Coal Pollution Research Paper

Two main environmental concerns associated with the use of coal are pollution, caused by emissions of contaminants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury, which affects human and environmental health, and greenhouse gases that are emissions that contribute to global warming. Social problems include the social and health complications that arise from the effects of the use of coal and coal mining. The mining of coal occurs in many ways, but is almost always damaging to the environment. After the mines are finished with, the area should be restored by the mining companies, which often doesn't happen. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants includes, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and heavy

metals, which leads to smog, acid …show more content…
Underground mining allows coal companies to dig for coal deeper into the ground. The problem, however, is that huge amounts of rock and earth are brought up from the ground. These mining wastes can become toxic when they are exposed to water and air. Some examples of these toxins are arsenic, mercury and fluorine. The amount of dust produced in mining processes can be carried to nearby towns by wind. These dust particles can cause all sorts of health problems for people who are exposed to them. This can lead to dangerous side effects, such as smog, acid rain and toxins in the environment, as well as several respiratory and cardiovascular effects for humans. Besides having a serious impact on the environment, coal mining also has many social side effects. Working conditions in the mines are poor, the work is dangerous and there are significant health risks for both the miners and local residents. Local people are also often forced to …show more content…
Methane emissions from underground coal mining are often caught and used as fuel for the town and vehicle fuel and industrial fuel, however very rarely are all the emissions captured. Methane is less dominant in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide, but it is still 20 times more powerful as any greenhouse gas. Health hazards is also an effect. The inhalation of coal dust can cause black lung disease. Miners and people who live in nearby towns are most affected. Cardiopulmonary disease, hypertension and kidney disease are found to be higher than normal rates in the people who live near coal mines. This can be further shown by the Health and Social Harms of Coal Mining in Local Communities: Spotlight on the Hunter Region article, which states that there are excess deaths from lung cancer, chronic heart, kidney and respiratory disease related to people living near coal mines. The evidence for this is mostly from the United States, as there is more surface mining there. Other effects include high blood levels of heavy metals in children as well as higher rates of birth defects. NSW Health is investigating a cancer cluster in the Illawarra mining region in the state. Six children living in proximity to the mines are said to have developed either lymphoma or leukaemia in the past five years. This can lead to the displacement of communities. All of these effects forces people to move to other places as