14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, the Health and Environment Alliance released a new report documenting how air pollution caused by coal-fired plants affects public health in the United Kingdom.
In the report, researchers working with the Alliance detail that, according to their investigations, said facilities must be held accountable for about 1,600 yearly premature deaths.
What's more, they argue that air pollution from coal plants must be linked to about 68,000 additional days of medication yearly, and some 363,266 lost working days annually.
Finally, it appears that emissions produced by these energy-generating facilities are to blame for over one million minor respiratory issues reported on a yearly basis.
All in all, these effects of air pollution on public health are estimated to cost the UK about £1.5 to 3.3 billion ($2.4 to $5.4 billion / €1.8 to 3.9 billion) annually.
“The scientific evidence that air pollution causes disease is no longer in doubt. Ambient air pollution is recognized as a leading determinant of health globally and in Western Europe – and coal combustion is an important source of this pollution,” commented on these findings Dr. Michal Krzyzanowski, now a visiting professor at King's College London.
“The external costs to health from coal power generation are bigger than for any other energy source,” added Professor Paul Wilkinson with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Click Green reports that, this coming Wednesday, high officials in the UK are to meet and decide whether or not to pass a bill intended to set strict greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for old coal-fired power stations operating in the country.
In light of their recent findings, the researchers working with the Health and Environment Alliance hope that the bill will be passed, not only in order to limit climate change and global warming but also to reduce the health costs associated with air pollution.
“Our report has had a great response from energy ministers and health professionals who are increasingly aware that coal is costly for public health. The time is now ripe to bring the health facts and figures into national debates and cost assessments. Wednesday’s vote in the UK offers a unique opportunity to cash in huge health co-benefits,” says the Alliance's Executive Director, Genon Jensen.