AN alliance of 14 community and environmental groups from the Hunter Region has launched a community-led study of dust and health.
The Coal Terminal Action Group has established the study to address growing concerns about coal dust and its health impacts.
The study will analyse air quality monitoring data collected by the state government, industry and locals, commission additional monitoring of ultrafine particles (PM1), develop recommendations for improved monitoring and reporting arrangements and assess the health impacts of current pollution levels and the proposed Newcastle coal loader.
Australian and international authorities accept that there is a direct link between long-term exposure to particle pollution and a range of respiratory ailments.
The community steering group for the study will hold its first meeting on August 2 at Hunter Community Environment Centre.