How Does Soot Affect The Coal Industry

We all know that fossil fuels and harsh burning of chemicals are bad for our environment. Through the cause of global warming and the depletement of the atmosphere it is apparent. From the start of coal burning all the way through nuclear

Clean coal technology usually addresses atmospheric problems resulting from burning coal. Historically, the primary focus was on sulfur dioxide and particulates, since it is the most important gas in the causation of acid rain. More recent focus has been on carbon dioxide (due to its impact on global warming) as well as other pollutants. Concerns exist regarding the economic viability of these technologies and the timeframe of delivery, potentially high hidden economic costs in terms of social and environmental damage, and the costs and viability of disposing of removed carbon and other toxic matter. More, the byproducts of coal power production range from fly ash sludge ponds full of mercury, arsenic, and sulfur in unlined ponds that can leak into the water supply.

Coal ash also contains selenium which is already needed in our body, but excess amounts can lead to impaired vision, paralysis, and even death. The ash contains a lot of lead, exposure to lead can cause numerous issues in your brain affecting your nervous system and can cause brain swelling. Arsenic which is found in the ash can be harmful, if ingested it can lead to nervous system damage and cardiovascular issues. If arsenic that is found in the ash is absorbed through the skin can cause skin cancer. Coal ash contain boron also can cause damage to the intestines and even death. The EPA is responsible for protecting the environment from these types of spills, but in the case of properly disposing the ash the EPA ruled that coal ash was classified as a non-hazardous material leaving it up to the companies to dispose of it as they want

Things like mining too far into a wall that connects to an older mine, thus increasing the danger of a collapse, is common. Other practices include shoddy dams that contain the slurry, a mixture of water and fine particles of coal, which do not always meet structural regulations that can and have broken and flood nearby communities (Light and Light, 2006). There are other environmental issues that are associated with coal mining. Acid mine drainage is the result of sulfide minerals being exposed to oxygen. This produces sulfuric acid and can dissolve heavy metals from the waste rock, making it bioavailable. Without proper treatment, this will poison the water systems near that mine and will seep into the streams, creeks, and even ground and well water. The water turns orange and is impossible for anything to live off of the water or in it (Kirsch, 2014). Another issue of coal mining is airborne coal dust, which can result in Black Lung disease. This is caused by inhaling too much coal dust and is common in miners, but with surface mining becoming more prevalent, more coal dust is being released into the air and drifting down to the communities. More children and elderly people are having respiratory problems that many believe are because of

The article, “Coal and the Environment”, provides the readers will and understanding of how coal works and also how it is dangerous to our environment. Coal on its own is not dangerous to the environment but once the coal is burned, then pollutants are released into the air causing for less clean air. The government has taken a stand on the industries polluting the air we breathe in everyday with the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. These two acts put restrictions on industries that allow for safer and cleaner air.

What is Pollution? Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can be in forms of chemical substances, such as heat noise or light. What are pollutants? A pollutant is a substance that pollutes something, especially water or the atmosphere. How is coal related to pollution? Coal is related to pollution in two ways . . . the first one is by CO2 emissions that absorb ultraviolet rays from the sun which causes temperatures to rise, the second one is causing pollution because when it’s being mined it’s destroying public land and mountains. The CO2 emissions are caused by the chemicals in the coal. Coal is made up of mostly Carbon but also has many traces of Sulfur, Nitrogen, Hydrogen,

The Coal Ash Rule restricts when new impoundments can be placed and used. For example, if there is a wetland and there are animals that are already endangered, then you aren't allowed to place a coal generated power plant there. Coal ash pollution causes damage to our nervous system and creates cardiovascular issues. Also, coal ash can trigger/worsen urinary tract, lung, and skin cancer. On December 22nd, 2008, the biggest toxic waste spill in U.S. history happened in Kingston, Tennessee. The Kingston Fossil Plant was a coal ash dam that burst and leaked 1,100,000,000 toxic waste across 300 acres. 40 nearby homes were damaged or destroyed and rivers were polluted. To clean up all of the damages and rivers cost three million dollars. After this

Emissions from coal fired power plants contribute to global warming, ozone smog, acid rain, regional haze, and perhaps most consequential of all from a public health standpoint, fine particle pollution.

Along with the greenhouse effect, burning fossil fuels also creates human health problems. The chemicals and gasses released instantly cause damaged cells, stress, and illness in respiratory systems. Some future health effects include shortened life span, diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and cancer, and aging and loss of capacity in lungs.3 These are all serious health problems notably found in North Americans. Health-harming pollution can be prevented and stopped if people become informed about the causes and effects of it.

With that being said here are some environmental impacts of coal you may not know about. The air pollutants cause acid rain, smog ,respiratory illnesses, cancers and toxins in the environment. Coal miners can get respiratory illnesses from the coal dust while mining. If an abandoned coal mine catches fire it puts tons of mercury into the atmosphere, this happens every year and is responsible for three percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally. The second largest contributor to

Air pollution is a type of pollution that occurs when harmful substances, including particulates and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. There is a lot of chemicals that get released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned; the effects that these chemicals have on our bodies when inhaled can be very detrimental to our health and well being. A few things that can occur when we breathe in polluted air are; firstly, you are put at a higher risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Second, exposure to higher levels of particle pollution have been shown to correspond to higher risks of heart complications. Third, immune system, endocrine, and reproductive system damage; which can lead to future health complications. Four, when living in an area with lots of air pollution you are being put at higher risks for cancer. The pollutants in the air mostly contain of carcinogens; “any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.” Five, contact with the air pollution can lead to neurobehavioral problems and premature death. These are a few of the main effects that air pollution has on humans.

The smoke is the product of the burning of impurities, coal, coke, or other fuels. When burning these fuels in massive amounts, with neighboring factories also burning them, the impact on air quality is extreme. To many, black lung disease was a disease restricted solely to coal miners, but when coal is burned, many of the constituents of the coal become airborne to easily infect anyone's lungs. A study done in the nineteenth century indicated that cigarette smokers in a rural area close to Liverpool had a "nine times greater death rate from lung cancer than non-smokers, whereas in Liverpool, the ratio approached 1:1."1 The study also indicated a continually observed pattern of decreased health in urban areas. The factories were producing goods that the people wanted to buy, but it was also killing them. In December of 1952 in London, a lethal smog "was responsible for 4000 human deaths". 2 Plant life that surrounded the area was also affected. When smog settles, it blackens the leaves of the plants, preventing them from getting the sunlight necessary for growth. Another modern product of industry that is a large contribution to air pollution is the automobile. In earlier times, gasoline may have contained lead, and when the gasoline burns to propel the car, the lead is ejected into the air. Although the intention was aimed in the right direction, "the unintended effects are pervasive and often highly

“In 2015, the United States generated about 4 trillion kilowatthours of electricity.1 About 67% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum)” (What). This shocked me to hear that statistic. I was aware that the United States does a lot of fossil fuel burning; however, I did not know that we are so reliant on it. The website later said that coal alone is responsible for 33% of the electricity generated in the United States. Coal has always intrigued me since I was young and liked trains, in particular, coal powered trains. So I thought I would look into some statistics and information about the burning of coal. Sourcewatch.org said that “Coal combustion releases nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health” (Air). There are plenty of chemicals out there that I have never heard of, however, the three listed in the lines above, I have heard before. Although, I do not know much about any of them; so I will look them up.

Coal is natural resource commonly used by many nations to support their power needs. Here are a few examples of how much people rely on coal: 93% of South Africa’s energy comes from coal, 81-83% of Poland and China’s energy comes from coal, and 38-39% of energy is from coal in the UK and USA (Coal Statistics). Coal is a major contributor to energy across the world, but it is also a major contributor to pollution due to the amounts of sulfur released into the air. Acid rain was caused by the high large quantities of sulfur in the air. This caused damage to many waterways and forests.

Coal has been driving the world’s energy needs since the Roman Empire, however it is not without repercussions. Coal is a dirty energy source that is dangerous to acquire and environmentally devastating when used. It has caused numerous health issues in miners, contaminated local water supplies, and is responsible for the depletion of the ozone. Although coal is a widely used energy source, the world should invest in finding alternative and more efficient energy sources.