Despite a significant reduction in coal consumption since 2005, the United States still uses and exports substantial quantities of coal, primarily transported by trains. New research reveals that these coal trains negatively impact the health of nearby residents.
A study focusing on the San Francisco Bay Area cities of Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley found higher premature mortality rates among those living near railroad tracks, attributed to air pollutants like PM 2.5 released from uncovered coal trains. This pollution is also linked to increased asthma-related episodes and hospital admissions.
Bart Ostro, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Davis, led the study, which is the first to investigate both air pollution and the passage of coal trains in an urban setting. The findings show that uncovered coal trains disperse coal particles, significantly increasing PM 2.5 levels up to a mile away from the tracks.
This dispersion of pollutants has severe health implications for surrounding communities, particularly in Richmond, where residents already have higher mortality rates compared to the county average. Similar risks may arise in Oakland with plans for a new coal export terminal.
To precisely measure the pollutants, Ostro’s team created a monitoring system that included a weather station, air quality sensors, and AI-trained cameras capable of distinguishing between different types of trains.
This system allowed researchers to accurately identify pollution levels specifically caused by coal trains. Their study found that coal trains significantly increase PM 2.5 pollution in urban areas more than other freight or passenger trains, with even empty coal cars contributing due to lingering coal dust.
In a subsequent study, researchers combined these pollution measurements with US Census data and health studies to assess the impact on local communities. They estimated that over 260,000 people would experience increased PM 2.5 exposure, correlating with higher mortality and morbidity rates.
Under the worst-case scenario, a two μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 near railways could lead to a 1.3 percent rise in premature mortality and significant increases in hospital admissions for chronic lung disease, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease.
These findings have broader implications beyond San Francisco and the US, as coal use and transportation are rising in countries like China and India. The study highlights a global health risk for populations living near coal transportation routes. Michel Abramson from Monash University supports Ostro’s assessment, emphasizing that phasing out coal is the only effective solution to mitigate these health risks and address climate change. Covering coal cars, while a potential mitigation measure, could introduce other hazards, such as increased fire risks.
