Re: Coal Burning Power Plant

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Fri, 8 Oct 1999, Mr Jo wrote:
> 
> The only pollutants discussed were sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and soot. I
> couldn't help thinking of other pollutants such as 22 million tons of carbon dioxide
> (assuming 70% carbon in coal), 7.8 tons of U, 19.2 tons of Th, numerous daughters of
> U and Th, use of fly ash from coal burning in building materials and more.

	How about the chemical carcinogens that will last forever,
Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, etc. How about other
poisons like Mercury. Don't forget that the uranium released will
eventually turn into Radon.
	The evidence is that releases from an average coal burning power
plant kills at least 25 people per year, but nobody knows what components
of these releases do the dirty work.


 Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


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