Felicia Jenkins
11:00AM
11/5/10

Coalmine dangerous to public, says health boss

On the coast of Australia, in New South Wales (NSW) there is a proposed coalmine. This proposal comes from Kores Australia and it is the plan to dig up 151 million tons of coal in the next 27 years. Concern has been raised about the impact of the coalmine on human health. But Kores Australia insists that there is no risk to human health. Dr. Lewis of the NSW of the Environmental health branch counters that claim with previous evidence of an increase of respiratory problems which increases the death rate. Lewis suggests that more effort needs to put in by the company to ensure that the local air quality does not change drastically. The spreading of coal particulates has also been a concern because it spreads in the air which could affect human health. Once again Kores Company countered with “coal is not toxic or poisonous and is not listed as a hazardous substance under any environmental legislation.”

Once again business profits are tied with the environment and the health of the people in the surrounding area. At this point we are all aware of the dangers that come with coal mining. There is an increase in carbon dioxide and methane, which are two powerful greenhouse gases that contribute heavily to climate change. The byproducts of mining tend to be toxic metal waste such as uranium and thorium which are hard to dispose of and radioactive. Because of the participles in the air, air quality and ozone are an issue which lead to human health problems. The mines themselves are dangerous to the individuals that work in them as well. There is also scientific evidence that should an erosion of topsoil, decreases in local plant and animal biodiversity and run off into the local water supply such as rivers, and ground water. But strangely enough Kores Australia found no evidence of any of these problems that come with coalmines. How much are large companies willing to pay for these profits. Do the people and environment mean nothing to them but a profit. Are people and nature so replaceable that Kores Australia chooses to disregard their safety and well being to make a product that is unsustainable but temporarily profitable? Would more regulation put pressure on these companies to think about their impact on everything around them more? Should companies care about more than just their current and future profit margins?

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/coalmine-dangerous-to-public-says-health-boss-20101102-17cdk.html