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Coal-Fired Power Plant Emissions
RadTown USA Topics
This page describes the radioactive material emitted from coal-fired power plants.
On this page:
Overview
Approximately 52% of the United States’ electricity is generated using coal as fuel. Coal is abundant and relatively inexpensive, but it also contains a large number of impurities.
Coal contains trace quantities of the naturally-occurring radionuclides uranium and thorium, as well as their radioactive decay products, and potassium-40. When coal is burned, minerals, including most of the radionuclides, do not burn and concentrate in the ash.
While most of the ash is captured, tiny solid particles known as "fly ash," including some radionuclides, escape from the boiler into the atmosphere. Current regulations focus on using control technology to reduce the amount of fly ash that escapes including most radioactive particles, and on proper disposal of the fly ash.
Who is protecting you
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA develops standards under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for coal-fired power plants. EPA has primary responsibility for setting federal radiation standards for exposure to naturally-occurring radioactive materials.
The States
Each state has one or more programs to address radiation protection, including naturally-occurring radioactive materials. Most states also control public exposure to radioactive materials through programs implementing the federal Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other environmental laws under authority delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE provides grants for research and studies on coal-fired plants and on clean coal technologies.
What you can do to protect yourself
Radioactive and non-radioactive emissions from coal-fired power plants most strongly affect those living and working near the plant. The hazards associated with radioactive emissions are similar to those of other pollutants.
Steps taken to reduce exposure to non-radioactive air pollutants also will reduce exposure to radioactive pollutants. On days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates dangerous or higher than average concentrations of air pollutants, follow recommendations made by local health officials, such as staying indoors. To find the AQI for your area, check the government's AirNow website.
Resources
| EPA Clean Air
Act 30 June 2005 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This page refers to the specific sections of the Clean Air Act that were amended in 1990. |
A
Comprehensive Assessment Of Toxic Emissions From Coal-Fired
Power Plants: Phase I Results From The U.S. Department
Of Energy Study
 September 1996 - U.S. Department of Energy: Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, Morgantown Energy Technology Center This technical report provides research results on developing a model to measure air emissions specifically from coal-fired power plants. |
| AirNow: Quality of Air Means Quality of Life 6 April 2006 - Cross-Agency U.S. Government Website This website provides information about how air quality impacts to public health. |
| Coal
Combustion: Nuclear Resource or Danger Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UT Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy This article discusses the radioactive pollution associated with the burning of coal. |
| Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Materials
August 2004. World Nuclear Association (Accessed 03 April 2006) This document discusses coal combustion and other naturally-occurring radioactive materials and potential impacts to public health. |