Health effects of coal combustion

Czech version

Authors: L. Křivohlavá
Authors‘ workplace: Vedoucí: prof. MUDr. Leoš Navrátil, CSc., MBA, dr. h. c. ; Děkan: prof. MUDr. Ivan Dylevský, DrSc. ; Fakulta biomedicínského inženýrství, Kladno ; Katedra zdravotnických oborů a ochrany obyvatelstva ; České vysoké učení technické v Praze
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2020; 100(6): 267-269
Category: Reviews

Overview

Burning coal in power plants emits more particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals per unit of energy than any other fuel source. Coal is also the largest contributor to the human-made increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere and according to the International Energy Administration, coal combustion is responsible for more than 30% of the average global temperature increase (since preindustrial times). Climate change is now widely recognised as the biggest global threat of the 21^st century. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from heat stress, malnutrition, diarrhoea and malaria (according to the WHO).

Keywords:

Coal – Air pollution – Climate change

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