HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Sulfur Oxides and Acid Rain
Coal plants emit a number of highly acidic gasses. The ones with the most impact are sulfur oxides (SOx). These gasses, along with other microscopic emissions, form particulate matter which is discussed below. They are also responsible for acid rain. The EPA implemented regulations to reduce these emissions in the eastern U.S. in 1995. This program has decreased emissions and reduced the incidence of acid rain. Sulfur oxides remain a significant contributor to particulate pollution. In 2007 the EPA announced a cap and trade program that targets a 45% reduction in coal plant SOx emissions by 2010. The environmental community is paying close attention to this program due to concerns that the cap and trade process may not meet the target in terms of actual reductions. EPA summary of CAIR Program.
The Dirty Kilowatts report by the Environmental Integrity Project reports that “power plants, especially those that burn coal, are by far the largest single contributor of SO2 pollution in the United States, accounting for approximately 67 percent of all SO2 emissions nationwide. Sulfates (from SO2) are major components of the fine particle pollution that plagues many parts of the country, especially communities nearby or directly downwind of coal-fired power plants. Sulfur oxide also interacts with NOx to form nitric and sulfuric acids, commonly known as acid rain, which damages forests and acidifies soil and waterways. Harvard School of Public Health studies have shown that SO2 emissions from power plants significantly harm the cardiovascular and respiratory health of people who live near the plants. According to EPA studies, fine particle pollution from power plants results in thousands of premature deaths each year.” full report – see page 8