Meghan Hodges
Coal is a fossil fuel and non-renewable energy source that is inexpensive to produce and convert to useful energy. However, coal power plants are a major source of pollution, releasing toxic and carcinogenic substances into the air, water, and land. These pollutants include carbon dioxide, mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. The continuous inhalation of these hazardous substances can trigger respiratory and cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and other health problems. Coal power plants also contribute to climate change, with carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal accounting for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022. The health impacts of coal pollution are disproportionately felt by children and low-income households, with coal-related air pollution linked to adverse birth outcomes and increased school absences. In addition, the environmental impacts of coal mining, such as mountaintop removal and valley fill mining, can alter landscapes and contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Coal is a fossil fuel and the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Air pollution | Coal-fired power plants release toxins and pollutants such as mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals into the air. |
| Water pollution | Coal ash and bottom ash residues from burning coal can contaminate groundwater and drinking water supplies. |
| Health impacts | Inhalation of coal particles and pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and other serious health issues. |
| Environmental impacts | Coal mining can alter landscapes, contaminate waterways, and impact aquatic wildlife. |
| Climate change | Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that contributes to climate change. |
| Deaths | Air pollution from coal power plants has been linked to increased mortality, with an estimated 460,000 deaths attributed to coal emissions between 1999 and 2020 in the United States. |
| Clean energy transition | The transition to cleaner energy sources is essential to reducing coal's environmental and health impacts and improving air quality. |
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What You'll Learn
Coal power and air pollution
Coal is a fossil fuel and non-renewable energy source that is combusted to generate electricity. Coal-fired power plants are a major source of air pollution, releasing large quantities of particles as aerosols into the atmosphere. The burning of coal releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. These pollutants have been linked to a range of negative health impacts, including asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and even premature death.
Coal-fired power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash every year, which can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies. Additionally, mountaintop removal and valley fill mining methods used in coal extraction can lead to the obliteration of mountain streams and valleys, impacting aquatic wildlife and contributing to water pollution.
The continuous inhalation of hazardous substances from coal combustion triggers many diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, systemic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Research has found a direct link between coal-related air pollution and children's health, with low-income neighborhoods often bearing the brunt of coal's impacts.
The health risks associated with coal pollution are gaining recognition, with medical organizations describing climate change as a "health emergency." The transition away from coal towards cleaner sources of electricity is crucial for mitigating coal's worst impacts on the environment and public health. Investments in clean energy are outpacing those in fossil fuels, with a growing focus on solar and low-emissions technologies.
Technological advancements, such as carbon capture and pollution control devices, are also being explored to reduce emissions and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of coal-fired power plants. While these measures have led to a decline in mortality rates, the overall impact of coal pollution remains significant, and further efforts are needed to address this global challenge.
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Coal power and water pollution
Coal power is a major source of environmental pollution, particularly air pollution, which has been linked to a high number of deaths. However, coal power also contributes significantly to water pollution. Coal-fired power plants produce millions of tons of coal ash annually, which is often stored in coal ash ponds or landfills. These ponds are often placed in low-income communities and communities of colour, and when compromised, can leak toxic substances into nearby freshwater sources, including lakes, rivers, and streams. In 2000, a Kentucky coal slurry impoundment breach contaminated hundreds of miles of waterways with 300 million gallons of sludge. Coal ash stored near power plants can also leach into the ground, contaminating groundwater.
The coal mining process itself also impacts water sources. Surface mining, which accounts for about 63% of coal mined in the US, involves removing soil and rock above coal deposits, altering the landscape and filling valleys. The water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants harmful to aquatic life. Underground mines are safer in terms of landscape alteration but can still suffer tunnel collapses, and abandoned mines can release acidic water and methane gas.
Wastewater from coal-fired power plants can contribute to "thermal pollution," where the discharged water is hotter than the receiving water source, negatively impacting fish fertility and heart rate. While "wet-recirculating" plants reuse water, they consume more water per year due to losses during the cooling process. Coal power plants also withdraw substantial amounts of water for cooling, with a typical once-through system using 70 to 180 billion gallons of water annually.
To reduce water pollution, the US has implemented the Clean Water Act, requiring industries to minimise pollutants released into water sources. This has led to the development of technologies to remove impurities from coal and increase energy efficiency, reducing the amount of coal burned. Additionally, coal waste can be reused or recycled to produce materials like cement and synthetic gypsum, mitigating environmental impacts.
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Coal power and climate change
Coal-fired power plants are major contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. The burning of coal releases a range of harmful pollutants and toxins, including carbon dioxide, mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to a host of environmental and public health issues, such as global warming, acid rain, and respiratory illnesses.
Coal is a carbon-rich rock formed deep underground over thousands of years. In the United States, coal accounts for about 30% of electricity generation, contributing significantly to the country's carbon emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted from burning fossil fuels, and in 2022, coal-fired power plants were responsible for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of CO2 emissions from the electric power sector.
The impact of coal-fired power plants on human health cannot be overstated. Particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, from coal has been found to have severe health consequences, including respiratory issues, neurological problems, and an increased risk of mortality. A study by Harvard University researchers revealed that between 1999 and 2007, coal-fired power plants were responsible for approximately 43,000 deaths per year in the United States. The researchers also emphasized the urgency of addressing coal power's continued presence in some US states' energy portfolios, as well as the projected increase in global coal use for electricity generation.
The pollution emitted by coal-fired power plants disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, particularly low-income households and children. Research has shown that closing power plants can significantly improve children's health and academic performance. Additionally, the transition towards cleaner energy sources not only reduces inequity but also improves overall air quality, benefiting the health of people across all demographics.
While efforts have been made to reduce emissions, such as the use of scrubbers or flue gas desulfurization equipment, the reality is that coal power continues to have devastating effects on both the environment and human health. As countries grapple with energy choices, it is essential to weigh the costs of cheap energy against the significant environmental and health consequences of coal power. The phasing out of coal requires a well-planned transition that considers the impact on affected communities and stakeholders, ensuring a just and sustainable shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.
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Coal power and health
Coal power is a major contributor to environmental pollution and has severe impacts on human health. The combustion of coal releases harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, toxins, and greenhouse gases, which have been linked to various health issues, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological problems, and cancer.
Coal-fired power plants emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is of particular concern. Research has found that for every 1 μg/m3 increase in coal PM2.5, mortality rates increase by 1.12%. This is more than twice the risk associated with general PM2.5 exposure from all air pollution sources. From 1999 to 2020, it is estimated that 460,000 deaths could have been avoided in the absence of emissions from coal power plants. The installation of pollution control technology, such as emissions scrubbers, has been shown to effectively reduce mortality rates associated with coal-fired power plants.
In addition to PM2.5, coal combustion releases toxins like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. These pollutants have been linked to asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, and neurological disorders. The health impacts of coal pollution extend beyond physical ailments, as it has also been associated with negative birth outcomes and increased school absences in children, particularly from low-income households.
The environmental contamination caused by coal mining and power generation also has indirect health consequences. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining, for example, can alter landscapes and contaminate waterways, affecting aquatic life and drinking water supplies. Climate change, driven in part by coal's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, poses long-term global health risks, particularly as extreme heat events worsen and place intense pressure on health services.
Transitioning away from coal towards cleaner sources of electricity is essential for mitigating coal's worst impacts on human health and the environment. This transition has already shown positive results, with declining mortality rates attributed to coal power plant retirements and the implementation of air pollution regulations that reduce emissions.
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Coal power and environmental contamination
Coal is an abundant and inexpensive fuel source, but its production and use have significant environmental and health impacts. Coal-fired power plants are a major source of environmental pollution, releasing large quantities of particles and toxins into the atmosphere, water, and land. The combustion of coal generates about a quarter of all electricity in the US and is the most polluting way to produce electricity.
The toxins released from coal-fired power plants include carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, harmful solid particles, liquid droplets, and various heavy metals. These emissions contribute to air pollution, which has been linked to asthma, breathing difficulties, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, cancer, and premature death. The Clean Air Act and The Clean Water Act have helped to reduce pollutants released by the coal industry, and the development of new technologies has also aided in removing impurities from coal. However, coal-burning power plants are still a major source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, which has been associated with an increased risk of death. Research has found that for every 1 μg/m3 increase in coal PM2.5, mortality increased by 1.12%.
In addition to air pollution, coal production and use can also lead to water pollution and contamination. Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies if not properly disposed of. Acid rock drainage from coal mines and the obliteration of mountain streams and valleys by mountaintop removal mining are other ways in which coal production can impact water sources.
The environmental and health impacts of coal are not limited to the surrounding communities of coal-fired power plants but also extend to the workers and miners exposed to coal dust and pollutants. In Australia, coal's health impacts have led to higher rates of childhood asthma, heart and lung disease, and some cancers, costing taxpayers an estimated $2.4 billion annually. The transition to cleaner sources of electricity is essential to avoiding the worst impacts of coal and reducing the inequity associated with current fossil fuel dependence.
While the retirement of coal power plants and the implementation of pollution control technologies have led to a decline in associated deaths, the health risks associated with coal pollution are still severely impacting human health and the environment. The British Medical Journal has described climate change, to which coal significantly contributes, as "a health emergency." As such, continued efforts to reduce coal emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources are crucial for mitigating the environmental and health impacts of coal power.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal power has been linked to climate change, air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution. It is the most polluting way to produce electricity. When coal is burned, it releases massive amounts of pollution, including greenhouse gases, toxic and carcinogenic substances, and airborne toxins and pollutants.
Coal power has been linked to various diseases and health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and premature death. It is also associated with increased risks of death, with an estimated 460,000 deaths attributed to coal power plant emissions between 1999 and 2020 in the United States alone.
Coal-fired power plants release large quantities of particles as aerosols into the atmosphere. These particles, known as "particulate matter" (PM2.5), are extremely small and can be inhaled, posing a serious risk to human health. The toxic substances released from coal power plants include coal micro-particles, nanoparticles, mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals.
Coal power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash annually, with more than half of that waste ending up in ponds, lakes, landfills, and other sites. Over time, this ash can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies. Additionally, coal mining can lead to acid rock drainage, the obliteration of mountain streams and valleys, and energy-water collisions when coal plants overuse local water supplies.
There are several methods to reduce pollution from coal power. This includes the use of pollution control technologies such as emissions scrubbers, which remove impurities from coal or reduce mercury emissions. Carbon capture is another method that separates and stores carbon dioxide underground. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner sources of electricity, such as solar and renewable energy technologies, is crucial for reducing coal's worst impacts on the environment and human health.
