Greta Jimenez
Coal is an abundant and inexpensive fuel source, but it is also a major contributor to environmental contamination and human health hazards. 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 emissions have been linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and even premature death. In addition to air pollution, coal mining can also impact water sources, with acid rock drainage and the destruction of mountain streams and valleys. Climate change is coal's most serious long-term global impact, as carbon dioxide emissions from coal contribute to global warming and its devastating consequences. While regulations and the transition to cleaner energy sources have helped reduce coal-related deaths, the overwhelming majority of scientists agree that there can be no more coal mines if we are to address climate change effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sulfur dioxide | Contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses |
| Nitrogen oxides | Contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses |
| Particulates | Linked with chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, cardiovascular effects like heart attacks, and premature death |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | The primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels |
| Mercury and other heavy metals | Linked to neurological and developmental damage |
| Fly ash and bottom ash | Residues created when power plants burn coal |
| Carbon monoxide | Causes headaches and places additional stress on people with heart disease |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOC) | Form ozone |
| Arsenic | Causes cancer |
| Lead | N/A |
| Cadmium | N/A |
| Ozone | N/A |
| Black carbon | N/A |
| Methane (CH4) | 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 100-year period |
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What You'll Learn
Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates
The burning of coal results in several principal emissions, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, and particulates. These emissions contribute to a range of environmental and health issues.
Sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Studies have shown that a decrease in SOx emissions is associated with a lower incidence of CVD and IHD, with the effects being more pronounced in males. Coal-fired power plants are the primary source of SO2 emissions, and the development of emission control systems, such as flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, aims to reduce these emissions. Additionally, the use of low-sulfur coal, such as sub-bituminous coal, can help reduce SO2 emissions.
Nitrogen oxides are another significant pollutant released from burning coal. These emissions contribute to smog formation and respiratory illnesses. Nitrogen oxides, along with sulfur dioxide, are targeted by equipment designed to reduce particulate matter and mercury emissions from certain types of coal.
Particulates released from coal combustion contribute to smog, haze, respiratory illnesses, and lung disease. Power plants employ electrostatic precipitators or baghouses to remove particulates and heavy metals from the smoke.
The release of these pollutants into the atmosphere has led to the development of laws and technologies aimed at reducing emissions and mitigating their environmental and health impacts. The Clean Air Act and similar legislation mandate the reduction of pollutants discharged into the air and water by industries, including the coal sector.
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Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
Coal is a fossil fuel and a major source of energy. However, burning coal releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary greenhouse gas. In 2022, coal-fired power plants contributed about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and about 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector.
CO2 is a heat-trapping gas that, when released into the atmosphere, acts like a blanket, warming the Earth's surface. This warming effect is known as global warming or climate change, and it has severe environmental and public health impacts. The consequences of global warming include rising temperatures, accelerating sea level rise, drought, heavy rainfall, intensified storms, extreme weather, species loss, and ecological disruption. The severity of these impacts is directly tied to the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere, and coal plants are a significant contributor to these emissions.
In addition to CO2, coal-fired power plants emit other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4). Methane is released during coal mining activities and is even more potent than CO2 at trapping heat over both a 100-year and 20-year period. While carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) are emerging as a potential solution to capture CO2 emissions, they are expensive and have not yet been proven at scale to address climate change.
The release of greenhouse gases from burning coal has far-reaching consequences. It contributes to climate change, which is already impacting the planet. The health impacts of coal-fired power plants are also significant, with air pollution linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, respiratory diseases, and premature death.
As a result, there is a growing transition away from coal towards cleaner sources of electricity. While this transition is necessary to mitigate the worst impacts of coal, it is important to also implement measures to protect the health and livelihoods of communities that depend on coal mines and plants.
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Mercury and other heavy metals
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is released into the atmosphere when coal is burned. It is a neurotoxin that can cause damage to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. All forms of mercury can be harmful, but methylmercury is the most concerning as it can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier in pregnant women, potentially damaging brain function and development in fetuses and children. Methylmercury also readily accumulates in the bodies of animals and humans, entering the food chain through aquatic organisms. Cases of mercury poisoning have been documented in people who consume contaminated fish over prolonged periods, with pregnant women and subsistence fishermen being particularly vulnerable.
Coal plants are responsible for a significant proportion of mercury emissions, with estimates ranging from 42% to 91% of mercury emissions in the United States. The amount of mercury released by coal-burning power plants varies, with some clusters of lignite-burning power plants emitting over 100 kilograms of mercury per year. Mercury is also released during mining activities, with coal sludge containing heavy metals that can leach into the environment or contaminate areas if the impoundments break open.
In addition to mercury, other heavy metals are released from burning coal, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and selenium. These heavy metals are considered toxic and can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. The release of these heavy metals contributes to air and water pollution, with rain falling on coal and ash piles, leaching out heavy metal compounds into groundwater, lakes, and streams, further contaminating drinking water sources.
While regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act aim to reduce pollutants, the success of these measures depends on effective enforcement and the implementation of pollution control technologies. Relatively inexpensive technologies, such as activated carbon injection, can help reduce mercury and heavy metal emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The impact of mercury and heavy metal pollution from coal combustion is significant, contributing to environmental contamination, adverse health effects, and ecological disruption. Reducing these emissions through regulatory measures and technological advancements is crucial to mitigate their harmful effects on human health and the environment.
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Water pollution
Coal is an abundant and inexpensive fuel source, but its production and use have significant environmental impacts. Water pollution is one of the most severe consequences, affecting rivers, lakes, and aquifers. This occurs through several processes, including acid mine drainage, coal sludge spills, and the discharge of toxic metals from coal-fired power plants.
Acid mine drainage is a significant issue in coal mining, especially in Appalachia, where mountaintop removal mining has flattened entire mountains. This process exposes iron sulfide to air and water, creating highly acidic runoff that contaminates nearby water sources. The resulting water pollution has harmed aquatic life and caused sensitive species to vanish.
Coal sludge, or slurry, is the liquid waste generated when washing coal. It often contains toxins and heavy metals, and improper disposal can lead to spills or leaks that endanger underground and surface waters. In 2009, an analysis of coal waste ponds in North Carolina revealed groundwater contamination with toxic pollutants, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead, at levels far exceeding state standards.
Coal-fired power plants are responsible for discharging millions of tons of toxic metals into waterways each year. These metals, including selenium, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, thallium, and lead, pollute drinking water sources and harm aquatic life. Mercury, in particular, is a significant concern, with coal plants contributing about 41-42% of industrial releases in the United States. When deposited in water, mercury can be converted into methylmercury by microorganisms, accumulating in fish and causing reproductive, growth, and behavioural issues, as well as potential death.
Additionally, coal-fired power plants contribute to thermal pollution, where wastewater discharged back into water sources is at a higher temperature, impacting fish fertility and heart rates. While "wet-recirculating" plants can mitigate this issue by reusing water, they consume more water per year due to losses during the cooling process.
Regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act aim to reduce these pollutants, and the development of technologies to remove impurities from coal or improve energy efficiency has helped decrease emissions. However, water pollution from coal remains a critical issue, highlighting the need for continued efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.
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Human health impacts
Burning coal releases a range of pollutants that have severe impacts on human health. These pollutants are accumulated in the air and water, leading to severe environmental and health consequences.
Coal-fired power plants emit harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (soot), carbon dioxide, mercury, and other heavy metals. These emissions contribute to respiratory illnesses, smog, haze, lung disease, and neurological and developmental damage. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides also contribute to acid rain, which has further environmental and health impacts.
Particulate matter, or soot, is of particular concern as it is linked to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks, and even premature death. The fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing inflammation and damage to the lungs.
Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is another significant pollutant released from coal plants, contributing to about 42% of US mercury emissions. Mercury can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, leading to neurological problems.
Coal power plants also emit other toxic heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which have severe health impacts. Arsenic, for example, causes cancer in one out of 100 people who consume water with high enough concentrations of the metal.
In addition to these direct emissions, coal mining and combustion also release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. While carbon capture and storage technologies are being developed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, they do not address other harmful pollutants produced by coal.
The health impacts of coal pollution have been underestimated, and it is now recognized that coal power plants have contributed to a significant number of deaths. However, the decline in mortality rates over time highlights the positive impact of emissions reduction efforts and air pollution regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning coal releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, including:
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Particulates
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Mercury and other heavy metals
Coal pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including:
- Asthma and other breathing difficulties
- Heart problems
- Cancer
- Neurological disorders
- Lung disease
- Brain damage
- Premature death
Coal is a fossil fuel that is predominantly composed of carbon. When coal is burned, it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which is a heat-trapping gas and the primary driver of global warming. Consequences of global warming include:
- Rising temperatures
- Sea level rise
- Drought
- Extreme weather
- Species loss
