“Air Pollution From Coal Is Much More Harmful Than We Thought,” New Study Reveals
“Air Pollution From Coal Is Much More Harmful Than We Thought,” New Study Reveals – Mother Jones Mother Jones
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Coal-Fired Power Plants and Premature Deaths in the US
Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via ZUMA Wir
This story was originally published by The Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
Introduction
Coal-fired power plants have been found to be responsible for at least 460,000 premature deaths in the United States over the past two decades, which is twice the number previously estimated, according to new research. These power plants emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a toxic air pollutant that increases the risk of various life-threatening medical conditions.
Research Findings
The research team analyzed Medicare and emissions data from 1999 to 2020 and discovered that coal PM2.5 is twice as lethal as fine particle pollutants from other sources. Previous studies underestimated the dangers of coal plants by assuming that all PM2.5 sources posed the same risk. The study also revealed that most deaths occurred when environmental standards were weakest and PM2.5 levels from coal-fired power stations were highest.
Impact of Government Regulations
The research emphasizes that government regulations play a crucial role in saving lives. The study, published in Science, highlights that deaths from air pollution were highest during periods when environmental standards were less stringent. This underscores the importance of implementing cost-effective solutions such as emissions controls and renewable energy to improve air quality.
Regional Analysis
The coal plants associated with the highest number of deaths were located in industrialized states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, where power stations were historically built near densely populated areas. However, every region in the US had at least one coal plant linked to 600 deaths, with some plants associated with over 5,000 deaths during the study period.
Decline in Deaths
Between 1999 and 2007, approximately 85% of the total 460,000 coal plant-related deaths occurred, averaging over 43,000 deaths per year. However, the death toll significantly decreased as coal plants closed or installed sulfur filters to comply with new environmental regulations. By 2020, the number of deaths related to coal PM2.5 had dropped by 95% to 1,600 people.
Global Perspective
Although coal use has declined in the US, there are still over 200 coal-fired power plants, accounting for 20% of electricity generation in 2022. Countries like South Africa, China, India, and Poland heavily rely on coal-generated power, contributing to global air pollution and health risks.
Conclusion
The findings of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers and regulators as they balance the need for affordable energy with the significant environmental and health costs associated with coal-fired power plants. It underscores the urgency of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action and public health.
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