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Hunter air quality monitoring model fundamentally flawed
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Greens MP and Health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says that while any action from the government on monitoring air quality in the Upper Hunter is a step forward, the proposed model announced by the Minister for the Hunter is fundamentally flawed because it is funded by the big pollution perpetrators - the coal and power industries ('Air data needed for study: McKay', Newcastle Herald).
"Having coal and power companies finance dust monitoring is like getting Coke to fund research into children's health," Ms Rhiannon said.
"This announcement is a cynical exercise from the government designed to deflect serious concern from the community about the dangerous health impacts of fine particles in dust from Hunter coalmines.
"Fine particle pollution from coal mining in the Upper Hunter is increasing while its link to human mortality and respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity is becoming clearer.
"The region urgently needs an independent dust monitoring network, employing world-class technology.
"The government must re-establish a Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water office in the region following its closure of the Muswellbrook EPA office, to monitor, investigate and prosecute offences.
"A new office in the Upper Hunter needs adequate resources to monitor not only dust, but noise and water pollution.
"The community also deserves a commitment from the government to fund independent research into the health impact of coal mining on the local community.
"Research conducted by the Greens of government data shows Upper Hunter mining companies commonly breach license conditions and are rarely subject to infringement notices or prosecution.
"For too long this government has walked arm in arm with the coal industry acting to play down legitimate concerns about the health impacts of mining.
"The government must change its culture so it acts as the defender of public health rather than an agent for the profits of the coal industry," Ms Rhiannon said.
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