Comparative toxicity of coal and coal ash: Assessing biological impacts and potential mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo testing.

Background: Coal and coal ash present inorganic elements associated with negative impacts on environment and human health. The objective of this study was to compare the toxicity of coal and coal ash from a power plant, assess their inorganic components, and investigate the biological impacts and potential mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo testing.

Methods: Particle-Induced X-ray Emission method was used to quantify inorganic elements and the toxicity was evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans and Daphnia magna in acute and chronic procedures.