Coal-filled trains transporting coal across the US have been found to pose serious health risks to residents living near the railway tracks. A recent study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area cities of Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley revealed that the passage of uncovered coal trains is associated with increased premature mortality rates due to air pollutants released during transit. The study, led by Bart Ostro, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Davis, is the first of its kind to measure both air pollution and trains in an urban setting.
The research found that the levels of small particulate matter (PM 2.5) near the railway tracks increased significantly when coal trains passed through the area. These pollutants have been linked to higher rates of asthma-related episodes and hospital admissions among residents. The impact of coal pollution from trains extends beyond just the immediate vicinity of the tracks, with levels of PM 2.5 spreading up to a mile away.
To measure the extent of pollution caused by passing coal trains, Ostro and his team developed a monitoring system that included a weather station, an air quality sensor, and AI-trained cameras to identify different types of trains. The results of the study showed that coal trains and terminal operations contribute significantly to ambient pollution levels, with coal trains adding an average of eight ?g/m3 of PM 2.5 to urban areas.
Further analysis combining these findings with census data and health studies estimated that over 260,000 people would be exposed to increased PM 2.5 levels annually, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. In the worst-case scenario, where pollution levels near the railway line increased by about two ?g/m3, premature mortality was projected to rise by 1.3 percent, with increases in hospital admissions for chronic lung disease, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the local communities studied in the US. With coal consumption on the rise in countries like China and India, populations living near railways transporting coal could be at risk of similar health effects. The study underscores the need to phase out the mining, transport, and combustion of coal globally to reduce the risks of climate change and improve public health.
Michel Abramson from Monash University in Australia, who was not involved in the study, emphasizes the importance of addressing the health effects of transporting coal in uncovered rail cars. While covering the coal cars may not be a viable solution due to the risk of fires, Abramson echoes the call to transition away from coal use to safeguard both the environment and human health.
As concerns grow over the health risks associated with coal transportation, researchers and policymakers worldwide are urged to consider the broader implications of continued reliance on coal as an energy source. The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives to protect both the environment and public health.
