Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden

Researchers want the Heavy Vehicle National Law to consider health impacts from truck emissions. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Pollution from heavy vehicles is costing Australia more than $6.2 billion a year in premature deaths and serious medical conditions such as childhood asthma and strokes.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne issued the warning on Monday in an analysis of dangerous emissions from trucks and buses on Australian roads.