The University of California, Davis has released the first health impact study of coal train pollution, which focused on the San Francisco Bay Area. The study found that communities near passing coal trains experience higher rates of asthma, heart disease, hospitalization, and death. This information was published online in the journal Environmental Research.The study revealed that coal train pollution has a major impact on the health of communities, especially those of color and individuals who are young, elderly, or have low incomes. While the focus of the study was on East Bay neighborhoods, its findings have implications for communities worldwide that live near coal trains. Coal power is used in at least 80 countries and accounts for about 40% of the world’s electricity generation. Lead author Bart Ostro, a scientist with the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center, highlighted that these trains run in various parts of the world, putting the poorest populations at risk, as they often live close to the train tracks.result, these impacts have both local and global implications.”
Coal, and more coal
The study focuses on areas in Oakland, Berkeley, Martinez, and Richmond, where coal is already being transported from Utah mines by rail. It specifically examines the potential health impacts of a proposed coal terminal, which is under review and could bring an additional 7.4 million tons of coal per year by rail to the Port of Oakland.
“This means about 10 trains per week potentially passing through a densely populated urban area,” Ostro said. “The trains continuously generate miThe U.S. EPA regulates fine particles known as PM2.5, which can cause chronic exposures and pose serious health risks by infiltrating the lungs and bloodstream. A study quantified the health impacts of PM2.5 emitted from passing coal trains by integrating air quality data with medical and demographic information using software mapping and analysis programs. Different scenarios for increases in PM2.5 for the roughly 262,000 people who would be exposed were run, and it was found that the most severe scenario resulted in significant health risks.An increase in yearly fine particulates of 2.1 micrograms per cubic meter of air could result in six more deaths annually in the affected population. When the researchers adjusted the analysis to account for the higher risks faced by people of color, they estimated that a total of 15 deaths could potentially occur. Additionally, the study findings indicated the following impacts:
- 28 more hospital admissions for heart disease
- 22 new cases of asthma
- 17 additional cases of pneumonia
- 58,000 extra days of asthma linked to coal train transit
Some of these outcomes represent a 3 to 6% rise compared to the previous levels.
current levels.
Under a less severe scenario (1 microgram per cubic meter of air), there would be a reduction of about 50% in additional yearly health impacts.
Race-specific estimates
The study also found that Hispanic and Black residents have 41% and 29% higher levels of PM25.5 exposure, respectively, compared to White residents.
“Our study is a small-scale representation of what likely affects millions of city residents around the world living near passing, uncovered coal trains that deliver coal to power plants and export terminals,” said Ostro.
AddAdditional institutions involved in the research include UC Irvine and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The study received support from the California Air Resources Board Community Air Monitoring Grant Program and the UC Davis Environmental Health Science Center.
