On October 9, Mackay Conservation Group released their alarming report on the state of Mackay's air quality, to a national audience.
The report included comprehensive data analysis by MCG Co-ordinator Patricia Julien who examined State government air quality data from their monitoring station in West Mackay.
The Australian reported on the story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051 .
The Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufThe Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufThe Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufThe Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufThe Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufAnd follow this link to download the report.
Air quality standards in Australia lag behind the rest of the world, which is why we need strong local voices to ensure the health of our community is protected. The picture below shows coal dust from a train that is coming in the ports at Hay Point.
The data was for levels of dust particulate matter of 10 microns across, about one fifth of a human hair.
The Mackay Conservation Group is calling for the Queensland government to suspend plans to expand coal ports and adjacent industrial hubs until a program to prevent coal dust from spreading outside the Hay Point port lands is implemented.
"We need better protections for the health of our community," Mrs Julien said.
"Respiratory and heart disease hospital admissions are linked to consistent exposure to air pollution."
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051#sthash.irjeJwl5.dpufout one fifth of a human hair. The small size of these particulates increases their risk to health, including respiratory disease and asthma.The reports findings included:
- Mackay's air quality is worse than Brisbane's;
- Mackay's dust levels were above World Health Organisation guidelines for most years between 2000 and 2012; and
- the Port of Hay Point released over 501 tonnes of PM10 air pollution into the air in Mackay for 2011 - 2012.
With air quality this bad we simply can't afford to be building more coal infrastructure.