Victoria's coal-fired power plants released more than a tonne of mercury into the atmosphere during 2017-18, and were the greatest source of fine-particle pollution nationwide.
Victoria's three coal-fired-power plants collectively pumped 1,007.5 kilograms of mercury into the atmosphere, with Yallourn power station single-handedly emitting 435kg of mercury — the highest in the country.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare believes that up to 3,000 deaths in Australia each year are a direct result of air pollution, such as that caused by fine particle emissions.
According to a report released on Friday from Australia's National Pollutant Inventory.