Health impacts of coal ash
Resources
Scientific studies documenting coal ash toxicity
Coal ash report from the Physicians for Social Responsibility
EPA: Coal Combustion Residues (CCR) - Surface Impoundments with High Hazard Potential Ratings
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment of Coal Combustion Wastes
Coal ash is full of toxic heavy metals that when blown through the air or leached into drinking water can be harmful to health. Here are some of the worst.
Human Health Effects of Coal Ash Pollutants
Source: Earthjustice testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, June 2008
| Aluminum | Lung Disease, developmental problems |
| Antimony | Eye irritation, heart damage, lung problems |
| Arsenic | Multiple types of cancer, darkening of skin, hand warts |
| Barium | Gastrointentinal problems, muscle weakness, heart problems |
| Beryllium | Lung cancer, pneumonia, respiratory problems |
| Boron | Reproductive problems, gastrointestinal illness |
| Cadmium | Lung disease, kidney disease, cancer |
| Chromium | Cancer, ulcers and other stomach problems |
| Chlorine | Respiratory distress |
| Cobalt | Lung/heart/liver/kidney problems, dermatitis |
| Lead | Decreases in IQ, nervous system, developmental and behavioral problems |
| Manganese | Nervous system, muscle problems, mental problems |
| Mercury | Cognitive deficits, developmental delays, behavioral problems |
| Molybdenum | Mineral imbalance, anemia, developmental problems |
| Nickel | Cancer, lung problems, allergic reactions |
| Selenium | Birth defects, impaired bone growth in children |
| Thallium | Birth defects, nervous system/reproductive problems |
| Vanadium | Birth defects, lung/throat/eye problems |
| Zinc | Gastrointestinal effects, reproductive problems |