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Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health
Coal-fired power plants threaten the environment and your health.

Burning coal releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants into our environment, often with serious health consequences. In addition to the staggering amounts of greenhouse gases and tons of mercury released into the air, disposal methods for the waste left at the bottom of the stacks presents a serious threat to ground and surface waters -- and the people who rely on these sources for safe drinking water. To protect our families and communities from the dangers of burning goal, we must move away from dirty coal-based energy. These NRDC publications describe the health hazards of our continued reliance on coal.

Dirty Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health: Moving Beyond Coal-Based Energy
October 2007
Coal-fired power plants are among the most polluting industrial facilities releasing toxins into the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Dangerous Disposals: Keeping Coal Combustion Waste Out of Our Water Supply
October 2007
Each year, America's coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities produce approximately 130 million tons of coal combustion waste containing pollutants like arsenic, mercury, lead and other toxic substances.

Coal Combustion Waste in Pennsylvania
October 2007
Pennsylvania produces millions of tons of coal combustion waste every year. This paper discusses one Pennsylvania site with evidence of water contamination from coal combustion waste: the Hatfield's Ferry Power Station site in Monongahela Township (Greene County).

Related NRDC Pages
Dirty Coal vs. Clean Energy

last revised 10.11.07