Coal Pollution: Is Coal Causing Environmental Damage?

Coal is a carbon-rich black rock that releases energy when burned. It is a major source of energy, with the US burning over a billion tons of coal a year. However, coal mining and burning coal releases massive amounts of pollution, including toxic and carcinogenic substances, into the air, water, and land. This has severe impacts on the environment and public health. So, what exactly is the impact of coal on pollution?

Coal mining techniques and their impact on the environment

Coal mining has several negative impacts on the environment, and these effects persist even after restoration efforts. The environmental consequences of coal mining highlight the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources.

There are two primary methods of coal mining: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining, also called strip mining, is when huge machines remove layers of soil and rock to expose underground coal deposits. In 2022, about 63% of coal mined in the US came from surface mines. This method is extremely disruptive to the local environment, as companies must clear forests and strip away the earth, leaving behind desolate lands incapable of supporting wildlife. The lack of vegetation exposes the soil to precipitation, which can then carry away the topsoil into nearby waterways, disrupting the natural flow of streams and decreasing the available aquatic habitat.

Mountaintop removal is a particularly destructive form of surface mining. Explosives are used to blast away the tops of mountains, removing up to 600 feet or more of elevation. The excess rock and soil are then dumped into large, downward-sloping runoff paths in adjacent valleys, called valley fills. These valley fills permanently bury headwater streams, causing critical losses in wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and natural benefits like nutrient regulation and flood control. More than 2,000 miles of headwater streams have been lost due to mountaintop removal.

Underground mines generally affect the landscape less than surface mines. However, they are not without their own environmental impacts. The ground above mine tunnels can collapse, and acidic water can drain from abandoned mines. Additionally, methane gas that occurs in coal deposits can explode if it becomes concentrated in underground mines. In 2021, methane emissions from active and abandoned coal mines accounted for about 7% of total US methane emissions and about 1% of total US greenhouse gas emissions.

The environmental challenges posed by coal mining include coal mine accidents, land subsidence, damage to the water environment, mining waste disposal, and air pollution. These issues can lead to landscape changes and environmental pollution.

Air pollution and health issues caused by coal

Coal is a polluting energy source that releases massive amounts of pollution, causing health issues and contributing to climate change. When burned, coal releases airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals.

Coal-fired power plants are linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and even premature death. In the United States, air pollution from coal-fired power plants contributes to four of the five leading causes of mortality: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases. These health impacts come at a high cost, with Australia's coal-related health issues costing taxpayers an estimated $2.4 billion annually.

The burning of coal also emits toxic and carcinogenic substances into the air, water, and land, severely affecting the health of miners, workers, and nearby communities. The release of mercury, a toxic heavy metal, poses a serious threat to child development and contaminates waterways, making fish unsafe to eat. Sulfur dioxide, produced when coal burns, forms small acidic particulates that penetrate human lungs, causing asthma, bronchitis, and smog. Nitrogen oxides, visible as smog, irritate the lungs, making people more susceptible to chronic respiratory diseases.

Particulate matter, often referred to as "soot," is linked to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks. Additionally, coal combustion releases carbon monoxide, which causes headaches and adds stress to individuals with heart disease. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also emitted, contributing to ozone formation, and arsenic, which is a carcinogen.

Water pollution caused by coal ash

Coal ash is a toxic byproduct of burning coal, and it is a major contributor to water pollution. When coal is burned in power plants, it produces a mixture of feather-light dust and rock-laden material known as coal ash. This ash contains a range of harmful substances, including heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and selenium. These toxins can have devastating effects on both human health and the environment.

Coal ash is often disposed of in unlined ponds and landfills, which allows the toxins to leak into groundwater. According to data from the coal industry, a staggering 94% of coal ash ponds in the United States lack a protective lining. This means that toxic substances are able to seep into the underlying groundwater, threatening the drinking water sources for millions of people. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), almost all of these unlined coal ash ponds are contaminating groundwater with toxin levels that exceed safe drinking water standards.

The consequences of coal ash pollution are dire. Research has shown that exposure to coal ash through contaminated water sources can lead to serious health issues, including birth defects, heart and lung disease, and various types of cancer. The toxins in coal ash have also been linked to neurological problems and reproductive failure. Additionally, coal ash pollution has had catastrophic impacts on aquatic life, causing fish kills and deformities in fish and amphibians.

The issue of coal ash water pollution is widespread and persistent. A recent report revealed that out of nearly 300 coal plants in the United States, very few have initiated clean-up efforts or even have plans to do so. This inaction poses a severe threat to the environment and public health, as toxic coal ash continues to contaminate water sources across the country.

To address this pressing issue, stricter enforcement of regulations and increased accountability for power companies are crucial. Community engagement and advocacy are also essential to ensuring timely and comprehensive clean-up efforts. By working together, we can mitigate the harmful effects of coal ash water pollution and protect the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems affected by this toxic menace.

Global warming and climate change due to coal

Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed over thousands of years due to heat and pressure. It releases energy when burned and is used to generate electricity. However, coal is the most polluting way to produce electricity. Coal mining and the burning of coal in power stations release massive amounts of pollution, damaging our health and contributing to intensifying climate change.

Coal is a major contributor to global warming. Coal plants emit carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. In 2022, CO2 emissions from burning coal for energy accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and about 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. Globally, coal combustion accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions from energy use.

The burning of coal also releases fine particles called aerosols, which include black carbon or soot, and sulfates. Soot contributes to global warming by absorbing heat and contributing to ice melt. Sulfates have a cooling effect as they form clouds that reflect the sun's heat away from the Earth. However, the overall effect of coal on global temperatures is warming, and the cooling effect of sulfates is not a reason to continue using coal.

Health Impacts of Coal

The airborne toxins and pollutants released from burning coal include mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and heavy metals. These pollutants have severe health impacts, including asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and premature death. In the US, coal-related deaths are recorded at 50,000 per year, and coal-fired power stations contribute to four of the five leading causes of mortality: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Water Pollution from Coal

Coal-fired power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash annually, with more than half of that waste ending up in water bodies, contaminating waterways and drinking water supplies. Coal mining practices such as mountaintop removal mining also destroy mountain streams and valleys and cause acid rock drainage, further impacting water sources.

Transition Away from Coal

The transition away from coal is essential to mitigate its worst impacts on the environment and public health. Coal-fired power plants are closing in record numbers, and the development of clean, renewable energy sources offers a promising alternative. However, the process must be fair and address the needs of affected societal groups, including job creation and economic development, to ensure a successful transition to a sustainable future.

The economic impact of coal pollution

Coal is a cornerstone of economic development, contributing to social progress and quality of life worldwide. Its reliability, affordability, and availability have made it a widely adopted energy source in both developed and developing countries. However, coal production and use have significant economic impacts, particularly in the context of pollution and environmental concerns.

The burning of coal releases toxic substances, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other heavy metals, into the air, water, and land. These emissions contribute to air pollution, leading to severe health issues such as asthma, respiratory illnesses, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and even premature death. The economic cost of treating these health issues can be substantial, as seen in Australia, where coal's health impacts cost taxpayers an estimated $2.4 billion annually. Similarly, in the United States, coal-related deaths are recorded at 50,000 per year, with air pollution from coal-fired power stations contributing to serious health issues.

Coal mining and power plants also heavily impact water sources such as lakes, rivers, and drinking water supplies. Coal-fired power plants produce over 100 million tons of coal ash annually, with more than half of this waste ending up in water bodies and landfills. This coal ash can contaminate waterways and drinking water sources over time, leading to potential economic costs associated with water treatment and the potential loss of revenue from affected water-dependent industries.

Additionally, coal-fired power plants contribute to global warming and climate change. The burning of coal releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a heat-trapping gas that contributes to rising global temperatures. The consequences of global warming, such as drought, sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather, can have significant economic impacts. For example, the cost of adapting to climate change and mitigating its impacts can be substantial, and certain economic sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

While coal has been an important source of employment and income for many communities, the transition towards cleaner energy sources is gaining momentum due to environmental and health concerns. This transition may have short-term economic impacts on coal-dependent communities, but it is essential for avoiding the worst consequences of coal pollution.

Frequently asked questions