The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, took into account measurements of ambient air pollution as well as data from previous studies to calculate levels of ambient fine particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5.

It calculated an Australian with a life expectancy of 82.4 years in 2016 would lose 0.178 years from their life as a result of air pollution. 

The figure compares to NSW Health calculations released in 2013 that estimated fine particle pollution resulted in the loss of 296 years of human life in the greater Newcastle area  each year.

It also revealed that 25 deaths a year in Newcastle could be attributed to breathing fine particle pollution.

Two deaths a year were attributed to exposure to fine particle pollution in Muswellbrook and Singleton, resulting in the loss of 30 and 31 years of life.

In addition to traditional sources of fine air pollution such as mining and power station emissions, the study authors indoor air pollution sources such as wood smoke could also be dangerous to human health. 

Doctors for the Environment labelled the Hunter’s air quality regime as “trivial”, “sloppy”, “inadequate”, “ineffective” and “failing to protect human health” following a string of air quality standard exceedances linked to dust from coal mines.

It said government assurances of rigorous conditions and monitoring of Hunter coal mines were no more than empty words after hot, windy conditions left Jerrys Plains with coarse particle pollution figures that breached national 24-hour standards in January.

“What happens when there are air quality exceedances? Nothing,” said Doctors for the Environment member and University of Newcastle epidemiologist Dr Ben Ewald.

“These are called national reporting standards but they’re failing to protect people’s health.”