Multnomah County publicly released its review of the health impacts associated with the increase in coal train traffic if the currently proposed coal export plans move forward. The analysis reveals that the sparse amount of information available prevents them from being able to assess the true health impacts of the increase in coal dust that would result, and calls on the federal government to conduct a comprehensive, cumulative review of all the proposals. The study also asks that the onus be put on the coal and rail companies to show that their plans will not result in unnecessary health risks to the county's residents.
"The bottom line is a lot of the information on coal dust dispersal is proprietary, and it's not well validated," Gary Oxman says. Oxman oversaw the County's review.
Read the full review.
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