In a statement, Dr Abathi said while governments and businesses around the world had been co-operating to reduce the likelihood of injury from asbestos and coal dust, fugitive dust from roads and worksites could cause health issues among workers and neighbouring communities.
He said the health costs could be significant for the government, and those failing to stop the problem from occurring.
“We know that airborne particle pollution causes more than 3000 premature deaths each year in Australia,” Dr Abtahi said.
