The state government is being urged to do more to address the source of particle pollution across New South Wales, as new data shows the impact of pollution in mining regions.

Environmental Justice Australia has analysed the state's air monitoring data for 2015 and found several places that exceeded national standards for particle pollution.

Researcher, James Whelan said coal mining is a major contributor.

"Particle pollution is responsible for more than 3,000 premature deaths in Australia each year, they're deaths that are entirely preventable," he said.

New national standards for coarse particles, known as PM10, are an annual average of 25g/m3 and a 24 hour average of 50g/m3.

The data collected by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) during 2015 shows the highest 24 hour average concentrations of coarse particles, PM10, were recorded in Wagga Wagga (145.1g/m3), most likely due to agricultural activity.

But Dr Whelan said some of the worst results were in the Newcastle suburbs of Stockton (101.4), Mayfield (84.7) and Carrington (80.6).

He wants action from the Environment Minister Mark Speakman and said covering coal wagons and stockpiles of coal in the Port of Newcastle would be a great place to start.

He said the Environment Minister must act on recommendations to cut pollution.

"The NSW government commissioned a best practice guide into controlling coal dust in 2011, so for four years our state government has known all the measures it needs to take to control coal dust.

"Covering coal wagons is among them and covering coal stockpiles, and in Newcastle we have 3 of the world's largest coal stockpiles, right in residential areas," he said.

EPA points to pollution studies

The EPA has issued a statement in response, saying air quality in NSW is generally considered to be good by international standards and has been improving.

It said studies are currently underway to better understand air quality in Newcastle and the Hunter region, which are due to be released in early 2016.

The EPA said elevated levels of particulates in the suburb of Stockton are likely due to sea salt in the air resulting from its proximity to the beach.

The EPA also attributed the high levels of PM10 recorded across the Newcastle area to a state wide dust storm event during May.

In relation to the covering of coal wagons, the EPA said the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Mary O'Kane is continuing her review of rail coal dust emissions management.