Introduction
What is coal? Coal is a black substance used for fuel. Coal is nonrenewable resource or better known as a fossil fuel. Coal was formed over 300 million years ago (in the Carboniferous period) and comes from underground mines. How is coal made? Well coal is made in a very complicated way. First, coal is crushed into a powder and fused with hot air. Then,the blend is transferred to a furnace and heats a boiler with water to create steam. That steam turns a turbine engine and creates steam.
Pros and Cons
Coal is used to create useful things such as detergent and paint and produces electricity. Even though it makes those products it causes black lung. Black lung is when you inhale coal dust and makes your lungs look black instead of pink. It can cause chronic bronchitis. That makes coughing and difficult breathing. As WebMD states , "The inhalation and accumulation of coal dust into the lungs increases the risk of developing chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)." I think coal working should minimize so less people get black lung.
Environmental Impact
Coal releases soot and smoke which creates air pollution and poisons animals and humans. Since the coal industry is growing more air pollution is being released into the air. If we use it all we will have turn to new resources.
Costs
The sales price at coal mines is $34.83. The transportation cost for 1 ton is $10.83. It is about $24 dollars more from the coal mine then to transport it. Which makes coal expensive to have.
Current news
" Owners of 2 of the nations biggest coal- fired power plants have plans to shut them down, potentially idling hundreds of workers. One plant in Arizona is the largest coal-fired facility in the western United States." says the Washington Post. I think this is good because less air pollution in our air. It is also bad because we have less energy in that region.
Biblography
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/14/the-wests-largest-coal-fired-power-plant-is-closing-not-even-trump-can-save-it/?utm_term=.04f4b0f2652a
https://medlineplus.gov/chronicbronchitis.html#summary
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/black-lung-disease-topic-overview
https://www.utilitywise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Coal-Capacity-Utilitywise.jpg
https://medlineplus.gov/chronicbronchitis.html#summary
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/black-lung-disease-topic-overview
https://www.utilitywise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Coal-Capacity-Utilitywise.jpg