Urban pollution is a current problem, constituting a serious health risk. Many pollutants are present in the urban atmosphere, they are mainly anthropogenic, resulting from the combustion of coal. Several studies have shown the harmful effects of these pollutants, particularly on the respiratory system. Through a library review, we want to explore the effects on the health of general population and of outdoor workers exposed to the products resulting from the combustion of coal, in order to compare them with the estimated effects of the pollutants from the new generation coal plants, certainly less harmful to the environment. In recent years investments in "clean technologies" have resulted in a rapid and significant reduction of all polluting emissions: sulfur dioxide, dust, oxides of nitrogen, ash and gypsum resulting from the desulfurization process. To conclude in the light of the scientific literature we can say that the activation of coal plants based on technologies for the maximum containment and optimal treatment of the production cycle is essential to defend both the environment and the health of the population. Nevertheless it remains necessary to ensure a systematic monitoring of the environment of sanitation and food processing of the population living in the area, with a long-term follow-up.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7417/CT.2013.1547 | DOI Listing |
Environ Toxicol Chem
January 2025
Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
Legacy contaminants tied to energy production are a worldwide concern. Coal combustion residues (CCRs) contain high concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se), which can persist for decades after initial contamination. CCR disposal methods, including aquatic settling basins and landfills, can facilitate environmental exposure through intentional and accidental releases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol Lett
January 2025
PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
Oxidative potential (OP) is increasingly recognized as a more health-relevant metric than particulate matter (PM) mass concentration because of its response to varying chemical compositions. Given the limited research on the OP of complex combustion aerosols, the effects of aging processes on their OP remain underexplored. We used online instruments to track the evolution of OP [via dithiothreitol (DTT) assays] during the aging of wood burning and coal combustion emissions by hydroxyl-radical-driven photooxidation and dark ozonolysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Omega
January 2025
School of Safety Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, Anhui 232001, China.
The combustion of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) generates significant amounts of toxic and high-temperature smoke, which restricts its application. Here, an amino-modified Co-MOF (NH-Co-MOF) was synthesized and it was used in conjunction with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to decrease the flammability of RPUF. We obtained the expected results: the fire safety of RPUF was greatly enhanced by the addition of NH-Co-MOF and APP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Geochem Health
January 2025
College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
The superposition of heavy metals (HMs) from multiple anthropogenic sources in geochemical anomaly areas makes it difficult to discriminate prime sources in atmospheric HMs. This study utilized a combination of microscopic features, positive matrix factorisation, and Pb isotope fingerprints to trace the main sources of HMs bound to total suspended particulates (TSP) at a pollution site (Msoshui: MS) and control site (Lushan: LS) in northwestern Guizhou. The results reveal that the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the TSP of LS are 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
The -doped biochar is recognized as a promising, cost-effective, and efficient material for CO adsorption. However, achieving efficient enrichment of -containing adsorption sites and improving their accessibility remains a bottleneck problem that restricts the adsorption performance of -doped biochar. Herein, a synthesis strategy for nitrogen-doped biochar by one-pot ionothermal treatment of biomass and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) precursors accompanied by pyrolysis is demonstrated.
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