<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> A study has confirmed that coal trains travelling on the Hunter Valley rail network have been associated with small rises in dust levels however, these were similar to levels emitted from other types of trains. </span> <p>The study, which was the second of a series of studies commissioned by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), relied on a dust monitor set up at Raymond Terrace Drive in Metford between November 30, 2012, and January 29, 2013.</p><p>It found that while passenger and freight trains passing the monitoring station were not associated with a statistically significant increase in dust levels, coal trains were associated with such a rise.</p><p>The researchers measured dust levels in three different forms: total suspended particles (TSP), particulate matter with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometres (PM10) and particulate matter with a 2.5 micrometre diameter (PM2.5).</p><p>They found that when a loaded or unloaded coal train passed the monitor, it resulted, on average, in small increases of TSP, PM10 and PM2.5.</p><p>In contrast, when passenger or freight trains passed, there was no statistically significant difference found in any of the three measurements.</p><p>However, the difference between the levels found when loaded coal trains passed the station and when other types of trains past it was not found to be statistically significant, i.e. it was very small.</p><p>The only statistically significant difference was found when comparing unloaded coal trains with passenger trains when it came to TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 measurements.</p><p>The ARTC is obliged to commission the studies under the terms of its Environmental Protection Licence.</p><p>ARTC chief John Fullerton said the monitoring results released are in line with the pilot monitoring program results released in late September 2012, which showed little difference between train types.</p><p>“ARTC has provided the results of the monitoring to the NSW EPA and we will work with the Authority on what next steps are appropriate in line with our Environment Protection Licence.”</p>
