A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Monday, July 9, 2018
Coal power plants are ecological disasters
Coal is the dirtiest source of fossil fuel. When burned it produces emissions that cause global warming, create acid rain and pollute water and farm land. Coal burning produces many pollutants. These are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals and radioisotopes. Pollution from coal – fired power plants lead to numerous respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular effects. Coal dust released during coal transport can cause severe and potentially deadly respiratory problems.
Coal combustion waste in USA is the second largest waste stream after
municipal solid waste. It is disposed of in landfills or surface
impoundments. As rain filters through the toxic ash pits year after
year, the toxic metals are leached out into the local environment.
Pollution from particulate matter
The particulate matter emitted from coal plant (PM) has a very grave
effect on public health. The main contributor to the particulate matter
is coal fly ash, and minor are sulphate and nitrate Coal fly ash is the
incombustible materials that is 20% of the collected coal – ash.
Particulate matter causes irritation and obstructions on fine airways of
the lungs. This leads to asthma and chronic bronchitis. Every four tons
of coal burned produce one ton of ash. It is further estimated that one
ton of ash can spread over up to 150,000 square km (60,000 square
miles). Fly ash can travel up to 40 - 50 km in the down wind direction.
It settles down subsequently causing land degradation, severe air and
water pollution and diseases in plants and animals, including humans.
Under this coverage area the harmful substances have been detected even in the milk of cows. According to WHO, exposure to PM increases the risk of death from heart disease, respiratory diseases and lung cancer. A study conducted in USA found that the underground dumped ash (produced by coal – fired power plants) has contaminated ground water. The toxic contaminants include Arsenic and lead. Arsenic causes skin, bladder and lung cancer and leads damage to the nervous system. Local aquatic life is also disrupted due to the coal ash life cycle because coal ash also transmits various types of toxic contaminants into the local atmosphere which travels to other sites with air. The carried over coal ash is dropped and dissolved in ponds, lakes and rivers. A research conducted by Stuttgart University estimates that the air pollution caused by coal – fired power plants was responsible for 22,300 premature deaths in the EU in 2010.
Under this coverage area the harmful substances have been detected even in the milk of cows. According to WHO, exposure to PM increases the risk of death from heart disease, respiratory diseases and lung cancer. A study conducted in USA found that the underground dumped ash (produced by coal – fired power plants) has contaminated ground water. The toxic contaminants include Arsenic and lead. Arsenic causes skin, bladder and lung cancer and leads damage to the nervous system. Local aquatic life is also disrupted due to the coal ash life cycle because coal ash also transmits various types of toxic contaminants into the local atmosphere which travels to other sites with air. The carried over coal ash is dropped and dissolved in ponds, lakes and rivers. A research conducted by Stuttgart University estimates that the air pollution caused by coal – fired power plants was responsible for 22,300 premature deaths in the EU in 2010.
Pollution from nitrogen, sulphur oxides
Modern day coal power plants pollute less than older designs due to new
technologies that filter the exhaust air in smoke stacks. However
emission levels of various pollutants are greater than the emissions
from natural gas power plants. Pollution from coal – fired power plants
comes from the emission of gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur
oxides into the atmosphere. These gases react with the atmospheric air
to create acidic compounds, which precipitate as rain leading to acid
rain.
Pollution from heavy metals
Coal contains many heavy metals. Many of the heavy metals released in
the burning of coal are environmentally and biologically toxic elements,
such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, as well as radio isotopes.
A research conducted by University of Stuttgart under commission from Greenpeace found that coal-burnt power plants were the largest source of mercury air emissions in the EU. It is stated that 200,000 babies are born each year in the EU with mercury levels harmful to their mental and neurological development. A 500 MW coal power plant produces 170 pounds of mercury per a year. A teaspoon of mercury added to a 25-acre lake will make the fish in that lake unsafe for consumption. Lead and Cadmium are toxic metals that accumulate in human and animal tissues leading to mental retardation, development disorders and damage to the nervous system.
A 500 MW coal powered plan produces 225 pounds of arsenic per year. In people who drink water which contain 50 parts per billion of arsenic, the chance of developing cancer is 1 in 100.
A research conducted by University of Stuttgart under commission from Greenpeace found that coal-burnt power plants were the largest source of mercury air emissions in the EU. It is stated that 200,000 babies are born each year in the EU with mercury levels harmful to their mental and neurological development. A 500 MW coal power plant produces 170 pounds of mercury per a year. A teaspoon of mercury added to a 25-acre lake will make the fish in that lake unsafe for consumption. Lead and Cadmium are toxic metals that accumulate in human and animal tissues leading to mental retardation, development disorders and damage to the nervous system.
A 500 MW coal powered plan produces 225 pounds of arsenic per year. In people who drink water which contain 50 parts per billion of arsenic, the chance of developing cancer is 1 in 100.
Radioactivity and coal
Coal contains minor amounts of the radioactive elements, uranium and
thorium. When coal is burned, the fly ash contains uranium and thorium
“at up to 10 times their original levels.”It has been estimated that
concentration of radioactive material is increased from 0.03% to 0.12%
annually in the upper 30 cm. layer of soil in a radius of 20 km of coal
power plants.
Retirement of coal-power plants
USA has retired 175 coal fired power plants up to 2016. Britain has
built 30 gas fired power plants to replace coal powered plants. France
only produces 4% of its electricity needs from coal fired plants and
even then has closed down 7 coal – fired units. Germany is moving
towards renewable energy sources and has announced that the coal power
plant opened in 2017 would be the last such plant in Germany.Canadian
coal consumption has been reduced to 42% since 2005. The decrease is
because Canada is gradually stopping power generation from coal – fired
power plants. China is moving away from coal and at present has the
highest wind power capacity in the world. China will soon overtake
Germany for installed solar power capacity.
"A 500 MW coal power plant produces 170 pounds of mercury per year
Particulate matter emitted from coal plant has grave effects on public health
A ton of fly ash can spread over up to 150,000 sq. km (60,000 sq. miles)
Burning coal contains hazardous biological toxic elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic"
Norochcholai power plant
No detailed study of pollution from Norochcholai power plant is
available. The silence from Universities and environmental agencies is
quite surprising. We know that pollution in Kandy and Colombo and
various water bodies are frequently studied and communications are
submitted. However a report from an activist about the Norochcholai
power plant shows the importance given to environmental protection. He
states that the cooling towers ocean intakes have a screen that is
intended to stop large fish and shellfish going through the pipe.
However, a large quantity of shellfish and large fish are also getting
caught and killed. There is a mountain of dead marine life stacked in
the ash dump. If we are unable to maintain a filtering screen, there is
no point in talking about preventing pollution control.
The future of coal power in SL
There is no future for coal power in Sri Lanka. People who have seen the
effects of Norochcolai power plant will not allow a power plant to be
established in their areas. If the government tries to impose this
project by force, it will lead to riots. The government will be forced
to close the project after large financial losses and irreparable
political damage.