The report, The Health Burden of fine particle pollution from electricity generation in NSW, which was commissioned by Environmental Justice Australia, found particle pollution from the five remaining facilities in the state was causing 279 premature deaths each year.  

“We live with the dirtiest power station pollution in NSW,” Mr Lonergan said.

“Bayswater and Liddell would not be allowed to operate in Europe and the USA with their current emissions of poisonous sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides.

“It is imperative that these facilities be required to have world-class pollution controls. 

“Without them, the NSW Government is condemning the people of the Upper Hunter to more diabetes, heart and lung disease and threatening the health of babies.

“The pollution from the power stations combined with the regular exceedance of national air quality standards from mine dust and the high level of cancerous diesel emissions is a cumulative toxic cocktail in the Upper Hunter.

“These major threats to human health are regulated separately, with no consideration of their combined health impacts.”

Mr Lonergan said residents in the Upper Hunter were sick of being the sacrificial lambs of NSW.

“Bayswater and Liddell must have stricter pollution controls and no new coal mines or mine expansions should be approved in the Upper Hunter,” he added.

“Our health should be important and a major consideration in NSW decision-making and regulation of polluting industries.

“Imagine the uproar if it were wind farms doing this kind of damage.”

To view the report, visit http://www.envirojustice.org.au/healthstudynsw/