Bunnell, Joseph E., et al. "Navajo Coal Combustion And Respiratory Health Near Shiprock, New Mexico." Journal Of Environmental & Public Health (2010): 1-14. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Epstein, Paul R., et al. "Full Cost Accounting For The Life Cycle Of Coal." Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 1219.1 (2011): 73-98. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Khillare, P.S., Darpa Saurav Jyethi, and Sayantan Sarkar. "Health Risk Assessment Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And Heavy Metals Via Dietary Intake Of Vegetables Grown In The Vicinity Of Thermal Power Plants." Food & Chemical Toxicology 50.5 (2012): 1642-1652. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Okeson, Carl D., et al. "Impact Of The Composition Of Combustion Generated Fine Particles On Epithelial Cell Toxicity: Influences Of Metals On Metabolism." Chemosphere 51.10 (2003): 1121. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

"Coal combustion waste (CCW) contains multiple pollutants known to cause: cancer, birth defects, reproductive disorders, neurological damage, learning disabilities, kidney disease, and diabetes."

-Epstein, Paul R., et al. "Full Cost Accounting For The Life Cycle Of Coal." Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 1219.1 (2011): 73-98. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

"Inhaled airborne particulate matter (PM) generated from coal combustion can diminish lung cell metabolism by 20%."

-Okeson, Carl D., et al. "Impact Of The Composition Of Combustion Generated Fine Particles On Epithelial Cell Toxicity: Influences Of Metals On Metabolism." Chemosphere 51.10 (2003): 1121. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

"Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessments indicate that up to 58 excess cases are likely in thermal power plant areas as a result of ingestion exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)."

-Khillare, P.S., Darpa Saurav Jyethi, and Sayantan Sarkar. "Health Risk Assessment Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And Heavy Metals Via Dietary Intake Of Vegetables Grown In The Vicinity Of Thermal Power Plants." Food & Chemical Toxicology 50.5 (2012): 1642-1652. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

"Particulate matter can cause respiratory problems such as bronchitis, reduce lung function, cause breathing difficulties, aggravate asthma and heart disease, and increase the chance of heart attack and stroke. Particulate matter causes thousands of premature deaths every year."

-"Dirty Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health: Moving Beyond Coal-Based Energy." National Resources Defense Council, 2007. nrpd.org/policy

"Heavy metals – This includes metals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc. These metals can cause a number of health problems, including cancer, nervous system and brain damage, kidney and liver damage, and learning and behavioral problems in children."

-"Dirty Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health: Moving Beyond Coal-Based Energy." National Resources Defense Council, 2007. nrpd.org/policy

Respiratory diseases/conditions common to coal-fired power plant communities include: asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coughing, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection, and wheezing.

-Bunnell, Joseph E., et al. "Navajo Coal Combustion And Respiratory Health Near Shiprock, New Mexico." Journal Of Environmental & Public Health (2010): 1-14. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

"Studies in New England find that, although
populations within a 30-mile radius of coal-fired
power plants make up a small contribution to aggregate respiratory illness, on a per capita basis, the impacts on those nearby populations are two to five times greater than those living at a distance. Data in Kentucky suggest similar zones of high impact."

-Epstein, Paul R., et al. "Full Cost Accounting For The Life Cycle Of Coal." Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 1219.1 (2011): 73-98. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Pollutants produced by coal combustion can lead to cardiovascular disease, such as artery blockages leading to heart attacks, and tissue death and heart damage due to oxygen deprivation. It is estimated that soot pollution from power plants contributes to 38,200 non-fatal heart attacks each year.

Alan Lockwood, Kristen Welker-Hood, Molly Rauch, Barbara Gottlieb,"Coal's Assault on Human Health" Physicians for Social Responsibility Report, November 2009

Low Birth Weight and increased risk of infant death are direct health impacts of SO2 ("coal power is responsible for much of the U.S. power
generation-related emissions of...SO2 (85%)")

-Epstein, Paul R., et al. "Full Cost Accounting For The Life Cycle Of Coal." Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 1219.1 (2011): 73-98. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Ozone's health effects "may be related to premature birth, cardia birth defects, low birth weight, and stunted limb growth."

-Alan Lockwood, Kristen Welker-Hood, Molly Rauch, Barbara Gottlieb,"Coal's Assault on Human Health" Physicians for Social Responsibility Report, November 2009

Changes in global climates associated with the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can create conditions that threaten
human health directly and indirectly;
~"Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which often leads to death."
-"Extreme-weather events and changing patterns of precipitation increase mortality from drowning."
~"Flooding and infrastructure damage, along with temperature rise, increase the prevalence of insect- and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, malaria,and dengue fever."

-Alan Lockwood, Kristen Welker-Hood, Molly Rauch, Barbara Gottlieb,"Coal's Assault on Human Health" Physicians for Social Responsibility Report, November 2009

Practice energy efficiency at home. Using energy-efficient appliances (Energy Star rated), weatherizing your home, and reducing the waste of energy around the home with programmable thermostats and compact fluorescent light bulbs will save energy and money.
-Ask your utility regulators to support the use of renewable energy sources and to adopt aggressive energy efficiency and conservation programs.
-Contact your state environmental agency if there are plans to build a coal-fired plant in your area. Companies must apply for permits to build new power plants in the state. The environmental agency must open a public comment period on these applications and may hold public hearings to give the public an opportunity to voice their opinion about the project.
-Contact your utility regulatory agency (public service commission or public utility commission). In many states, new coal plants must first obtain approval from the public utility commission, which may provide for a public hearing in which the public can participate. Additionally, existing plants may need to demonstrate periodically that they are taking appropriate action to pursue energy efficiency and renewable energy sources

-"Dirty Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health: Moving Beyond Coal-Based Energy." National Resources Defense Council, 2007. nrpd.org/policy