MIT Press MA | ISBN:026201789X | File Type: PDF, 248 pages | File size: 51.Mb | Aug. 17th, 2012
Environmental Science: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health We will not find exposure to burning coal listed as the cause of death on a single death certificate but tens of thousands of deaths from asthma chronic obstructive pmonary disease lung cancer heart attacks strokes and other illnesses are clearly linked to coal derived pollution As politicians and advertising campaigns extol the virtues of clean coal the dirty secret is that coal kills In The Silent Epidemic Alan Lockwood a physician describes and documents the adverse health effects of burning coal Lockwood s comprehensive treatment examines every aspect of coal from its complex chemical makeup to s of mining transporting burning and disposal each of which generates significant health concerns He describes coal pollution s effects on the respiratory cardiovascar and nervous systems and how these problems will only get worse explains the impact of global warming on coal related health problems and discusses possible policy approaches to combat coal pollution Coal fueled the industrial revolution and has become a major source of energy in virtually every country In the United States almost half of the energy used to generate electricity comes from burning coal Relatively few people are aware of the health threats posed by coal derived pollutants and those who are aware lack the political clout of the coal industry Lockwood s straightforward description of coal as a health hazard is especially timely given the barrage of marketing efforts to promote coal as part of energy independence His message is clear and urgent Coal fired plants make people sick and die particarly children and those with chronic illnesses and they cost society huge amounts of money desperately needed for other purposes
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