Why End Coal

Health

Many thousands of Europeans are estimated to die early each year because of air pollution from coal power plants. Air pollution from these plants is linked with asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems and other severe health impacts

The burning of coal releases toxic heavy metals like mercury, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen particles into the air.  These pollutants spread across huge distances, across national borders, and children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with already compromised health suffer most.

The ten worst polluting coal companies in Europe are alone responsible for an estimated 7,600 premature deaths, 3,320 new cases of chronic bronchitis and 137,000 asthma symptom days in children. This leads to an estimated 5,820 hospital admissions and over two million lost working days. The earlier plants and mines are closed, the better the health outcome across Europe will be. See our Last Gasp report about how coal companies are responsible for poor health outcomes.