Beyond black lung: scientific evidence of health effects from coal use in electricity generation.
While access to electricity affects health positively, combustion of coal in power plants causes well-documented adverse health effects. We review respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, and neurologic health outcomes associated with exposure to coal-fired power plant emissions. We also discuss population-level health effects of coal combustion and its role in climate change. Our review of scientific studies suggests that those we present here can be used to inform energy policy.
University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 835 S. Wolcott, Suite E-144, MC 684, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA.
Susan
S
Buchanan
University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 835 S. Wolcott, Suite E-144, MC 684, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA.
Erica
E
Burt
University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 835 S. Wolcott, Suite E-144, MC 684, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA.
Peter
P
Orris
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D057231:Climate Change; D003031:Coal / Q000633:toxicity*; D004560:Electricity; D006801:Humans; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011210:Power Plants; D011640:Public Policy
D000393:Air Pollutants; D003031:Coal; D052638:Particulate Matter