New data has revealed air pollution levels in some of Newcastle's most toxic suburbs has fallen dramatically.
Suburbs in the 2304 postcode including Kooragang, Mayfield, Warabrook and Sandgate have seen a sharp reduction in major air pollutants such as Benzene and Sulphur Dioxide over the past five years.
It's believed tighter pollution controls recommended by the NSW Environment Protection Authority and other agencies have contributed to the rapid decline.
The drop in levels has been welcomed by most residents, but many still hold major concerns about coal dust pollution in the area.
Convener of the Correct Planning and Consultation for Mayfield Group, John Hayes, says it's been a slow process to get to this point.
"It's been a very slow process, and an expensive process for industries to put scrubbers on chimneys and all that sort of thing, " Mr Hayes said.
"But all of those things lead to lower emissions, and that's got to be good for everybody."
It's believed tighter pollution controls recommended by the NSW Environment Protection Authority and other agencies have contributed to the rapid decline.
The drop in levels has been welcomed by most residents, but many still hold major concerns about coal dust pollution in the area.
Convener of the Correct Planning and Consultation for Mayfield Group, John Hayes, says it's been a slow process to get to this point.
"It's been a very slow process, and an expensive process for industries to put scrubbers on chimneys and all that sort of thing, " Mr Hayes said.
"But all of those things lead to lower emissions, and that's got to be good for everybody."
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| Residents remain concerned over coal dust. Image: Newcastle Herald |
