SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – On the first Spare The Air day of the season, coal rail transports are negatively impacting air quality in the Bay Area.
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The loads are transported by train from Utah to a facility in Richmond. There have been suspicions that the coal is affecting Bay Area pollution levels, but a new study has officially confirmed these fears, pointing to a definitive link between coal shipments and aggravated air quality.
UC Davis environmental health researcher Dr. Bart Ostro led the study to find out the dangers.
"Coal trains coming into the Richmond facility increased exposures to fine particles, PM 2.5, and these particles are responsible for a wide range of health effects," said Ostro.
Health issues ranging from heart and respiratory disease to premature death and birth defects are risks from particulate matter exposure.
This is the first time the impact of coal shipments has been studied in an urban environment. The trains are a mile long, and the trip from Utah to Richmond impacts every community on the way.
"The cars are uncovered, so a lot of the coal escapes during transit," Ostro explained.
Oakland is fighting a proposal to build a massive coal terminal at the foot of the Bay Bridge, citing health issues. A judge ruled against the city due to a lack of evidence, but following the study, "now they do have that evidence," Ostro said.
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