The state of Virginia is poised to embark on a significant air quality study in the areas surrounding the Norfolk and Newport News coal terminals, following years of delay and concern from local residents. The study, which has been eagerly anticipated, is aimed at assessing the potential health impacts of coal dust from the terminals on the surrounding communities.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently accepting bids for the study, which will scrutinize the environmental effects of the coal terminals at Lamberts Point in Norfolk and the Southeast Community in Newport News. The study has been in the planning stages for several years, with previous announcements indicating that air monitors would be installed as early as 2024.
The research project is expected to be completed within the year and is being funded through a $526,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study will be instrumental in determining whether the coal dust from the terminals is affecting community health in the region.
In preparation for the study, the DEQ has installed two smaller air monitors, and Norfolk City Council has approved a right of entry agreement that will allow the state agency to install three monitoring sites within the city. These sites will be located at the end of West 25th Street, the lot next to the fire station at 43rd Street and Hampton Boulevard, and an open lot near the intersection of West 26th Street and Bowden's Ferry Road. The monitoring stations will be in place for 16 months to gather comprehensive data.
In Newport News, the DEQ plans to install two additional monitoring sites, one at the An Achievable Dream Tennis Center and another at the intersection of 31st Street and Wickham Avenue. The monitoring stations will collect particulate matter samples, with the filters analyzed for toxic materials such as arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. The DEQ will also sample for fine particulates and conduct additional microscopic analysis.
Residents in both Norfolk and Newport News have long expressed concerns about the coal dust from passing trains and its potential health impacts. One mother previously shared her story with The Virginian-Pilot, explaining that her son developed asthma after moving to the Southeast Community, where dust from the coal terminals is a persistent issue.
While previous studies have not conclusively linked the coal terminals to health risks, they have raised concerns. A 2017 Norfolk study found particulate matter levels in the air to be below federal thresholds and not a risk to public health. However, a 2005 Peninsula study did not find a direct link between coal dust and health issues but noted that the asthma rate in the community was significantly higher than city and state averages.
The Lamberts Point terminal has been operational since 1885, while the Southeast Community coal terminals began operations in the 1880s. Both terminals can handle millions of tons of coal annually, loading it from rail cars onto cargo vessels for international shipping.
The study is expected to begin construction 60 days after the bid is awarded, according to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Irina Calos. The project's initial timeline was delayed due to approvals for the monitor sites, the construction award process, and an EPA review of budget increases.
For more information on the study, residents can visit the DEQ's website at [deq.virginia.gov](https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/shortcuts/topics-of-interest/tidewater-air-monitoring-evaluation-project).
The comprehensive air study is a critical step in addressing the concerns of the local community and ensuring the health and well-being of residents living in close proximity to the coal terminals.
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