The senate committee will hear submissions from 12 industry groups and individuals who live near rail lines as part of a federal air-quality inquiry.

The inquiry has already held hearings in Newcastle, where residents blamed uncovered coal at ports and on trains for a raft of health issues.

Greens MP Richard Di Natale referred the inquiry and told The Australian that people exposed coal dust were at risk of serious illness.

"The exposure makes people seriously unwell and in some cases can cause death," he said.

"The evidence in the international literature is unambiguous."

The inquiry will make recommendations to parliament in August with the hope of mandating covers for coal. Much of the coal railed through Queensland is being sprayed with an adhesive veneer that has reduced dust emissions by up to 75%.

Veneering is currently the accepted best practice in dealing with dust emissions from loaded coal trains. It involves spraying a biodegradable, non-toxic polymer solution to the surface of loaded coal before leaving a loading facility.

It dries to form a flexible crust over the coal which, based on experience in central Queensland, has physically inhibited dust.

The senate inquiry will be held at Queensland's Parliament House from 9am tomorrow.