Understanding pollution from coal power plants

450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2006

Coal consumption in Jingjinji by province

HEBEI TIANJIN BEIJING

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Coal consumption by sector in Jingjinji in 2011

Power Heat Coking Industry Small scale use Other

Understanding pollution from coal power plants

Coal-fired power generation emits by far more SO2 and NOx – two of the key sources of PM2.5 in the atmosphere – than any other economic sector. Coal-fired power plants were the source of 50% of

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industrial SO2 emissions, 70% of NOx emissions and 20% of soot emissions in 2011. 9 This is despite the impressive progress made in installing new emission controls. Gaseous SO2 and NOx emissions are transformed in the atmosphere into sulphate and nitrate particles, two key constituents of PM2.5. These “secondary” particles make up one third of Beijing’s PM2.5 pollution 10 . The microscopic PM2.5 particles the microscopic particles penetrate deep into the lungs, and further into the bloodstream, causing inflammation, respiratory problems, coagulation of blood and toxic effects on many internal organs, including the brain. The result is increased risk of death from heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and respiratory diseases, and increased risk of asthma and respiratory infections.

More information

Andrew’s full resume, see http://newenergyeconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Gray-AnalysisNEE_OppStayExhs_1.13.2012-2.pdf#page=5 Technical background note on the modeling

9 China Environment Statistical Yearbook 2012 10 Yao et al 2010: Studies on formation and control of combustion particulate matter in China: A review.

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