Coal dust could be 'bigger than asbestos'

WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE: Areas with coal dust problems are marked in red. Source: The Courier-Mail

ONE of the LNP's own MPs warned Queensland Parliament last year that coal dust could present a bigger health problem than asbestos if mining activities encroached on residential areas.

But with the coal dust problem spreading to Brisbane, the Newman Government this week said it was not clear what the state could do to force coal companies to take immediate action to minimise coal dust emissions.

Vaughan Johnson, the member for Gregory, highlighted the risk last year as he voiced concerns for residents living in regional centres close to coalmines.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Johnson said he was still worried about the health risk posed by coal dust.

GALLERY: See coal pile size of two Suncorp Stadiums

Those living in mining towns and the port cities of Gladstone and Mackay have long harboured concerns about the health risks associated with long-term coal dust exposure.

Now residents along the urban rail corridor in Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba and near the Port of Brisbane coal stockpile have joined the fight, complaining about a rise in exposure to the dust as more trains from Darling Downs mines use the rail network.

Exclusive tests conducted by The Courier-Mail this week revealed coal dust levels of up to 40 per cent in dust samples taken from affected homes in Brisbane along the rail corridor and near the port.

WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE: Areas with coal dust problems are marked in red.

A spokesman for Premier Campbell Newman said it was unclear what could be done to make the companies "act now".

LNP defector and Katter's Australian Party state leader Ray Hopper said he hoped coal dust anger in Brisbane would provide a catalyst to address an ongoing issue.

"Right across regional Queensland, there are homes constantly covered in a film of black dust," he said.

GALLERY: See coal pile size of two Suncorp Stadiums

Locals living near the proposed new Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal, south of Mackay, are among those frustrated coal money is seen as more important than people.

Gordon Johnson lives in McEwen's Beach, 2km from the terminal.

"We already get coal dust on our roofs, water tanks, our washing, on our lawns and that's just the stuff we can see. It horrors us to think how much we are breathing in," he said.

News-bcm 07/11/12 Coal Trains. A Coal train passing through Fairfield railway station. Pic Mark Calleja

Blackwater, Chinchilla, Moranbah, Emerald, Kabra, Gracemere and Jondaryan are other centres where locals deal with coal dust on a daily basis.

State health and environmental officials said emissions were monitored and within accepted standards.

But Brisbane physician Dr Andrew Jeremijenko said low-dose, chronic exposure to coal particles was unhealthy.

Complaints in Brisbane are spreading. Harry Tran, who manages Pam's Cafe 88 in Nudgee Beach, said coal dust collected so heavily on tables after a strong southerly that he had to wipe them every 30 minutes.

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