Researchers from George Mason University in Virginia have found that emissions from coal-fired power plants pose a greater danger to life than comparable pollution from other sources. The discovery appears in Science, a leading scientific journal.
The focus is on PM2.5, tiny particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These particles form when coal is burned to generate electricity in power plants and can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and bloodstream.
A detailed analysis of emissions data from 480 coal-fired facilities in the United States revealed that 460,000 lives were lost between 1999 and 2020 due to emissions from these plants. That figure accounts for roughly one in four deaths linked to air pollution during that period.
Lucas Henneman, the study’s lead author, notes that PM2.5 from coal has been treated as a standard air pollutant, yet its threat to health is significantly greater than previously understood. The researchers emphasize that the shape and chemical makeup of these particles contribute to their ability to trigger heart and lung disease, strokes, and other serious conditions.
The team also quantified mortality linked to specific facilities, ranking coal-fired stations by their contribution to premature deaths. The results showed that ten plants each caused at least five thousand fatalities, underscoring how a relatively small number of sites can drive a large share of risk.
By 2020, the severity of the burden carried by these plants had fallen dramatically, with a roughly 95% reduction in deaths associated with coal plant smoke as many facilities retired or upgraded to cleaner technology. This decline illustrates the impact of policy shifts, stricter emission controls, and transitions toward cleaner energy sources in North American power generation.
Previous scientific work has established PM2.5 as one of the most toxic components of ambient air pollution. The current findings reinforce the urgent need for continued vigilance in monitoring coal-related emissions and for accelerating the transition toward lower-pollution energy options to protect public health across the United States and Canada. Researchers advocate maintaining strong air quality standards and investing in cleaner energy infrastructure to further reduce deadly exposure and related health burdens. (Source: Science)