Question

Smoke, smoke everywhere smoke. Do you agree this situation is good for health? List out the harmful effects of coal burning.

Answer 1

Hint:-Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristic of air is referred to as air pollution. Any such substance which alters the composition of air is known as an air pollutant. Smoke is one such air pollutant.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
Smoke is mainly produced as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Coal and natural oil and gas are also known as fossil fuels. The burning of coal releases smoke, soot and particulate matter in air. Smoke present in the atmosphere is detrimental to human health and also other living organisms. It contains noxious and partially oxidized products like fly ash.
Coal burning poses severe environmental and public health impacts, some of which are listed below.
Coal is the largest contributor to the man-made increase of carbon dioxide in the air.
Release of carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) raise the earth’s temperature and cause climate change and global warming.
Waste generated by burning coal contains heavy metals residues like arsenic, mercury, cadmium etc. These are toxic and harmful to health and environment.
Sulphur when released in air forms sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain. This Interferes with groundwater and water table levels.
Generated waste products contaminate land and water bodies.
Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked with several respiratory diseases like asthma, cancer and chronic bronchitis. It may also cause heart ailments, neurological problems and premature death.

Note:-
The coal we burn today was formed 250 million years ago over a period of millions of years. In India, coal is mainly used in thermal power plants (NTPC). The annual coal consumption of 33 coal based thermal power plants is about 174 million tonnes (2018-2019). Instead of coal, we should opt for cleaner and reliable alternatives of natural energy resources like wind and solar energy.