Toxic air pollution almost triples at one of Australia’s oldest and dirtiest power stations
Alarming new data confirming that the Vales Point Power Station has reported an almost three-fold increase in PM 2.5 pollution represents a significant risk to the respiratory health of Central Coast communities and the entire Greater Sydney region.
The power station’s operator, Delta Electricity, reported a 281 percent increase in PM2.5 pollution, which can bypass the body’s natural defence systems and lodge in the heart, lung and veins, according to the most recent National Pollutant Inventory release. [1]
“Ageing coal-burning power stations like Vales Point should not be allowed to continue to pump out toxic air pollution that damages the heart and lungs and can lead to asthma and heart attacks,” said Greenpeace campaigner Jonathan Moylan.
“The dangerous levels of air pollution at Vales Point highlight the urgent need to swiftly replace our coal-burning power stations with clean energy sources like wind and solar and in the meantime, to protect communities with pollution controls which are based on expert medical advice.
“Delta’s admission that the surge in pollution was caused by the failure of critical equipment is particularly disturbing and appears to violate a license requirement to keep the power station well maintained. If Delta is found to have breached its requirements, it should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” [2]
A recent international report led by the Head of the University of Sydney School of Medicine found that PM2.5 exposure well below guideline values could trigger heart attacks.