How much dust comes off an uncovered coal train? Residents in Newcastle have been asking this question for years and have had no answers or action from the coal industry or the NSW Government. But they’re set to approve a doubling of exports.

So we’ve decided to conduct our own air pollution monitoring along the coal corridor in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Can you chip in towards the cost of hiring monitoring equipment?

Donate now to fund coal train monitoring

Last year, you helped us raise almost $10,000 to monitor air pollution at twelve houses in coal-affected suburbs in Newcastle and Maitland. That study found PM10 levels much higher than the national standard at most locations. These particles cause respiratory and cardiovascular illness, and premature mortality.

With your help, we now plan to hire monitoring equipment to measure exactly how much particle pollution residents along the train line are exposed to each time a coal train goes by.
Our last study measured levels of particle pollution where we live. This study will tell us how concentrations increase as uncovered coal trains go by.

A Planning Assessment Commission has been established by the NSW Government to assess a fourth coal terminal. T4 would double the volume of coal exported through Newcastle, bringing more than 100 uncovered coal trains through our suburbs every day. Before T4 is considered, we need to know how much dust comes off each coal train.

Every donation counts. Please give what you can. 

Please help us raise the necessary funds by sharing this email with your friends and family. Our Facebook page has a link to the appeal that you can post on your FB page.

Warmly,

Annika Dean

President, Hunter Community Environment Centre

P.S. The Australian Rail Track Corporation released their second study of coal dust last Friday. ARTC monitored at just one Hunter Valley location for two months. CTAG’s monitoring study aims to monitor at several locations. We have substantive concerns about the ARTC study and are arranging independent expert review.

Coal Terminal Action Group
http://coalterminalactiongroup.nationbuilder.com/

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