THE IMPACTS OF COAL ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Coal use is known or suspected to cause a range of environmental and public health problems. These include respiratory and heart problems caused by particulates and acid gases released by coal combustion as well as emerging public health issues related to global warming that is attributed to coal burning. Coal scientists are limited in what they can contribute to addressing these indirect health issues. In contrast, coal scientists can make significant contributions to addressing some of the more direct health issues attributed to coal and coal use. Much attention has been focused on the deleterious impacts of the trace elements in coal especially arsenic, fluorine, mercury, selenium, and lead. These elements have indeed caused health problems primarily when present in exceptionally high concentrations and generally when the coal is used in a residential environment. There is even some evidence that iodine from residential combustion of coal has helped prevent iodine deficiency disorders in China. Minerals in coal, especially the sulfides, not only host many of the potentially harmful elements but can directly impact the health of coal miners. Inhalation of fine-grained pyrite particles has been linked to Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). This severe respiratory problem may be mitigated by inhalation of carbonate-bearing dust from the coal. Inhalation of quartz grains mobilized from coal could lead to silicosis in coal miners and ultra fine-grained quartz may be a causative factor in the extraordinarily high incidence of lung cancer in Yunnan Province, China. Organic compounds leached from low-rank coals by ground water may be a key factor in causing kidney and related diseases in the Balkans, in the U.S. and elsewhere. Emissions of trace elements and gases from widespread uncontrolled coal fires may be impacting the health coal miners and nearby villagers. Comprehensive characterization of coal could provide information that may be used to minimize or even prevent these and other public health problems.