[Greens-Media] Coal mine dust breaches beg investigation and prosecution

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE - GREENS MP LEE RHIANNON - 25 MAY 2010

Coal mine dust breaches beg investigation and prosecution

Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said a report just
released by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water,
reviewing air quality and the power and coal industries, demands
prosecution of polluting mines, the fast tracking the proposed air
quality monitoring network, and the establishment of new EPA offices
in the Hunter  (“Hunter Valley coalmines breach dust rules,” Newcastle
Herald, today:  http://tiny.cc/uao9x).

“For many years the Department of Environment has stood by and allowed
breaches by Hunter coal mines of their pollution licenses, without
sanction. This has contributed to unacceptable air pollution, putting
Hunter residents’ health at risk,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Research by the Greens has shown how Hunter coal mines have been
given get out of jail free cards by the EPA, which has consistently
overlooked breaches of license conditions.

“NSW Health in its report released last Friday on Hunter air quality
and health, admitted that information about dust levels is inadequate,
frustrating a proper assessment of potential risks to people living
close to mines and power stations.

“The government should now be feeling a sense of urgency, knowing that
air quality standards are being breached and that higher rates of
respiratory and cardivovascular problems are experienced by residents
in the region.

“It’s time to fast track the promised new air quality monitoring
network and ensure they are properly located and measure the very
dangerous fine particles and toxic dust.

“Last week’s NSW Health report concluded that, “there is convincing
evidence from the literature for a link between exposure to
particulate matter and adverse health outcomes’.

“There are no standards available against which fine particulate
matter, which is emitted by coal and power industries, are measured in
NSW.  This gap must also be plugged.

“These mining and power industries, that are making huge profits at
the community’s expense, should be forced to clean up their act.

“As well as the air quality monitoring stations promised by the
government, the Greens are calling for EPA offices to be opened in the
Hunter so there are government officers ready to respond to the many
breaches that are occurring,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon  9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Visit Lee’s Coal Health Study Now! Site:
http://coalhealthstudynow.wordpress.com/
DECCW report here: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/upperhunterreview.htm