Expert analysis of coal dust samples collected along the rail corridor at Beresfield is expected to outline how the health of Lower Hunter residents is at risk when a report is released on Thursday.
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The Coal Terminal Action Group study follows the Australian Rail Track Corporation report, which was criticised for under reporting coal dust levels, and is expected to put added pressure on the industry to cover coal wagons.
Group chairman James Whelan said the Coal Train Signature Study would set the record straight and apply political pressure.
“We have every confidence in this report and we believe it should be used for public policy,” he said.
“We feel this is an issue that will be resolved soon [because] we feel there is enough political pressure to see action on this.”
The report, funded with 100 donations, will include analysis from medical specialists and academics using the data collected at Beresfield, which is representative of the dust impacts in Maitland, and two more Lower Hunter sites.
Using industry standard air quality monitoring equipment, members of the CTAG monitored particle levels beside the coal corridor as 165 trains passed through residential areas in the Lower Hunter.
The study compared the pollution of loaded and unloaded coal trains to background (no train) pollution levels.
CTAG will release its findings on Thursday night at Newcastle Town Hall.
