Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Archive
    • Podcast: NC Health Policy Forum
    • Upcoming Scientific Articles
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Advertisers
    • Subscribers
  • About Us
    • About the North Carolina Medical Journal
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • RSS
  • Other Publications
    • North Carolina Medical Journal

User menu

  • My alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
North Carolina Medical Journal
  • Other Publications
    • North Carolina Medical Journal
  • My alerts
  • Log in
North Carolina Medical Journal

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Archive
    • Podcast: NC Health Policy Forum
    • Upcoming Scientific Articles
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Advertisers
    • Subscribers
  • About Us
    • About the North Carolina Medical Journal
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • RSS
  • Follow ncmj on Twitter
  • Visit ncmj on Facebook
Research ArticleOriginal Articles

The Impact of Coal-Powered Electrical Plants and Coal Ash Impoundments on the Health of Residential Communities

Julia Kravchenko and H. Kim Lyerly
North Carolina Medical Journal September 2018, 79 (5) 289-300; DOI: https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.79.5.289
Julia Kravchenko
assistant professor, Environmental Health Scholars Program, Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: Julia.krauchanka@duke.edu
H. Kim Lyerly
director, Environmental Health Scholars Program; George Barth Geller Professor of Cancer Research; professor, Departments of Surgery, Immunology, and Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

References

  1. ↵
    1. U.S. Energy Information Administration
    Independent Statistics & Analysis: North Carolina State Profile and Energy Estimates, Profile Analysis. https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=NC. Updated August 17, 2017. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  2. ↵
    Southern Alliance for Clean Energy website. http://www.cleanenergy.org. Accessed on June 18, 2018.
  3. ↵
    1. Rowe CL,
    2. Hopkins WA,
    3. Congdon JD
    Ecotoxicological implications of aquatic disposal of coal combustion residues in the United States: a review. Environ Monit Assess. 2002;80(3):207-276.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  4. ↵
    1. Buchanan S,
    2. Burt E,
    3. Orris P
    Beyond black lung: scientific evidence of health effects from coal use in electricity generation. J Public Health Policy. 2014;35(3):266-277.
    OpenUrl
  5. ↵
    1. Linak WP,
    2. Yoo J-I,
    3. Wasson SJ, et al.
    Ultrafine ash aerosols from coal combustion: Characterization and health effects. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 2007;31(2):1929-1937.
    OpenUrl
  6. ↵
    1. Wilson WE,
    2. Suh HH
    Fine particles and coarse particles: concentration relationships relevant to epidemiologic studies. J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 1997;47(12):1238-1249.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  7. ↵
    1. Yao Z,
    2. Ji X,
    3. Sarker P, et al.
    A comprehensive review on the applications of coal fly ash. Earth-Science Reviews. 2015;141:105-121.
    OpenUrl
  8. ↵
    1. US Environmental Protection Agency
    Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (Final Report, Dec 2009). EPA website. https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=216546. Published December 2009. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  9. ↵
    1. Yudovich YE,
    2. Ketris MP
    Arsenic in coal: a review. International Journal of Coal Geology. 2005;61(3):141-196.
    OpenUrlCrossRefGeoRefWeb of Science
  10. ↵
    1. Pope CA,
    2. Burnett RT,
    3. Thurston GD, et al.
    Cardiovascular mortality and long-term exposure to particulate air pollution epidemiological evidence of general pathophysiological pathways of disease. Circulation. 2004;109(1):71-77.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  11. ↵
    1. Levy JI,
    2. Baxter LK,
    3. Schwartz J
    Uncertainty and variability in health-related damages from coal-fired power plants in the United States. Risk Anal. 2009;29(7):1000-1014.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  12. ↵
    1. US Environmental Protection Agency
    Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Final Clean Air Interstate Rule. Washington, DC: Office of Air and Radiation Report; 2005. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/finaltech08.pdf. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  13. ↵
    1. Silva LF,
    2. da Boit KM
    Nanominerals and nanoparticles in feed coal and bottom ash: implications for human health effects. Environ Monit Assess. 2011;174(1-4):187-197.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  14. ↵
    1. US Environmental Protection Agency
    Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides (Health Criteria). EPA website. https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-sulfur-oxides-health-criteria. Published September 2008. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  15. ↵
    1. US Environmental Protection Agency
    Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen (Health Criteria). EPA website. https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-nitrogen-dioxide-health-criteria. Published July 2008. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  16. ↵
    1. Chauhan AJ,
    2. Inskip HM,
    3. Linaker CH, et al.
    Personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the severity of virus-induced asthma in children. Lancet. 2003;361(9373):1939-1944.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  17. ↵
    1. Suarez AE,
    2. Ondov JM
    Ambient aerosol concentrations of elements resolved by size and by source: contributions of some cytokine-active metals from coal-and oil-fired power plants. Energy & Fuels. 2002;16(3):562-568.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  18. ↵
    2002-4 NC Sess Laws 72-81 (2002).
  19. ↵
    1. Kravchenko J,
    2. Akushevich I,
    3. Abernethy AP,
    4. Holman S,
    5. Ross WG Jr.,
    6. Lyerly HK
    Long-term dynamics of death rates of emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia and improving air quality. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014;9:613-627.
    OpenUrl
  20. ↵
    1. Kravchenko J
    Long-term dynamics of respiratory, cardio- and cerebrovascular death rates among older adults and improving air quality. Presentation at: The Gerontological Society of America's 68th Annual Scientific Meeting; June, 2015; Orlando, FL.
  21. ↵
    1. Li YR,
    2. Gibson JM
    Health and air quality benefits of policies to reduce coal-fired power plant emissions: a case study in North Carolina. Environ Sci Technol. 2014;48(17):10019-10027.
    OpenUrl
  22. ↵
    1. US Environmental Protection Agency
    The benefits and costs of the Clean Air Act 1990 to 2010: EPA report to Congress. Washington, DC: EPA; 2010. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/fullrept.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2018.
  23. ↵
    Southeast Coal Ash. Map of coal ash storage sites. http://www.southeastcoalash.org; Table of Power plants. http://www.southeastcoalash.org/table-of-power-plants/; Southeast Coal Ash website. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  24. ↵
    1. Zierold KM,
    2. Sears CG
    : Community views about the health and exposure of children living near a coal ash storage site. J Community Health. 2015;40(2):357-363.
    OpenUrl
  25. ↵
    1. LeGalley E,
    2. Krekeler MP
    A mineralogical and geochemical investigation of street sediment near a coal-fired power plant in Hamilton, Ohio: an example of complex pollution and cause for community health concerns. Environ Pullut. 2013;176:26-35.
    OpenUrl
    1. Žibret G,
    2. Van Tonder D,
    3. Žibret L
    Metal content in street dust as a reflection of atmospheric dust emissions from coal power plants, metal smelters, and traffic. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013;20(7):4455-4468.
    OpenUrl
  26. ↵
    1. Swaine DJ
    Why trace elements are important. Fuel Processing Technology. 2000;65:21-33.
    OpenUrl
  27. ↵
    1. Izquierdo M,
    2. Querol X
    Leaching behaviour of elements from coal combustion fly ash: an overview. International Journal of Coal Geology. 2012;94:54-66.
    OpenUrlGeoRef
  28. ↵
    1. Ruhl L,
    2. Vengosh A,
    3. Dwyer GS, et al.
    Survey of the potential environmental and health impacts in the immediate aftermath of the coal ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee. Environ Sci Technol. 2009;43(16):6326-6333.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  29. ↵
    1. Ruhl L,
    2. Vengosh A,
    3. Dwyer GS, et al.
    The impact of coal combustion residue effluent on water resources: a North Carolina example. Environ Sci Technol. 2012;46(21):12226-12233.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  30. ↵
    1. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
    NCRP Report No. 92, Public Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Power Generation in the United States. Bethesda, MD: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements; 1987.
  31. ↵
    1. Christensen T,
    2. Fuglestvedt J,
    3. Benestad C, et al.
    Chemical and radiological risk factors associated with waste from energy production. Sci Total Environ. 1992;114:87-97.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  32. ↵
    1. Chizhikov V,
    2. Chikina S,
    3. Gasparian A, et al.
    Molecular follow-up of preneoplastic lesions in bronchial epithelium of former Chernobyl clean-up workers. Oncogene. 2002;21(15):2398-2405.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  33. ↵
    1. Costa DL,
    2. Dreher KL
    Bioavailable transition metals in particulate matter mediate cardiopulmonary injury in healthy and compromised animal models. Environ Health Perspect. 1997;105(Suppl 5): 1053-1060.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  34. ↵
    1. Bencko V,
    2. Symon K,
    3. Stalnik L,
    4. Bátora J,
    5. Vanco E,
    6. Svandová E
    Rate of malignant tumor mortality among coal burning power plant workers occupationally exposed to arsenic. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol. 1979;24(3):278-284.
    OpenUrl
  35. ↵
    1. Celik M,
    2. Donbak L,
    3. Unal F,
    4. Yüzbasıoglu D,
    5. Aksoy H,
    6. Yılmaz S
    Cytogenetic damage in workers from a coal-fired power plant. Mutat Res. 2007;627(2):158-163.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  36. ↵
    1. Karavuş M,
    2. Aker A,
    3. Cebeci D,
    4. Taşdemir M,
    5. Bayram N,
    6. Çali Ş
    Respiratory complaints and spirometric parameters of the villagers living around the Seyitomer coal-fired thermal power plant in Kütahya, Turkey. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2002;52(3):214-220.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  37. ↵
    1. Tang D,
    2. Li T-y,
    3. Liu JJ, et al.
    Effects of prenatal exposure to coal-burning pollutants on children's development in China. Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(5):674-679.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  38. ↵
    1. García-Pérez J,
    2. Pollán M,
    3. Boldo E, et al.
    Mortality due to lung, laryngeal and bladder cancer in towns lying in the vicinity of combustion installations. Sci Total Environ. 2009;407(8):2593-2602.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  39. ↵
    1. Šrám RJ,
    2. Binková B,
    3. Dejmek J,
    4. Bobak M
    Ambient air pollution and pregnancy outcomes: a review of the literature. Environ Helath Perspect. 2005;113(4):375-382.
    OpenUrl
  40. ↵
    1. Gohlke JM,
    2. Thomas R,
    3. Woodward A, et al.
    Estimating the global public health implications of electricity and coal consumption. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119(6):821-826.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  41. ↵
    1. Berhane K,
    2. Zhang Y,
    3. Salam MT, et al.
    Longitudinal effects of air pollution on exhaled nitric oxide: the Children's Health Study. Occup Environ Med. 2014;71(7):507-513.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  42. ↵
    1. Braun JM,
    2. Kahn RS,
    3. Froehlich T,
    4. Auinger P,
    5. Lanphear BP
    Exposures to environmental toxicants and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in US children. Environ Health Perspect. 2006;114(12):1904-1909.
    OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science
  43. ↵
    1. Block ML,
    2. Calderón-Garcidueñas L
    Air pollution: mechanisms of neuroinflammation and CNS disease. Trends Neurosci. 2009;32(9):506-516.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  44. ↵
    1. Goldizen FC,
    2. Sly PD,
    3. Knibbs LD
    : Respiratory effects of air pollution on children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51(1):94-108.
    OpenUrl
  45. ↵
    1. Levy JI,
    2. Spengler JD
    Modeling the benefits of power plant emission controls in Massachusetts. J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2002;52(1):5-18.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  46. ↵
    1. Markandya A,
    2. Wilkinson P
    Electricity generation and health. Lancet. 2007;370(9591):979-990.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  47. ↵
    1. Mayfield DB,
    2. Lewis AS
    Environmental review of coal ash as a resource for rare earth and strategic elements. Presentation at: Proceedings of the 2013 World of Coal Ash (WOCA) Conference; April, 2013; Lexington, KY.
  48. ↵
    1. Huddleston GM III.,
    2. Webb KW,
    3. Smith HH,
    4. Spacil MM
    Environmental Risk Assessments of Coal Ash Impoundments. Presentation at: 2017 World of Coal Ash (WOCA) Conference; May, 2017; Lexington, KY.
  49. ↵
    Coal Ash Management Act of 2014. NC Sess Laws, SB 729 (2014).
  50. ↵
    1. Levy JI,
    2. Greco SL,
    3. Spengler JD
    The importance of population susceptibility for air pollution risk assessment: a case study of power plants near Washington, DC. Environ Health Perspect. 2002;110(12):1253-1260.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  51. ↵
    1. Levy JI,
    2. Spengler JD,
    3. Hlinka D,
    4. Sullivan D,
    5. Moon D
    Using CALPUFF to evaluate the impacts of power plant emissions in Illinois: model sensitivity and implications. Atmospheric Environment. 2002;36(6):1063-1075.
    OpenUrl
  52. ↵
    1. Levy JI,
    2. Wilson AM,
    3. Evans JS,
    4. Spengler JD
    Estimation of primary and secondary particulate matter intake fractions for power plants in Georgia. Environ Sci Technol. 2003;37(24):5528-5536.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  53. ↵
    1. Carignan A,
    2. Culley M,
    3. Dinkins L, et al.
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Environmental Justice Concerns Associated with Potential Coal Ash Sites in North Carolina. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2016. https://ie.unc.edu/files/2017/01/ENEC698-Coal-Ash-Relocation-pits-Final-Paper.pdf. Accessed June 18, 2018.
  54. ↵
    1. Harkness JS,
    2. Sulkin B,
    3. Vengosh A
    Evidence for coal ash ponds leaking in the southeastern United States. Environ Sci Technol. 2016;50(12):6583-6592.
    OpenUrl
  55. ↵
    1. George A,
    2. Bozentka M,
    3. Brickner R, et al.
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Environmental Injustice and Well Water Contamination in North Carolina. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2017. https://ie.unc.edu/files/2017/12/Fall2017_ENEC698_EJ_Well_Water_Final_Report.pdf. Accessed June 19, 2018.
  56. ↵
    1. Munawer ME
    Human health and environmental impacts of coal combustion and post-combustion wastes. Journal of Sustainable Mining. 2018;17(2):87-96.
    OpenUrl
  57. ↵
    1. Zeger SL,
    2. Dominici F,
    3. McDermott A,
    4. Samet JM
    Mortality in the Medicare population and chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollution in urban centers (2000–2005). Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(12):1614-1619.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Eftim SE,
    2. Samet JM,
    3. Janes H,
    4. McDermott A,
    5. Dominici F
    Fine particulate matter and mortality: a comparison of the six cities and American Cancer Society cohorts with a medicare cohort. Epidemiology. 2008;19(2):209-216.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  58. ↵
    1. Laden F,
    2. Schwartz J,
    3. Speizer FE,
    4. Dockery DW
    Reduction in fine particulate air pollution and mortality extended follow-up of the Harvard six cities study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006;173(6):667-672.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  59. ↵
    1. Hermann RP,
    2. Divita F,
    3. Lanier JO
    Predicting premature mortality from new power plant development in Virginia. Arch Environ Health. 2004;59(10):529-535.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  60. ↵
    1. McConnell R,
    2. Berhane K,
    3. Gilliland F, et al.
    Prospective study of air pollution and bronchitic symptoms in children with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;168(7):790-797.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  61. ↵
    1. Chen LH,
    2. Knutsen SF,
    3. Shavlik D, et al.
    The association between fatal coronary heart disease and ambient particulate air pollution: are females at greater risk? Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113(12):1723-1729.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  62. ↵
    1. Chen L,
    2. Yang W,
    3. Jennison BL,
    4. Goodrich A,
    5. Omaye ST
    Air pollution and birth weight in northern Nevada, 1991-1999. Inhal Toxicol. 2002;14(2):141-157.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  63. ↵
    1. Woodruff TJ,
    2. Darrow LA,
    3. Parker JD
    : Air pollution and postneonatal infant mortality in the United States, 1999–2002. Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(1):110-115.
    OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science
    1. Pope CA III.,
    2. Burnett RT,
    3. Thun MJ, et al.
    Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. JAMA. 2002;287(9):1132-1141.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    1. O'Neill MS,
    2. Veves A,
    3. Zanobetti A, et al.
    Diabetes enhances vulnerability to particulate air pollution–associated impairment in vascular reactivity and endothelial function. Circulation. 2005;111(22):2913-2920.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

North Carolina Medical Journal: 79 (5)
North Carolina Medical Journal
Vol. 79, Issue 5
September-October 2018
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on North Carolina Medical Journal.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
The Impact of Coal-Powered Electrical Plants and Coal Ash Impoundments on the Health of Residential Communities
(Your Name) has sent you a message from North Carolina Medical Journal
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the North Carolina Medical Journal web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
17 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
The Impact of Coal-Powered Electrical Plants and Coal Ash Impoundments on the Health of Residential Communities
Julia Kravchenko, H. Kim Lyerly
North Carolina Medical Journal Sep 2018, 79 (5) 289-300; DOI: 10.18043/ncm.79.5.289

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
The Impact of Coal-Powered Electrical Plants and Coal Ash Impoundments on the Health of Residential Communities
Julia Kravchenko, H. Kim Lyerly
North Carolina Medical Journal Sep 2018, 79 (5) 289-300; DOI: 10.18043/ncm.79.5.289
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Objective, Method, and Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
    • Results and Discussion
    • Acknowledgments
    • 79503 APPENDIX 1.
    • 79503 APPENDIX 2.
    • 79503 APPENDIX 3.
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • Environment and Health at a Crossroads
  • Health and the Environment in North Carolina
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • The Epidemic of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
  • Reading, Writing, and Gaining Weight in North Carolina Schools
  • A Tribute to Francis A. Neelon, MD
Show more Original Articles

Similar Articles

About & Contact

  • About the NCMJ
  • Editorial Board
  • Feedback

Info for

  • Advertisers
  • Authors
  • Reviewers
  • Subscribers

Articles & Alerts

  • Archive
  • Current Issue
  • Get Alerts
  • Upcoming Articles

Additional Content

  • Current NCIOM Task Forces
  • NC Health Data & Resources
  • NCIOM Blog
North Carolina Medical Journal

ISSN: 0029-2559

© 2022 North Carolina Medical Journal

Powered by HighWire