Air

Particulates

Particulate matter consists of solid or liquid particles that are released into the air and small enough to be inhaled. These include dust, soot, chemicals and other bits of material. Particulate matter is produced by natural sources (such as dust, volcanoes and forest fires) and human activities (such as mining, wood stoves, vehicle transportation and the burning of fossil fuels).

Particulate matter can reduce visibility and contribute to asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. It also combines with nitrogen oxides and other emissions to form smog. Fine particulate can penetrate deep into the lungs and poses a greater risk to human health than coarse particulate.

Surface mining of coal disturbs land and removes overburden, causing dust pollution. Coal dust can be picked up by winds at the mine site or from trucks and rail cars.

• dust suppressant systems
  Preventative measures taken at the mine site and during transport and storage reduce the potential environmental impacts of coal dust. Coal mining companies manage dust through the proper design of handling facilities and by spraying dust suppressants on mine roads and coal stockpiles. Railway companies spray a coating of dust suppressant on the top of the coal in each rail car to minimize dusting.
  
  Near Vancouver is Westshore Terminals, Canada’s largest coal-handling port. This facility has a fully integrated system that monitors weather conditions and different dust suppression methods, including water trucks, misting sprays in coal dumpers, wash-down areas for coal rail cars and off-site dust monitoring stations.
  
  
• air monitoring programs
  In some cases, mining companies set up monitoring programs near their mines to continually measure particulate matter levels against provincial guidelines.