Newswise — As per a study conducted by the University of California, Davis in Richmond, California, coal trains and terminal operations are found to be major contributors of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution to urban areas. It has been observed that they contribute more significantly to this pollution as compared to other freight or passenger trains.
According to a study published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, it is the first research conducted in a U.S. urban area that examined particulate pollution caused by coal trains. The study is also the first of its kind to utilize artificial intelligence technologies to verify that the air pollution detected has originated from coal.
The study revealed that coal-carrying trains passing through an area contribute an average of 8 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) to the existing ambient PM2.5 pollution. This amount is 2 to 3 ug/m3 more than the pollution contributed by freight trains. Furthermore, even empty coal cars were found to add about 2 ug/m3 of coal dust traces to the air. In certain wind conditions, the concentrations of PM2.5 reached up to 25 ug/m3.
Environmental justice concerns
The authors of the study recently released a comprehensive report to the California Air Resources Board. The report includes additional measurements of coal and petroleum coke emissions (a byproduct of oil refining), which show that the storage and handling of these materials at shipping terminals and train holding yards also contribute to the emission of PM2.5. Furthermore, the report demonstrated that this particulate matter pollution from coal and petroleum coke reaches residential communities, thereby impacting public health.
As per the study conducted by the University of California, Davis in Richmond, California, coal trains and terminal operations contribute a substantial quantity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution to urban areas. The study suggests that their contribution to this pollution is more significant than other types of freight or passenger trains.
According to a research paper published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, it is the first-ever study of coal train particulate pollution conducted in a U.S. urban area. The study is also the first to leverage artificial intelligence technologies to verify that the detected source of air pollution is from coal.
The study revealed that passing trains carrying coal contribute an average of 8 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) to ambient PM2.5 pollution. This amount is 2 to 3 ug/m3 more than the pollution caused by freight trains. Interestingly, even empty coal cars were found to add around 2 ug/m3 of coal dust traces to the air. Under certain wind conditions, these concentrations of PM2.5 reached up to 25 ug/m3.
Environmental justice concerns
The authors of the study have recently submitted a complete report to the California Air Resources Board. The report includes additional measurements of coal and petroleum coke emissions (a byproduct of oil refining). It clearly shows that the storage and handling of these materials at shipping terminals and train holding yards also release PM2.5 emissions, and that this pollution travels to residential communities. This suggests that the adverse effects of coal-related pollution are not just limited to the areas near coal mines or power plants but also extend to urban areas where coal transport and storage occur.
In addition to providing more measurements of coal and petroleum coke emissions, the report also discusses the health and environmental justice implications of coal-related pollution for residents living in Richmond and nearby Oakland. This is particularly relevant as a proposal for a coal terminal is currently under discussion in Oakland. The report suggests that such a proposal would have significant negative impacts on the air quality and health of the surrounding communities.
The study involved placing a monitor along train tracks in Richmond, a city located in the San Francisco Bay Area, between May 2022 and October 2022. Richmond is home to a racially diverse population of approximately 115,000 people, with high rates of asthma and heart disease. The study also involved monitoring in other locations over the past two years.
The authors found that coal transport, storage and handling significantly increase community exposure to ambient PM2.5.
According to Spada, the lead author of the study, the scale of the project motivated the team to experiment with computer-learning techniques. As a result, they developed a state-of-the-art system that allowed for the classification of several thousand trains observed during the study with a high degree of confidence. This included various types of trains, such as passenger, freight, and both unloaded and full coal cars. The success of this approach highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in environmental research.
The researchers noted that an unforeseen benefit of using computer-learning techniques to classify train types based on their pollution emissions was that this technology can also be applied to help identify the sources and levels of pollution in other air pollution concerns. For instance, the same approach could be used to analyze emissions from refinery flaring, construction dust, and activities such as unloading and loading at shipyards. This demonstrates the potential for this technology to be used in a broader range of environmental research and monitoring efforts.
No safe level
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have stated that there is no known safe level of PM2.5 pollution. A recent study on the global burden of disease estimates that fine particulate matter pollution is a contributing factor in 6.7 million deaths worldwide each year.
The authors noted that the negative effects of air pollution are disproportionately experienced by vulnerable populations, such as infants, children, the elderly, people of color, those with low incomes, and those with underlying health conditions.
According to the scientists, the study did not measure ultrafine or coarse particles (PM10), which are also produced along with PM2.5. This suggests that the study probably underestimates the true health risks posed by passing coal trains.
The study was funded by the California Air Resources Board Community Air Monitoring Grant Program.
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