A shocking report unleashed the escalated risk of cancer at a coal loading facility in the NSW Hunter region. It has been claimed by a team from the University of Newcastle that workers at Kooragang Island were found to be at three times more risk of being identified with cancer as compared to general population.

The team had studied the date of 859 people who were working there, between 1983 to 2006, and concluded that some 63 people were identified with cancer including 58 men. It has further been claimed that WorkCover, which is commissioning the research, is very much in touch with the Department of Health and the Office of Environment and Heritage to make sure that all possible steps are being taken in the same context.

It has further been claimed that some 66% of the confirmed cases identified were affected by either of Melanoma, prostate and bowel cancers. "This is probably the range where the risk can be managed”, said Epidemiology professor John Attia, who led the research, while claiming that the risk found was in the mid-range of hazardous workplaces.

There is dire need to ascertain the results so that possible steps can be taken in future else there are chances of things going haywire.