A recent study conducted by the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Group, in collaboration with ITP Aero, has uncovered the alarming impact of soot pollution from coal-fired power plants on public health in the United States. The findings, published in the journal Science, highlight the toll of coal plant soot on American lives, leading to at least 460,000 deaths over the past two decades, with 25% of those occurring among Medicare recipients before 2009.
The study, which delves into the first-of-its-kind analysis, emphasizes that coal plant soot pollution is more hazardous than soot from other sources. Disturbingly, only Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio surpassed the 25,000 deaths in Illinois linked to coal plant pollution during the period under examination.
However, amidst these grim statistics, the study’s interactive map offers a glimmer of hope. Deaths attributed to coal plant soot have markedly declined in recent years, reflecting the positive impact of stricter federal clean air regulations, increased competition from cost-effective gas-fired power plants, and legal pressures from environmental groups. This success story is underscored by the fact that estimated deaths have dropped from over 40,000 annually two decades ago to approximately 1,600 per year.
Soot, or particulate matter (PM2.5), is a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fossil fuel power plants, contributing to adverse health effects such as respiratory issues, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death. President Joe Biden’s administration is currently working to tighten national limits on soot pollution, potentially leading to new regulations on power plants and other industrial sources.
The Edison Electric Institute, the chief trade group for investor-owned utilities, acknowledges the industry’s efforts in reducing air pollutants and expresses expectations for further emissions reductions as the sector transitions to clean energy.
The study’s interactive map reveals the far-reaching impact of coal plant soot pollution, transcending state boundaries. Illinois coal plants, for instance, were found responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin and Iowa than their counterparts in those states. Similarly, several Wisconsin coal plants contributed to more deaths in Illinois than in Wisconsin.
Lead author Lucas Henneman, a professor of environmental engineering at George Mason University, emphasizes that pollution knows no state boundaries, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental issues.
The study’s comprehensive analysis relies on emissions data reported to the EPA and a massive Medicare enrollee database, utilizing computer models to trace the contributions of individual coal plants to soot-related deaths across every state.
As the nation moves away from coal-dependent electricity generation, with Illinois closing all but two coal plants by the end of the decade, the study underscores the progress made while urging continued EPA involvement to safeguard public health. Despite significant strides, challenges persist, emphasizing the ongoing need for environmental regulations to protect communities from the adverse effects of pollution.