ON June 1 news.com reported 'Pollution data reveals Collie coal emissions continue to rise'.
It said pollution from coal-fired power stations and coal mines continues to rise in WA, with one Collie plant spewing out five times more lead and 400 times more "fine particles" than it did a year ago.
It also said "small particle emissions from the 416-megawatt base-load Bluewaters plant grew from 12 tonnes to 540 tonnes in a year. Fine particle emissions leapt from just 590kg to 240 tonnes, and lead pollution jumped by five times".
The article reported that these fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs; they have been linked to cancer, respiratory illness, heart attacks, asthma and premature death. The World Health Organisation says there is no safe level and European studies have shown that lung cancer rates steadily increase with the level of fine particles in the air.
I have to say after reading that doctors had said they had "serious concerns" for the health of locals in Collie, where fine-particle pollution from industry has jumped from 15,000 tonnes to 17,000 tonnes in 12 months, it made me wonder why we so readily accept the increase in our air pollution.
If the medicos have concerns now about our health, how will the lungs of small babies and young children in our community handle these increases of pollution if it is escalating each year?
Even Conservation Council director Piers Verstegen said the data should "prompt the WA government into action."
Also reported were the comments of Energy Minister Mike Nahan, who said coal "remains a low cost source of electricity generation" but he could not say why pollution levels had jumped at Bluewaters.
Not good enough, it is his job to know.
Most 'Collie-ites' know that we have a continuous coal dust issue in the town and it is no secret that we dare not admit to air quality being a problem.
Why not? Because to question it might mean we are taking a swipe at our main sources of income.
I know we live in a coal mining town and some of you are going to say we should expect pollution but what we shouldn't expect or accept, is for our industry to increase these pollutants to the point it puts our health at risk.
With the evidence that the people of Collie are exposed to a huge increase in fine particle emissions and lead pollution has, maybe it is time we as a community should be calling on someone to take the lead in setting up better practices for cleaner air in Collie.
The headlines over the past few weeks in relation to our coal industry in this town have been dominated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray, nothing to do with air quality, but calling on the state government to intervene and help Premier Coal get a better price from Synergy for its coal.
Now, not having a shot at Mick, our mate is very well applauded for the passion he has since we elected him in 2001 for being extremely driven in his support for the coal industry.
However, perhaps now, in light of this damning evidence, he might like to commit to having the same resolve to ensure that he makes every effort in calling on the state government to intervene and help the people of Collie get a better air quality and a reduction in the pollutants produced by the coal industry.
He has never raised in parliament the issue of air quality in Collie. When it comes to air quality the health of his constituents should receive the same dedicated attention he gives to the coal industry.
No one is saying Mick should be alone in this, he should call on his seven parliamentary counterparts to give him bipartisan support on this issue. They are all in the parliament to represent us irrespective of their political persuasions.
Nola Marino has been the federal member for Forrest since 2007 and the people of Collie are in her electorate. Collie people are also represented in the legislative council by Adele Farina, Nigel Hallett, Colin Holt, Barry House, Robyn McSweeney and Sally Talbot. Between them there is 97 years of parliamentary experience, an enormous amount of expertise and talent the people of Collie have available to them.
Don't tell me that with such a strong taskforce, our representatives could not tackle the issue of air quality in Collie in a bipartisan manner.
Collectively they should be targeting Minister for Energy Mike Nahan and Minister for Environment Albert Jacob to ensure their departments are doing their jobs effectively and the Department of Environment Regulation works with industry and the community to protect the environment.
Something must be done about the increase of air pollutants and coal dust that sifts daily over our houses and outdoor furniture and impregnates our lungs.
Will our Collie pollies take the issue of our air quality on?
-Name and address supplied
