Hazard of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health Essay

blacken is a solid but brittle sedimentary jolt with a inborn brown to black color and is made up of one C, hydrogen, atomic number 8, nitrogen, and lesser amounts o f sulphur and trace elements. burn is classified into quartet types depending on the carbo n, oxygen and hydrogen content on which the higher(prenominal)(prenominal) the carbon content, the much nada the combust contains ( char at a Glance, 2009). The amount of energy in burn is define d by the heat abide by measured by British thermal units (Btu). One Btu is equivalent to the amount of energy in a single match (RockTalk, 2005). The four types of char include lignite, sub bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. The lowest swan of the ember i s lignite and has a change value of 4,000 to 8,300 British thermal units (Btu) per pound.This type is the sof screen with high moisture content, least amount of carbon a nd is mainly use to produce electrical energy. The second least of the four types is sub-bitumino us blacken with a heat value of 8,300 to 13,000 Btu per pound and contains 35 to 45 per centum carbon. After addition of more heat and printing press on lignite, bituminous blacken is formed which is made of many tiny layers. It contains 11,000 to 15,500 Btu per pound heating value and is an all-important(a) fuel for the marque and iron in systemries. Of the commonly minable embers, anthracite is the hardest and has a heating value of 15,000 Btu per p ound containing 86 to 97 percent carbon ( coal at a Glance, 2009).Coal is a non-renewable source of energy because it takes million of years to form. It has become a powerhouse by the 1800s in America in which the people utilize char to manufacture goods and to power steamships and railroad engines . It was noted that after the Ameri apprize civilized war, coal was used to make iron and steel and by the end of 1800s, people used coal to make electricity. In the 1900s, coal is the mainstay for the res publicas business and in studries. Coal stayed Americas number one energy source until petroleum was used for petroleum products that became a demand. In 2009, 93.6 percent of all the coal in the get together States was used for electricity production.Coal gene grade almost half of the electricity used in the U.S (Coal at a Glance, 2009). Based from Gree n World Investor (2011), coal has numerous uses in the beginning as a source of fuel and as a rich carbon source. It in addition plays an important role in cement and steel in frameries and coal is the crowingst source of electricity production. Coal is mainly used as fuel to generate electricity t hrough combustion. In steel production, coal together with iron, be the two raw materials used to produce steel in which the former is used as a fuel to smelt the iron in furnace until the cast iron is further refined. Similar with electricity and cement production, coal is also being used as a fuel in cement industry. Furthermore, constitution a nd alum inum industry also uses coal as a fuel since coal is cheap and precise available for these types of industries that are bulky consumers of energy fuel.According to World Coal connexion (2012), the biggest market for coal is Asia, which currently accounts for over 65% of global coal consumption although China is obligated for a significant proportion of this. Many countries do not direct n atural energy resources fit to cover their energy needs, and therefore need to import energy to help meet their requirements. Japan, Chinese capital of Taiwan and Korea, for example, import significant quantities of steam coal for electricity generation and co king coal for steel production. They also added that coal users further include alumina refineries and chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Chemical products can be produced from the by-products of coal. Refined coal tar is used in the manufacture of c hemicals, much(prenominal) as creosote oil, naphthalene, phenol, and benzene.Des pite the myriad benefits coal has to offer, t here is al substances a disadvantage of using it. According to Fossil Fuel Resources (2012), coal burning causes the emission of harmful perily such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphuric bitters, arsenic and ash. Furthermore, coal emits twice as much carbon dioxide compared to natural gas in producing the same level of heat which increases the level of emission of greenhouses ga ses into the acress atmosphere. As well as large calculateies and power industry that burn coal causes acid rain in some areas. Moreover, coal digging damages t he landscape a nd the environment as a whole plus t he large and stertorous equipment used for digging may a ffect local wildlife.Transportation of coal can also be a problem since it requires extensive transportation system and causes additional befoulment from vehicle emissions. An new(prenominal)wise huge disadvantage is that the coal is a non-renewable energy source and thi s millennium, coal can be down in the mouth if burning of coal is continued in the future. Likewise, in coal digging industry, wellness difficulties of miners occur and fatalities cod to dangerous nature of work increase. This paper would be tackling about the wellness Hazard that is imposed other could be caused by coal and coal mi ning. However, it is important to understand the impact of this activity to providence and environment, which could help in knowing the impact to wellness t hus socioeconomic and environmental effects of coal mine are at the same judgment of conviction discussed.Developing co untries seek to exploit mineral resources to provide needed r veritable(a)ue thus, mineral wealth is a part of some nations natural capital (Davis and Tilton, 2003). However, Sideri and Johns (1990) give tongue to that mineral development does not always boost a unpolisheds economic growth and in some cases contribute to increased poverty. Some of the add factors f or this hap were low level of purpose, institutional corruption and mismanagement (Sideri and Johns, 1990). Coal industry development may terminus in national economic growth however, the benefits are not equally shared, causing local communities nearest to the exploit site suffer the most. Miranda et. al (1998) added that mining as a usual creations negative impacts such as alcoholism, prostitution a nd sexually transmitted disease.According to Dr. Michael Hendryx (2009), Areas with especially heavy mining stupefy the highest unemployment evaluate in the region contrary to the common perception that mining contributes to overall employment. S ynapse Energy Economics (2009) added, referring to Appalachia where mountaintop removal for coal mining is being done, History shows that the transition from wooden-headed to lift mining devastated the region economically, and that the prosperity of mining companies has not departed throw in strain with the economi c welfare of c oal mine workers. Appalachia has suffered from current and persistent economic di stress, and that this distress has been associated with employment in the mining industry, particularly coal mining. Mountaintop removal coal mining remove the miner from the process, replacing custody with machinery, and lowering the coal companies overhead cost (Appalachian Voices, 2012).From the term Mortality in Appalachian Coal archeological site Regions The Value of Statistical Life Lost authored by Michael Hendryx and Melissa M. Ahern (2009), it was stated that the Appalachian region of the United States has long been associated with severe socioeconomic disadvantages. These results to a misfortunate public health comprising elevated morbidity and deathrate rates for a variety of serious, chronic conditions, such as diabetes, intent disease, and some forms of cancer. Furthermore, recent studies have confirmed that health discrepancies exist in coal mining regions of Appalachia compared wit h other areas of the region or the nation . These discrepancies include elevated mortality rate rates for total causes, lung cancer, and some chronic illnesses.It was noted that t hese studies showed that mortality is related to to higher poverty, lower educati on levels, and smoking behavior, and further s uggested that environmental defilement from the mining industry is a contributing factor. In the believe of Paul junior (2004) , Environmental impacts of coal mining and associated wastes a geochemical perspec tive, it was stated that in the early years of coal mining, impact on the environment adversely affect long -established agricultural interests. The negative impacts of coal mining came to be accepted as a by-product of the generation of coal-based wealth d uring the time when coal trade dominate regional economies in mining districts. These negative impacts became unacceptable when large-scale mining began and took place in major(ip) coal-mining economies. It was furth er stated in the field of view that t he environmental impacts of coal mining are results of the exposure of rock-bottom earth materials that involves coal and others, to the oxidizing power of the Earths atmosphere. The study recognize subcategories of impacts under five major headings consisting of air pollu tion, fire hazards, ground deformation, pee pollution and irrigate resource depletion.Production of large quantities of waste is one major environmental issue that can be caused by coal mining. The impacts are more widespread in open-casts compared to subway system mining, which produces less waste. Severe impacts could cause degradation of aquatic and marine resources and causes water quality reduction. According to Johnson (1997), erosion after heavy rainfall pushes waste rock piles and runoffs to nigh waste bodies and sometimes, this lead to disruption, diversion, and changing of slope and bank stability of stream channel and t hese disturbances importantly reduces th e water quality. Ripley (1996) added that higher sediment concentrations increase the t urbidity of natural waters which lowers the available light to aquatic plant for photosynthesis. Elimination of important food source and decreased available habitat for fish to immigrate and spawn usually happens if there is increased sediment loads that s uffocate organisms in marine organisms (Johnson, 1997). Furthermore, higher sediments decrease the depth of water bodies which could contribute to flood (Mason, 1997).Deforestation is also a major verificatory environmental impact of coal mining especially i n opencast or surface mining. Biodiversity is greatly affected , more importantly the removal of vegetation that alters the shelter and the availability of food for the wildlife. Coal mining also poses an environmental alarm in wetlands such as estuaries, mangroves and floodplains that actually served as natural filters of pollution as well as provide habitat for aquatic organisms. The se areas are destroyed through and through direct habitat elimination or pollution from washable coals that were washed to produc e a well- delimitate pure coal (H.A. Mooney et al, 1995).Mining activities in general has many environmental impacts but at the same time, poses a significant risk to human health. The health cost of mining operations most of the time outweighs the advantages gaine d ( Yeboah, J.Y, 2008). Possible hazard including diseases or illnesses acquired from coal mining is discussed below as summary of dissimilar studies and obligates about health risks caused by exposure to coal and coal mining.The association of pneumoconiosi s and other respiratory health risks with exposure to respirable mixed dust was identified in the study of Love R.G, Miller B.G.,6 The Hazards of Coal and Coal Mining to Human health et. al. (1997), entitled Respiratory health effects of opencast coalmining a cross sectional study of current workers conducted in United Kingdom opencast coal mines. The study carried out 1,224 men and 25 women at nine large and medium sized opencast sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Full sized chest radiographs, respiratory symptoms, occupational history questionnaires, and simple spirometry were used in the study to characterize the respiratory health of the workforce. In addition, logistic or multiple regression techniques were utilise to examine relations amidst indices of exposure and respiratory health.The study c oncluded that the frequency of (mostly mild) chest radiographic abnormalities is associated with working in the dustier, preproduction jobs in the coal mining industry. Although some of these mild abnormalities may be non -occupational (due to senescent or smok ing), the association with exposure indicates a small risk of pneumoconiosis in these men, and the need to admonisher and control exposures, particularly in the high-risk occupations. This study of respiratory health effects of opencast coal mining seem s unalarming and maybe controlled since it was indicated that there is a small risk of pneumoconiosis among miners, however, coal mining effects to humans are not just limited to respiratory health. Furthermore, there are discordant studies that could prove that co al mining or coal combustion is a great contributing factor of respiratory illnesses most especially black lung disease.The negative impact of coal mining pollution to public health is analyzed in a study in wolfram Virginia. Michael Hendryx and Melissa Ahern (2008) used the data from a 2001 research survey correlated with data from West Virginia Geological and economic survey showing volume of coal production from mining. Hendryx and Ahern study was Relations between Health Indicators and Residential law of proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia which have examined the coal mining in West Virginia if it is related to poorer health status and incidence of chronic illness. The study used data from a survey of 16, 4 93 West Virginians merged with county- level coal production and other covariates in investigating the relations between health indicators and residential proximity to coal mining.The research sought to find whether the effects of coal mining may result only from socioeconomic factors such as inco me and education problems together with environmental exposure problems or it a lso a ffects the health saying of the people. It was emphasized that quantitative research on health consequences of residential proximity to coal mining is limited to a few stud ies of respiratory illness, which was conducted in striking Britain. With t hese few studies, one showed no effect of coal mining but there are studies t hat found increased risks. These were the main reason why this study was conducted. The result of the study showed that As coal production increased, health status worsened, and rates of cardio pneumonic disease, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease inc reased. deep down larger disease categories, specific types of disease associated with coal production included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), black lung disease, and hypertension.The research found t hat the result of black lung disease is higher in men compared to women since this condition affects miners which are men. The risks for coal -associated illnesses increase with exposure to coal by-products. Toxins and impurities in coal cause kidney disease, hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. The effects also resulted from the general seditious or systemic consequences of inhaled p holds and these effects may be multi -factorial, a result of slurry holdings that leach toxins into drinking water and air pollution effects of coal mining and washing. This study served as a screening test to examine whether co al mining poses a health risk for adults living near the mining site. The researcher recommended that confirmatory tests should be undertaken to establi sh mechanism of action, magnitude, and health consequences of an exposure effect.Another study of health hazard brought by coal mining is The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in ce ntral Appalachia, 19962003, a research study authored by Melissa Ahern et. al.(2011). This study examined birth defects in mountaintop coal mining areas compared to other coal mining areas and in non-mining areas of central A ppalachia. The researchers aimed to know if higher birth-defect rates are present in mountaintop mining areas . Moreover, this study analyzed 1996-2003 live births i n four Central Appalachian states using natality files from National Center for Health Statistics.It was stated from the study that The prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for any birth defect was importantly higher in mountaintop m ining areas compared to n on-mining areas, but was not higher in the non m ountaintop mining areas, after controlling for covariates. Rates were significant ly higher in m ountain top m ining areas for six of s as yetty types of defects circulatory/ respiratory, central nervous system, m usculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and other. It was found out that mountaintop- mining effects became more pronounced in the last mentioned years (20002003) versus earlier years (19961999.). Furthermore, it was mentioned that the elevated birth defect rates are partly a function of socioeconomic disadvantage, but remain elevated after controlling for those risks. They also added that two socioeconomic and e nvironmenta l inf luences in mountaintop mining areas maybe contributing factors.In a researc h article authored by Hans L. Falk and William Jurgelski, Jr., Health personal effects of Coal Mining and Combustion Carcinogens and Cofactors, carcinogens and cofactors that may be present in coal is being tackled. As an epidemiologic evidence of carcinogenic risks in coal mining and combustion, it was mentioned that some(prenominal) epidemi ological studies imply that the incidence of gastric carcinoma in coal miners is elevated above that of comparable segments of the general population not engaged in mining of coal.On t he other hand, the article noted that death rate of coal miners from lung cancer is appreciably lower than the rate for non-miners of comparable age. It was explained that the data obtained from various studies about lower rate of lung cancer among coal miners loyally suggest that an unknown factor probably coal dust, exerts a protective effect from acquiring cancer. It was further noted that even though the coal dust is beneficial with regard to lung cancer, it is the causative factor of black lung disease. Therefore, while lung cancer rates might not increase as a result of an expansion of coal production, black lung and other respiratory diseases would probably become more prevalent.Health effect of exposure to respirable coal mine dust according to Center for Disease and Control Prevention includ es Black Lung Disease or Coal doers Pneumocosis (CWP), silicosis, mixed -dust pneumoconiosis and Chronic Obstructive pneumonic Disease (COPD). CWP was defined as a chronic dust disease of the lung and its sequelae, including respiratory and pulmonary impairments, arising out of coal mine employment. It was moreover defined as parenchymal lung disease produced by deposits of coal dust in the lung and the response of the host to the retained dust. The prime lesion of CWP is like that of silicosis however, the amount and nature of dust and quantity and disposition of fibrous tissue and the presence of emphysema differs. Coal macules are rounded, irregular and ranges from 1 to 5 millimeters, lesions are distributed symmetrically found in both lungs with a greater concentration in the upper lobes (Attfield and Wagner, 1992).The proportion of dust, cellular material, or collagen varies depending on the rank of coal dust inhaled (Cotes and Steel, 1987). Silicosis develops when respirab le silica inhaled is deposited in the lungs and varies from chronic, complicated, accelerated, or acute. Third is mixed -dust pneumoconiosis, which describes pulmonary lesions where crystalline silica is deposited combined with less fibrogenic dusts as iron oxides, kaolin, mica and coal (Silicosis and Silicate Disease Comittee, 1988). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to three disease processes which involve chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma which are all characterized by respiratory tract dysfunction (Barnhart, 1994). COPD is mainly caused by cigarette smoking nevertheless, it could also be caused by air pollution and exposure to dust. Chronic bronchitis is associated with airflow obstruction and abnormalities in gas exchange (Barnhart, 1994).Coal dust and its sequelae are not the only health hazards of coal mining. Common occupational hazards brought by mining are also applied in mining coal. According to Institute for Occupational and Safety Development (2006), M ining poses ugly risks to life and limb, not only to miners but to community as well .Hazardous mining operations caused both directly and indirectly countless accident. Hazards presented by mining to workers include intense exposure to heat, poor ventilation, fumes, repetitive stress injury, intense noise, manual handling of heavy machinery aside from biological and chemical hazard.mineworkers tend to have fluid and salt deficiency due to constant sweating since hydration is very limited combined with inte nse heat especially in underground mining sites. Furthermore, miners could have increased heart stress, heat stroke, and fertility reduction due to high temperature. Poor ventilation on the other hand, steals the oxygen from the body which results to brain malfunction and this can lead to death. Vibration from handling or operating large machines could result to permanent bone damage and vibration syndrome or dead finger syndrome that could proceed to hand and finger gangrene. The constant shaking could als o boarded to digestive problems because of constant moving of internal organs. comprehend impairment or disruption of body functions such as blood circulation and hormone imbalance could be a result of noise and hazardous sound that comes from drilling, blasting among others. Manual lifting of materials can cause approve troubles leading to acute pain.Based from the government statistics, a ccidents in the industry of mining was used to be 0.1% in the year 2000 of the total occupational accidents however in 2 002 it increased to 1.7% of the total accidents which is in fact only 0.3% of the total labor force was into mining and this poses a very dangerous trim down for mining ( IODC, 2006). Hazards mentioned above are, of course, i nevitable due to the nature of the activity itself. Yet, there are still other ways for them, in a way, to minimize the occurrence of these while working. In line with this is the importance of risk management.T o be aware of the Risk Management is very important most espe cially when involving to activities that could pose risk not only to one s heal th but also to emotional, psychosocial, economical and e nvironmental aspect of an individual. Risk management is mainly the identification, assessment and prioritizations of threats brought about the actions handout through or have gone through already. Through this method, t he pros and cons o f the action to be considered could be weighed. In t his discussion paper, certain risks that should have been given much attention b y the implementers of coal mining are tackled.From the hazards mentioned above, risk management that could minimize the impact includes the following assessment. There should have been even just an exhaust fan or some opening that some air could enter for them to be able to breathe as ordinarily as possible. Also, to be able to minimize cases of deafness, miners are talk over to wear ear plugs when heavy equipment is be i ng operated. Through this, noise could be minimized. It will also be advisable for the miners to have a sufficient supply of water with them as they progress with their work. Proper hydration is very much essential for them because there is poor ventilation inside the mine. The beverage they have with them should contain electrolytes for them to minimize incidence of fluid and salt deficiencies.An excerpt taken from t he article of Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Development s tates that, Mines exposes workers to different types of airborne particulates, making them endangered to systemic toxic effects due to the absorption of coal dus t. Coupled with poor ventilation, this can trigger accidents and cause death to workers. RSI being a soft -issue disorder is caused by overloading of particular muscle stem from repetitive use or maintenance of constrained postures. Miners who suffer from RSI complain of weakness of the affected muscles, heaviness, pins and needles magician and numbness.In this hazard, miners are expected to have protective masks that cou ld keep them from inhaling coal dust. Without the masks, this makes them very much vulnerable, primarily, to respiratory diseases and to other health -related illnesses. Presence of openings within the mines should also be considered for them to be able to breathe normally as possible.According to an article posted on www.greatmining.com, Coal dust settles like pollen over the touch areas. As what we ha ve discussed o n our Environmental Health class this s ummer, coal dust measures above 100m. Thus, it could only irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat but not going further . Yet, considering that there is an occurence of anthracosis, which is detect ed primarily in the lungs. There is a contradiction between this standard measurement and association and the chemical effect of the inhalation of coal dust.According to a study conducted by Sapko,M. J, et. al, Particle size can vary both within and between mines, since size is underage on several factors such as mine type (i.e., longwall or continuous miner, along with sculpture speed and depth) and coal seam type. In addition to total incombustible content and methane concentration, the coal dust particle size should be considered as an essential part of the explosibility assessment strategy in underground coal mines.Coal mining creates several billion gallons of coal slurry, which contains extremely high levels of mercury, cadmium, and nickel. Although lauded by mining companies that this is a safer, more efficient way to produce coal, this type of strip mining has evoked strong protests from environmentalists and people who reside near coal mining areas. Coal mining work can be extremely dangerous, a s the numerous occupational hazards can cause critical injuries or even death. Since coal is also a necessity in our day to day lives, there is no way to be able to totally terminate or stop the oper ations of coal mining. All we could do is to minimize the risks that could threaten us if we are to put up or be involved in coal mining.ReferencesAhern M . e t. al. (2011) . The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in ce ntral Appalachia, 19962003. E nvironmental Research mess 111, Issue 6, Pp 838846Attfield MD, Wagner GR 1992. A report on a workshop on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health B Reader certification program. J Occup Med 34875Colina N P (2006). 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