Bronte Wells
Coal is a fossil fuel and non-renewable energy source that is burned to generate electricity. It is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is the most polluting way to produce electricity. 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. Burning coal releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. These emissions have severe environmental and public health impacts, including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, acid rain, and global warming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global electricity generated by coal | Just over a third |
| CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants | 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022 |
| CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants | 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector in 2022 |
| Increase in global coal-fired generation in 2022 | 3% |
| Increase in coal-fired power generation in China in 2022 | 2% |
| Increase in coal-fired power generation in India in 2022 | 8.5% |
| Increase in coal-fired generation in the European Union | Nearly 7% |
| Health problems caused by coal in Australia | Higher rates of childhood asthma, heart and lung disease, and some cancers |
| Estimated cost of coal's health impacts in Australia | $2.4 billion per year |
| Number of deaths attributed to coal in China in 2013 | 366,000 |
| Number of deaths attributed to coal in India annually | 169,000 |
| Number of coal-related deaths recorded in the US each year | 50,000 |
| Percentage of total mercury emissions in three heavily coal-reliant provinces in Canada caused by coal plants | Over 60% |
| Percentage of total mercury emissions in Saskatchewan, Canada caused by coal plants | Over 75% |
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What You'll Learn
- Coal is a fossil fuel that releases carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change
- Coal-fired power plants emit toxic pollutants, including mercury, lead, and sulfur dioxide, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues
- Coal mining techniques, such as mountaintop removal, alter landscapes and contaminate water sources
- Coal ash storage and landfills can cause pollution that leaches into the ground and contaminates groundwater
- Coal-fired electricity is linked to increased asthma, cancer, heart disease, and other severe health issues
Coal is a fossil fuel that releases carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change
The carbon dioxide released from burning coal acts as a heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. The consequences of this include drought, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and species loss. Recognizing the environmental and health impacts of coal, many countries are transitioning away from coal-fired power generation. However, coal continues to play a significant role in electricity production, especially in emerging economies with rising energy demands, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
To mitigate the effects of coal-fired power generation, some countries are implementing carbon capture technology. For example, China's Taizhou coal-fired power plant in the Jiangsu province is equipped with carbon capture capabilities, demonstrating a commitment to reducing emissions. Additionally, reusing and recycling waste produced from burning coal can help reduce its environmental impact. By capturing and treating coal ash, for instance, the risk of groundwater contamination can be lowered.
While transitioning to cleaner energy sources is crucial, it is challenging for communities that depend on coal mines and plants for their livelihood. Nevertheless, with the availability of cost-effective alternatives and the urgent need to address climate change, reducing coal use in the electricity mix remains a priority to achieve substantial reductions in GHG emissions.
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Coal-fired power plants emit toxic pollutants, including mercury, lead, and sulfur dioxide, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues
Coal-fired power plants are a major source of toxic pollutants, including heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, as well as other harmful substances like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These emissions have significant impacts on both the environment and human health.
Mercury, a potent neurotoxin, can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems and poses a serious threat to child development. Even in small amounts, mercury can contaminate water bodies, making fish unsafe to eat. Lead, another toxic heavy metal, is linked to neurological problems and developmental issues in children. Lead exposure has been associated with reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioural problems.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is produced when sulfur in coal reacts with oxygen, forming small, acidic particulates that can penetrate human lungs. It contributes to acid rain, which has detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure. Sulfur dioxide is also a respiratory irritant, exacerbating conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from coal-fired power plants contribute to the formation of smog and ground-level ozone, which can trigger respiratory issues and aggravate cardiovascular diseases. Particulate matter, often referred to as soot, is the ashy grey substance in coal smoke. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and increased risk of heart attacks.
Coal-fired power plants also release carbon monoxide, which is particularly harmful to individuals with heart disease, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to ozone formation. Additionally, the burning of coal releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary driver of global warming and climate change.
To mitigate these harmful emissions, various measures have been implemented. Flue gas desulfurization equipment, or "scrubbers," are used to remove sulfur from smoke before it exits smokestacks. Electrostatic precipitators and baghouses are employed to capture particulates and heavy metals from the smoke. Carbon capture and storage technologies are also being explored to reduce CO2 emissions, with some plants already adopting this approach.
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Coal mining techniques, such as mountaintop removal, alter landscapes and contaminate water sources
Mountaintop removal is a form of surface coal mining that involves removing up to 800 feet off the tops of mountains to reach coal seams that are otherwise inaccessible due to steep terrain or thin veins. This process involves deforestation and the use of explosives and heavy machinery, which has significant environmental and health impacts.
One of the most prominent impacts of mountaintop removal is the alteration of landscapes. This mining technique can lead to large-scale changes in the topography, completely reshaping the land by flattening and levelling the terrain. The removal of mountaintops leaves behind pits or hollow shells, filling the valleys with waste rock and soil. In some areas of West Virginia, mountaintop removal mining has levelled up to 10% of the landscape.
Mountaintop removal also has severe consequences for water sources. The mining process contaminates water with cleaning chemicals, proprietary formulas, heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, and other toxic materials. These contaminants pollute streams, rivers, and even drinking water sources for nearby communities. The EPA's water analyses revealed exceptionally high levels of conductivity in these water sources, indicating the presence of heavy metals, salts, and inorganic compounds. The increased water contact with overburden leads to elevated levels of selenium, total dissolved solids, and other harmful substances.
The environmental damage caused by mountaintop removal extends beyond the immediate mining site. The loss of vegetation and forests contributes to climate change as the destroyed trees no longer store carbon. Additionally, the burning of mined coal releases carbon into the atmosphere. The increased traffic on roads built over the mines also contributes to air pollution, and the noise from blasting can drive residents away from their homes.
The health impacts of mountaintop removal are significant. Studies have shown higher rates of mortality, cardiovascular disease, birth defects, lung cancer, and chronic heart, lung, and kidney disease in counties with mountaintop removal mining. The air and water contamination resulting from this mining technique expose nearby communities to toxins, dust, and pollutants, leading to increased health risks and negative impacts on human well-being.
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Coal ash storage and landfills can cause pollution that leaches into the ground and contaminates groundwater
Coal ash storage and landfills have been known to cause pollution that leaches into the ground and contaminates groundwater. Coal ash is the residue of burning coal and contains hazardous pollutants, including arsenic, chromium, lead, lithium, mercury, radium, selenium, and other heavy metals. These toxic metals are easily leached out of coal ash and can contaminate underlying groundwater, affecting drinking water supplies.
In the United States, coal plants produce approximately 75 million tons of coal ash every year, and it is estimated that 91% of coal plants are contaminating groundwater above safe drinking water standards. This has led to widespread contamination, with unsafe levels of pollution reported in groundwater in 39 states and Puerto Rico. The contamination is not limited to the United States, with similar issues reported in other countries, such as India.
The issue of coal ash pollution has been addressed through litigation and grassroots activism, leading to the implementation of protective requirements for coal ash disposal. In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Coal Ash Rule, which requires utilities to conduct groundwater monitoring, close leaking ash ponds, clean up polluted groundwater, and disclose their studies and actions. However, progress in cleaning up contaminated groundwater and safely closing coal ash ponds has been slow.
The contamination of groundwater by coal ash has severe environmental and health impacts. It can cause fish kills, deformities in fish and amphibians, and health hazards to people consuming contaminated water or exposed to toxic pollutants. The release of bioaccumulative toxic pollutants from coal ash has been linked to various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, reproductive failure, and neurological harm.
The remediation and cleanup of coal ash storage and landfills are crucial to preventing further pollution and mitigating the negative consequences on the environment and human health. It is essential to develop effective strategies and technologies to address the toxic waste generated by coal-fired power plants and protect communities and ecosystems from the harmful effects of coal ash contamination.
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Coal-fired electricity is linked to increased asthma, cancer, heart disease, and other severe health issues
Coal-fired electricity is a major contributor to air pollution and has severe impacts on human health. The burning of coal releases fine particles containing a potent mix of toxins, including arsenic and selenium, which have been linked to asthma, cancer, heart disease, and other severe health issues.
Asthma
Coal-fired power plants emit a range of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particles known as PM2.5. These pollutants are particularly harmful to people with asthma, exacerbating symptoms and leading to increased hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and even deaths. A study in Louisville, Kentucky, found that reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions from four coal-fired power plants were associated with improved asthma outcomes and a decrease in the use of rescue inhalers in the area. The results suggest that transitioning away from coal-fired electricity generation could significantly reduce the burden of asthma nationwide.
Cancer
Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter generated from coal-fired power plants has been hypothesized to contribute to lung cancer incidence at the national level. While epidemiologic studies have not yet directly attributed these health burdens to energy consumption, the generating capacity of coal-fired power plants and the associated increase in air pollution suggest a potential link to lung cancer cases.
Heart Disease
Exposure to coal emissions over a long period has been identified as a significant risk factor for heart disease. A study found that the risk of death from heart disease, including heart attacks, was five times higher for individuals who breathed pollution from coal emissions for 20 years compared to those exposed to other types of air pollution. In the United States alone, coal-fired power plant pollution contributes to one in every five heart-disease-related deaths, highlighting the severe impact of coal-related air pollution on cardiovascular health.
Other Health Issues
In addition to asthma, cancer, and heart disease, coal-fired electricity generation has been linked to various other health issues. The fine particles and toxins released during coal combustion can have systemic effects on the body, leading to potential long-term health consequences that are not yet fully understood. Studies have suggested a link between coal-fired power plants and low birth weight, indicating that exposure to coal emissions during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on fetal development.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal power plants emit large amounts of toxic and noxious gases, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. These pollutants are linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and other severe health issues.
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. It also causes environmental contamination, affecting the air, water, and land. Coal mining can also alter landscapes, and the water draining from these sites may contain pollutants harmful to aquatic life.
Inhalation of coal particles and hazardous substances can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and other health issues. Coal pollution has been linked to increased rates of childhood asthma, heart and lung disease, and certain types of cancer. It is also associated with premature death.
