feature Environmental impacts of coal power: air pollution
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| | | | | | Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical coal plant generates: - 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming--as much carbon dioxide as cutting down 161 million trees.
- 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs.
- 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility.
- 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.
- 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease.
- 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.
- 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
- 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
- 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.
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| | Tell me more about: AIR POLLUTION WASTES GENERATED FUEL SUPPLY WATER USE REFERENCES
Related links: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF COAL POWER ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF WIND POWER LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW COAL WORKS LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY ALTERNATIVES LEARN MORE ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTO AIR IMPACTS
Practical Solutions: SWITCHING TO CLEAN ENERGY SWITCHING TO CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
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| | | | | © Union of Concerned Scientists
Page Last Revised: 08/18/05 |
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