The Silent Epidemic - 9780262526098

We will not find "exposure to burning coal" listed as the cause of death ona single death certificate, but tens of thousands of deaths from asthma, chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses are clearly linked tocoal-derived pollution. As politicians and advertising campaigns extol the virtues of "cleancoal," the dirty secret is that coal kills. In The Silent Epidemic, AlanLockwood, a physician, describes and documents the adverse health effects of burning coal.Lockwood's comprehensive treatment examines every aspect of coal, from its complex chemical makeupto details of mining, transporting, burning, and disposal--each of which generates significanthealth concerns. He describes coal pollution's effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, andnervous systems, and how these problems will only get worse; explains the impact of global warmingon coal-related health problems; and discusses possible policy approaches to combat coal pollution.Coal fueled the industrial revolution and has become a major source of energy in virtually everycountry. In the United States, almost half of the energy used to generate electricity comes fromburning coal. Relatively few people are aware of the health threats posed by coal-derivedpollutants, and those who are aware lack the political clout of the coal industry. Lockwood'sstraightforward description of coal as a health hazard is especially timely, given the barrage ofmarketing efforts to promote coal as part of "energy independence." His message is clearand urgent: "Coal-fired plants make people sick and die, particularly children and those withchronic illnesses, and they cost society huge amounts of money desperately needed for otherpurposes."