Unum
2024-07-19 18:46:05 UTC
https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/07/coal-pollution-is-killing-people-even-when-were-not-burning-it/
Although US coal consumption has fallen dramatically since 2005, the country
still consumes millions of tons a year, and exports tons more—much of it
transported by train. Now, new research shows that these trains can affect the
health of people living near where they pass.
The study found that residents living near railroad tracks likely have higher
premature mortality rates due to air pollutants released during the passage of
uncovered coal trains. The analysis of the San Francisco Bay Area cities of
Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley shows that increases in air pollutants such as
small particulate matter (PM 2.5) are also associated with increases in
asthma-related episodes and hospital admissions.
Trains carry nearly 70 percent of coal shipments in the United States, leaving
a trail of pollution in their wake. And coal exports will have a similar
impact during transit. Ostro explained that when uncovered coal trains travel,
the coal particles disperse around the railroad tracks. Levels of PM 2.5
"[spread] almost a mile away," he added.
This year, in a follow-up study, researchers combined these findings with US
Census data and health studies to understand how this increase might affect
local communities. They estimated that more than 260,000 people would be
exposed to some increase in annual PM 2.5, and that such exposure was
associated with significant mortality and morbidity.
Although US coal consumption has fallen dramatically since 2005, the country
still consumes millions of tons a year, and exports tons more—much of it
transported by train. Now, new research shows that these trains can affect the
health of people living near where they pass.
The study found that residents living near railroad tracks likely have higher
premature mortality rates due to air pollutants released during the passage of
uncovered coal trains. The analysis of the San Francisco Bay Area cities of
Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley shows that increases in air pollutants such as
small particulate matter (PM 2.5) are also associated with increases in
asthma-related episodes and hospital admissions.
Trains carry nearly 70 percent of coal shipments in the United States, leaving
a trail of pollution in their wake. And coal exports will have a similar
impact during transit. Ostro explained that when uncovered coal trains travel,
the coal particles disperse around the railroad tracks. Levels of PM 2.5
"[spread] almost a mile away," he added.
This year, in a follow-up study, researchers combined these findings with US
Census data and health studies to understand how this increase might affect
local communities. They estimated that more than 260,000 people would be
exposed to some increase in annual PM 2.5, and that such exposure was
associated with significant mortality and morbidity.