'Coal Blooded': New Report Slams Coal Plants for Poisoning Communities

Coal plants in the U.S. are "killing low-income communities and communities of color," according to a new report, "Coal Blooded: Putting Profits Before People."

The report released November 15 from the NAACP and justice allies looks at 378 sulfur dioxide (SO2)- and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)-spewing coal-burning power plants across the U.S. It shows how these plants are disproportionately affecting communities of color and are "single-handedly responsible for a large proportion of toxic emissions that directly poison local communities in the United States." The report states that of the six million residents living near coal plants, whose toxic emissions have been linked to asthma attacks, lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, irregular heart conditions, and birth defects,  39% are people of color.