A new study published in the journal Science reveals that air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants pose a greater risk to human health than previously thought, with the likelihood of contributing to premature deaths more than double those from other sources. Researchers mapped the way U.S. coal power plant emissions traveled through the atmosphere and linked these emissions with the death records of Americans over 65 years old on Medicare. The results showed nearly half a million premature deaths of elderly Americans from 1999 to 2020 were attributed to air pollutants released from coal power plants.
While the number of deaths associated with coal air pollution is staggering, the study also highlights a positive trend. Annual deaths linked to U.S. coal power plants have significantly decreased since the mid-2000s due to federal regulations mandating the installation of emissions scrubbers and the closure of many coal plants. In 1999, the deaths attributed to coal air pollution were estimated at 55,000, which plummeted to 1,600 by 2020.
As the U.S. shifts away from coal in favor of natural gas and renewable energy for electricity generation, it’s key for policymakers globally to comprehend these findings, especially since global coal use is projected to rise in the coming years.
The study underscores the severe health risks associated with coal air pollution. Tiny airborne particles known as PM2.5 have been linked to various diseases, including lung and heart disease, cancer, and others. PM2.5, which comes from various sources such as vehicle emissions, wood fires, and power plants, is mentioned to be particularly threatening due to its ability to be inhaled deep into the lungs.
By studying sulfur dioxide emissions from major U.S. coal power plants since 1999, researchers were able to track how these emissions combined with wind to form coal PM2.5 and calculated their impact on human health using Medicare records of nearly 70 million people. The statistics revealed that PM2.5 from coal is twice as harmful as from other sources. Moreover, the number of deaths associated with individual coal power plants depends on their emissions, wind direction, and population density. The impact of these emissions is exacerbated by the strategic placement of coal power plants upwind of major population centers.
The installation of scrubbers and pollution-control devices has significantly reduced pollution from coal-fired power plants, resulting in a sharp decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions. As a cleaner alternative, natural gas is gradually replacing coal, leading to further reductions in air pollution. However, there remains a considerable risk to human health and the climate due to the anticipated increase in global coal use.
This study, funded by the Health Effects Institute, the National Institute of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency, highlights the importance of enforcing emissions controls and transitioning to renewable energy to minimize the negative impacts of coal. It is crucial for policymakers to consider these findings when making decisions about the future of energy production at a global scale.
