Coal Dust

Coal Dust - Respiratory disease from airborne particle pollution is a significant public health issue for coal communities worldwide. No nation on earth exports more coal than Australia. Nearly half of our black coal comes from the Hunter Valley alone. Much of it is carried by rail through Newcastle and stockpiled in residential suburbs. Already the world's largest coal port, there are plans to double Newcastle's capacity. Residents are worried that the existing coal traffic is increasing levels of harmful particulate pollution in their air. Mark Horstman examines the contested science measuring particle pollution along the coal corridor, the potential health fallout for locals, and possible solutions. http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/   / abccatalyst   @ABCCatalyst