts of it are on people’s health.’’
Air quality experts Howard Bridgman, from the University of Newcastle, and Jill Sweeney, from the University of Western Australia, analysed the results.
‘‘The results are indicative that there may be some particulate matter [dust] problems in parts of the city environment,’’ Associate Professor Bridgman said.
‘‘This study shows the potential for obtaining more detailed information, some better research and a longer-term study where can really get into measuring and determining more specific sources.’’
A spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services, which wants to build the fourth coal terminal (T4), said the company was aware of the study and would provide further comment after it had fully analysed the results.
‘‘The T4 project is the subject of a rigorous development and environmental approval process that has been running since 2010,’’ he said.
An Environment Protection Authority representative will attend tonight’s meeting.
‘‘Air quality in the Hunter is a high priority for the Environment Protection Authority, as it is for the community, and we welcome and encourage discussion on air quality issues,’’ a spokeswoman said.
‘‘To improve monitoring of air quality for the suburbs of Newcastle close to heavy industries and port related activities the Environment Protection Authority is establishing a Lower Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network.’’
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the report showed that air quality in parts of the Hunter had reached crisis point.
‘‘This study leaves no room for doubt that the government’s blind loyalty to the coal industry is negatively impacting on the Hunter community’s quality of life, particularly on people’s health,’’ she said.
‘‘The evidence contained in this report shows the government should immediately commission a rigorous and independent health study, funded by industry, into the impacts of coal dust pollution on people’s health, particularly children’s health.’’
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