Coal dust present on schools, homes in South Baltimore neighborhood bordered by coal plant, study finds

BALTIMORE -- Measurable amounts of coal dust are present on schools, playgrounds and houses in South Baltimore's Curtis Bay neighborhood which is bordered by an open-air coal terminal, according to a new Johns Hopkins study.

Curtis Bay borders an industrial area with multiple plants, terminals and port facilities, including an open-air coal export facility owned by CSX.

The findings of the study are consistent with "longstanding community concerns and lived experiences regarding the presence of coal dust in Curtis Bay." 

"This issue has been around for a long time," said Greg Sawtell, with the Community of Curtis Bay Association.

The research project began in 2022 when community advocates asked Johns Hopkins scientists to monitor coal dust exposure in the community after an explosion at the CSX local terminal. Residents argued that the black dust that settled on their homes, cars and outdoor spaces caused health impacts that were being overlooked by state environmental regulators.

"Using electron microscopy to analyze dust samples, the Johns Hopkins team confirmed the presence of coal particles in two areas farther away from the open-air coal terminal than the nearest residential area, one about a quarter of a mile from the CSX coal terminal and one three-quarters of a mile away from the facility," the study reveals.

Curtis Bay community reacts

For decades, Curtis Bay residents have fought against the environmental health risks of the open-air coal terminal which is the second largest coal exporter in the United States but also sits adjacent to neighborhoods.

"When it comes to this idea that we have to choose between having economic development or a healthy and sustainable community, that's where we, the community association, really just say this is a false choice," Sawtell said. "We don't need to be put in that position."

The issue over the environmental risks from the coal plant has galvanized residents for years to fight against CSX and put pressure on the Maryland Department of the Environment to hold the company accountable. 

Three years after an explosion at the site, residents are armed with a new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health which confirmed the presence of measurable amount of coal dust that was feared within the community.

"People were reporting to have lived with the accumulation of dark dust, on their properties on their homes, their playgrounds, schools, places of worship," said Chris Heaney, with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Applying pressure to CSX

The Johns Hopkins study is empowering community activists to pressure local and state leaders to force CSX to present a plan to protect the surrounding community ahead of the December 16 deadline for public comment on whether the state will grant a new five-year operating permit renewal for the company to keep operating.

"It speaks to the day-to-day routine, sort of quality of life effects that could be experienced, within the context of the testimony of residents," Heaney explained.

Respiratory issues, flammable material and a decrease in air quality are just some of the issues residents want addressed. They're hoping this study by Johns Hopkins can create a solution to keep people's health at the top of their minds.  

"Create a transition to safer materials so you're not cutting off economic development and port activity, but you are conditioning it and saying coal is not a good fit for a residential community," Sawtell said. 

"How many Marylanders want to be living with coal dust in their neighborhoods?" Heaney added.  

CSX quality permit renewal

In October, Curtis Bay residents are calling for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to reject the operating permit for the CSX Transportation Coal Export Terminal, citing health, economic and environmental justice concerns. 

At a community meeting, residents argued they wanted to live without the constant presence of coal dust from the nearby coal terminal.

"They're not opening their windows. They're afraid to let their kids go outside," said Shashawnda Campbell. "There are so many upper respiratory issues here."

The Maryland Department of the Environment is prepared to renew the facility's air quality permit to operate after it expired last year. The drafted renewal permit would require the facility to build a physical barrier to prevent coal dust from reaching the community.

"Giving them another permit is to say that we do not care, it is to say that we do not care about the harm that it's caused," Campbell said. "Because they have paid out in fines and they have done the same thing."

MDE officials said the department can enforce restrictions through fines and litigation, but it does not have the power to shut down operations.

Coal dust explosion settlement

In September, CSX settled a class action lawsuit for $1.75 million after a coal dust explosion at the plant rocked the Curtis Bay community in 2021. 

CSX was also fined by MDE and ordered to take a series of corrective actions, including implementing safety improvements at the facility and coordinating with Baltimore City officials to improve emergency response.

Under the settlement with MDE, CSX was also required to fund a community-led energy-efficient rehabilitation of a vacant building to be used as an environmental research, education and training center for the community.  

At the hearing, CSX representative Brian Hammock talked about ongoing efforts at the facility to minimize coal dust pollution.

"In the past 18 months, for example, we've upgraded the water suppression system to include the atomized mist technology," Hammock said.