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The Hidden Link Between Coal and Health: Did You Know? How Smoke From Coal Power Plants Affects You?
Coal-fired power plants around the world play an important role in electricity production, but they also pose significant health risks. Coal plants emit about 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, according to the International Energy Agency, which accounts for a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Especially in China, where coal accounts for more than half of electricity production, one cannot help but reflect on the cost of this development.
How coal-fired power plants operate
The basic operation of a coal-fired power plant involves converting chemical energy into electrical energy. The coal is crushed and mixed with air to burn, and the heat generated is used to convert water into steam, which in turn drives turbines to generate electricity.
Such a process is not only highly efficient, but also comes with significant environmental pollution and health risks.
Coal Transportation and Handling
Coal is transported in a variety of ways, usually by truck, train, barge, etc. Large coal transport trains can be up to two kilometers long and carry more than 100,000 tons. This huge transportation demand makes the environmental impact of the coal-fired power industry even more far-reaching.
Scientific research shows that emissions from coal-fired power plants pose a direct threat to human health, especially the tiny PM2.5 particles.
Health Risks
Emissions from coal-fired power plants can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory illness, heart disease and cancer. According to the report, fine particulate matter from coal-fired power has caused at least 460,000 premature deaths in the United States alone.
Once these tiny pollutants enter the human body, they can cause serious health consequences and even affect the health of the next generation.
Water pollution and environmental impact
Coal-fired power plants may also pose a threat to surrounding water sources. Black sewage and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury can infiltrate groundwater and contaminate it for decades.
Policies and future trends
Faced with severe environmental challenges, countries around the world have begun to gradually implement policies to restrict coal-fired power. The UN Secretary-General called on OECD countries to phase out coal-fired power by 2030, and other countries to do so by 2040 at the latest.
Policy change is not only needed to respond to the environmental crisis, but also an urgent need to improve public health.
Conclusion
As investment in renewable energy increases, the future of the coal power business is uncertain. In seeking a balance between energy security and environmental sustainability, are we ready to embrace change to protect our health?
