Our Health

Coal plants are major emitters of hundreds of chemicals that can adversely impact our health. Many think our country faces a health crisis as a result of power plant pollution, and coal is the culprit. While coal produces 50% of the nation’s electricity, it is disproportionately responsible for the power industry’s pollution. Within the industry coal plants generate:

• 97% of fine particle, or soot, and sulfur dioxide emissions;
• 92% of smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions;
• 100% of mercury emissions; and
• 86% of carbon dioxide emissions.

With more than 70% of its energy coming from 12 existing coal plants, South Carolina already struggles with the effects of coal plant pollution.

A new coal plant proposed by Santee Cooper for the Pee Dee region of our state would intensify the health problems South Carolinians suffer from as a result of coal.

Soot and Smog

Particle pollution, or soot, is one of the most harmful coal pollutants. A typical coal plant releases hundreds to thousands of tons of tiny particles into the air. They are so small that, when inhaled into the lungs, they can directly enter the bloodstream and begin to cause problems ranging from breathing problems to heart trouble to death.

In South Carolina, soot cuts short the lives of more than 550 residents every year. Meanwhile, coal plants are permitted to emit more soot than the nation’s health care professionals believe is safe.

Santee Cooper’s coal plant would emit more than 900 pounds of soot annually and would include no safety measures specifically designed to limit emissions of these dangerous fine soot particles.

Smog is another harmful pollutant attributable to coal. Unfortunately, many of us in South Carolina are accustomed to the brown, hazy skies that are the result of smog pollution.

But smog is more than just an eyesore. It damages our lungs, leading to asthma and other pulmonary disorders.

Across the nation, at least one third of all childhood asthma can be attributed to pollution. In South Carolina more children suffer from asthma than in other states, and African American children are disproportionately affected. In Florence and Darlington counties, asthma and bronchitis are among the two leading causes of hospitalization.

Santee Cooper’s coal plant would annually emit nearly 10,500 tons of smog-forming nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide.

Mercury

Mercury is one of a host of toxic metals including lead and arsenic that are released into the environment as a result of burning coal.

In South Carolina more than 1,700 miles of our rivers and coastal waterways are contaminated by mercury. As a result, our state Department of Health and Environmental Control recommends against eating the fish caught in state waters.

Children and the elderly are most at risk from mercury pollution. One of ten South Carolina women already have enough mercury in their blood to put their children at risk of health effects. Acute mercury levels in children can cause brain damage and retardation, while chronic exposure can cause learning disabilities.

Santee Cooper’s coal plant will release 93 pounds of mercury into the environment every year, mostly in the lakes and streams surrounding the plant. Less than a teaspoon of mercury is sufficient to pollute an entire lake.