Air Pollution From Coal Power Plants: How Much?

Coal-burning power plants emit a variety of harmful substances into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, arsenic, and other toxic heavy metals. These emissions contribute to global warming, air pollution, and public health issues such as asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, and neurological problems. The release of mercury from coal plants is particularly concerning, as it can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems and pose a serious threat to child development. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) released from coal-burning power plants has been associated with an increased risk of mortality, with an estimated 460,000 deaths attributed to emissions from these plants between 1999 and 2020. While the installation of pollution control technology and the retirement of some coal power plants have led to a decline in mortality rates, coal-fired power plants continue to have a significant impact on the environment and public health.

Coal power plants emit harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

Coal-burning power plants emit harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the atmosphere, which has been linked to a range of adverse health effects and environmental issues. PM2.5 refers to airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, which can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and cause significant harm.

Coal-fired power plants release a variety of pollutants, including heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and particulate matter. The combustion of coal releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the primary driver of global warming and climate change. CO2 emissions from coal combustion are significant, with nearly 4 grams of CO2 produced for every gram of carbon burned. Coal is a major contributor to the US's CO2 emissions, accounting for about 19% of total energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022.

In addition to CO2, coal power plants emit harmful pollutants such as mercury, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Mercury, a toxic heavy metal released from coal plants, can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems and poses a serious threat to child development. Sulfur dioxide, formed when sulfur in coal reacts with oxygen, creates small acidic particulates that can penetrate human lungs and contribute to respiratory illnesses and acid rain.

Particulate matter, often referred to as "soot," is of particular concern. This ashy grey substance in coal smoke is linked to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. According to a study by George Mason University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Harvard School of Public Health, exposure to PM2.5 from coal-fired power plants is associated with a more than double risk of mortality compared to PM2.5 from other sources. The study estimated that 460,000 deaths between 1999 and 2020 could be attributed to coal PM2.5 emissions.

While there has been a notable decline in deaths associated with coal PM2.5 due to the installation of pollution control technology and the retirement of some coal power plants, it remains a significant health concern. Coal power plants can utilise electrostatic precipitators or baghouses to remove particulates and heavy metals from smoke. Additionally, carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) are emerging as potential solutions to capture and store CO2 emissions, mitigating their climate impact.

Coal plants are responsible for 42% of US mercury emissions

Coal-burning power plants are a major source of air pollution, and their emissions have been linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, acid rain, and global warming. In 2022, coal combustion 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.

Coal plants are responsible for a significant proportion of US mercury emissions, a toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, coal plants contribute about 42% of US mercury emissions. Mercury is released during the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels, and coal has much higher mercury concentrations than other fossil fuels. As a result, coal-fired power plants often emit larger amounts of mercury pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the dangers of mercury pollution and proposed regulations to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. In 2000, the EPA announced plans to mandate a reduction in mercury emissions, with proposed regulations by 2003 and final implementation rules by 2004. The EPA's National Emissions Inventory reported that US coal power plants emitted 45,676 pounds of mercury in 2014, the latest year for which data is available.

Mercury emitted from coal plants has both local and global reach. It contaminates land, oceans, and streams, eventually transforming into methylmercury, which accumulates in our food, particularly fish. As a result, all fish from US waters have detectable mercury levels, and consumption advisories are in place across all 50 states. People living near coal-fired power plants are disproportionately affected by mercury pollution, but its ability to travel means it remains a concern for communities nationwide.

To address mercury emissions, various methods have been suggested, including selective mining of coal to avoid high-mercury areas, coal washing to reduce mercury content, switching to natural gas, and post-combustion removal of mercury from power plant stack emissions. Additionally, using high-rank coals with lower mercury concentrations can help reduce mercury emissions and minimize health risks associated with mercury exposure.

Coal-fired power plants are linked with asthma, cancer, and heart disease

Coal-fired power plants emit a variety of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury. These emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and have been linked to adverse health effects such as asthma, cancer, and heart disease.

Asthma is a respiratory condition that can be triggered and exacerbated by air pollution. Multiple studies have found that reductions in emissions from coal-fired power plants, particularly sulfur dioxide, lead to improvements in asthma symptoms. For example, a study in Louisville, Kentucky, showed that converting coal-fired power plants to natural gas or installing scrubbers to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions resulted in decreased use of asthma medication and fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to asthma.

Coal-fired power plants have also been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Research suggests that exposure to ambient particulate matter and pollutants generated from these power plants can have long-term health consequences. A global study analyzing lung cancer incidence rates from 2000 to 2016 found a positive association between the generating capacity of coal-fired power plants and lung cancer cases, with a higher relative risk among females.

Additionally, coal-fired power plants have been identified as a significant contributor to heart disease. Fine particles from coal emissions have been found to be more harmful to the heart than other sources of pollution. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that lowering power plant carbon pollution could help Americans avoid 1,700 heart attacks and 3,600 premature deaths.

The adverse health impacts of coal-fired power plants have led to efforts to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. Regulations, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in the United States, aim to mitigate the environmental and health consequences of coal-fired power generation. Additionally, technologies like carbon capture and scrubbers are being employed to reduce emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of coal-burning power plants on asthma, cancer, and heart disease.

Carbon capture can reduce CO2 emissions from coal plants

Coal-burning power plants emit a variety of harmful substances into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), mercury, sulfur dioxide, lead, cadmium, carbon monoxide, arsenic, and volatile organic compounds. These emissions have been linked to a range of health and environmental issues, such as asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, acid rain, and global warming.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies offer a promising solution to reduce CO2 emissions from coal plants. CCS involves capturing CO2 at the source, separating it from other gases, and transporting it to storage locations, typically deep underground in geological repositories. This process prevents the CO2 from being released into the atmosphere, thereby mitigating its contribution to global warming and climate change.

One method of carbon capture is through the use of monoethanolamine (MEA) post-combustion for flue gas separation. This technique captures the CO2 released during coal combustion and separates it from other gases, allowing for its compression, transportation, and secure storage. Other methods include the use of membranes, pre-combustion gasification, oxidation, solid sorbents, and metal organic frameworks, each with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency and energy requirements.

The effectiveness of carbon capture in reducing CO2 emissions has been demonstrated in several projects worldwide. For instance, the SaskPower Boundary Dam project in Saskatchewan, Canada, successfully retrofitted an existing coal-fired power plant with carbon capture technology, selling the captured carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Similarly, the Shell Quest project in Alberta, Canada, captures approximately one million tons of carbon dioxide annually from hydrogen production units and stores it in a deep saline formation.

In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, carbon capture technologies can also contribute to economic opportunities. For example, revenue generated from selling captured carbon dioxide to EOR operators can help offset the costs of implementing capture technology at power plants. Furthermore, carbon capture can be used to produce synthetic natural gas, fertilizers, and other byproducts, further enhancing its practical applications.

While carbon capture shows promise in mitigating CO2 emissions from coal plants, it is important to acknowledge that it is not the sole solution. Carbon capture technologies are still in their early commercial stages, and challenges such as energy intensity and cost may arise. Therefore, a comprehensive approach involving a variety of strategies, such as renewable energy sources and emissions regulations, is necessary to address the complex issue of air pollution from coal-burning power plants.

Coal ash can contaminate groundwater and damage the environment

Coal ash, a residue created when coal is burned in power plants, contains a toxic mix of pollutants, including arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, lead, radium, selenium, and more. These pollutants are known to cause cancer, heart disease, reproductive issues, strokes, and long-lasting neurological damage.

Coal ash is often stored in ponds or landfills, and when it rains, the water can transport these contaminants to the underlying groundwater, affecting drinking water supplies. This has been shown to occur at the New Castle plant, where groundwater sampling revealed arsenic levels 372 times higher than EPA health standards and lithium levels 54 times higher than the proposed federal standard. This contamination is not limited to a single site, as a study by environmental groups found unsafe levels of arsenic and lithium in the groundwater near 52% and 60% of US power plants, respectively.

The Clean Water Act requires industries to reduce pollutants released into the water, and the federal Coal Ash Rule mandates that companies sample groundwater at regulated coal ash dumps. However, enforcement of these rules has been lacking, and communities have been left to hold industries accountable through lawsuits. The Trump administration even rolled back regulations, extending the time power companies can store coal ash in unlined ponds, further exacerbating the issue.

The impact of coal ash contamination extends beyond the immediate surroundings of power plants. For example, mountaintop removal and valley fill mining in the Appalachian Mountains have altered the landscape and affected streams. While US laws require dust and water runoff control in these areas, the pollution leaching from coal ash storage and landfills can still contaminate groundwater and harm the environment and aquatic wildlife downstream.

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