NSW power station pollution study predicts deaths

Emissions from NSW coal-fired power stations will cause 3429 deaths in the next 25 years a new report has found — and most of that pollution will come from the Central Coast and is headed straight for Sydney.

Vales Point Powerstation

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Particle emissions from NSW coal-fired power stations will cause 3429 deaths in the next 25 years a new report has found — and most of the pollution will come from the Central Coast.

The report, The Health Burden of fine particle pollution from electricity generation in NSW, by Newcastle University epidemiologist, Dr Ben Ewald was commissioned by Environmental Justice Australia and released this week.

The study looked at the impact of emissions on three health outcomes which have already been linked to air pollution — death, low birth-weight babies and new onset diabetes.

It said fine particle emissions from the State’s five power stations had already caused 236 deaths, 206 low birth weight babies and 303 cases of new onset diabetes.

Eraring Power Station is one of two Central Coast power stations blamed for the bulk of fine particle pollution.

Of these, more than half were linked to Central Coast power stations Eraring, at Eraring, and Vales Point, at Mannering Park, whose emissions are dumped by typical weather conditions on the Central Coast and Sydney.

“Eraring and Vales Point on the NSW Central Coast make the largest contribution to the health burden from power generation, since prevailing weather patterns are most likely to carry pollutants from these sources into the Sydney basin where the larges population resides,” the report said.

“Based on the current expected closure date of the NSW power stations, it is estimated that 3429 additional deaths will occur in NSW between the present day and the closure of the last power station [in 2042],” it said.

Pollution from Central Coast power stations is blown by the wind toward Sydney where it adds to smog problems.

The number of low birth weight babies linked to emissions from power generation would rise to 3029 by that date and the number of cases of new onset diabetes to 4412.

The study notes that only the health impacts of fine particles from Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen were examined and therefore the full impact of power station pollution could be even higher.

While some power stations have closed like Munmorah Power station north of Budgewoi, the report said the remaining stations had stepped up power generation in response, keeping emissions at about the same level.

Particle emissions are believed to cause low birth weight babies.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Among the key recommendations from the report are:

■ Installation of new pollution control technology to reduce harmful emissions

■ Bring power station emissions in line with international best practice

■ Introduce compulsory monitoring for sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and mercury

■ Conduct further research, including the impacts in other states.

■ Introduce air quality monitoring at Wyee and Lithgow

Map showing pollution flow from NSW power stations — including those on the Central Coast. Source: Health Burden of fine particle pollution from electricity generation in NSW study.

THE PROBLEM EXPLAINED

The study states that Coal-fired power stations produce particles of two kinds: the primary particles that are released as coal is burnt, and secondary particles that form in the atmosphere from the sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NO2 and NO, referred to as NOX) gases released during combustion. Particle air pollution is described by size classes, as their size dictates where they end up in the human respiratory system. Larger particles are trapped in the nose and upper airways, but the finest particles reach to the air sacs deep in the lungs and even enter the blood stream, causing systemic effects.

A view of Liddell Power Station in Muswellbrook.

POLLUTED HISTORY

According to the reports Author, from the 1930s, electricity demand rose steeply in Sydney and coal-fired power stations were built to support the expanding distribution grid and tram/train operations. These were at Ultimo, Balmain, Pyrmont, White Bay and Matraville, all close to the centre of the city. As these old generators reached the end of their life between 1963 and 1983, sites were chosen for new power stations, ten times as big. These sites were located away from Sydney so the city’s population of 3 to 4 million people would not be exposed to the stack emissions.

Since that time, the science of air pollution has developed substantially. Using modern methods, it is now apparent that pollution from the current coal-fired power stations travels long distances and blows back to contaminate the air in Sydney despite the power stations being 90, 98 and 155km away.

GREENS CALL FOR LIMITS

NSW Greens have been quick to jump of the findings, introducing a bill to NSW parliament to set pollution limits for coal fired power stations.

Greens MP and Environment spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann said the report was “proof of just how deadly NSW coal fired power stations are”.

“If Premier Berejiklian doesn’t act to force coal power stations to clean up their pollution then she will be responsible for the deaths of thousands of people,” Ms Faehrmann said.

NSW Greens environment spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann

“It is unacceptable that toxic emissions from Australia’s power stations are multiple times higher than what is allowed in the EU, the US and China.”

“We hope the Government and Labor will put people’s health ahead of the profits of AGL and Origin energy and support the Bill when it is debated on Thursday.”