Mercury:
Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury pollution in the country. When coal is burned to generate electricity, mercury in the coal is released into the atmosphere. Eventually the mercury falls to the earth in the form of rain and snow, which enters streams, lakes, oceans and reservoirs, contaminating many of the fish we eat.

In children and infants, even small amounts of mercury can affect learning ability, language and motor skills. At elevated levels, it can cause permanent brain damage. In adults, mercury can damage the nervous, cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems.

Soot: Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrous Oxides:
Another by-product of coal plants is sulfur dioxide. When we inhale sulfate particles – which can reach people living within 30 miles of a coal plant – they can cause respiratory disease.

Fine particles cause big concern because they are so tiny and are inhaled so deeply, that they often evade the human lungs' natural defenses. And, children are at the biggest risk for pollution from fine particles, since they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults.

The Environmental Protection Agency admits that fine particle pollution from power plants trigger hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks every year and contribute to tens of thousands of premature deaths from cardiac disease and lung cancer. New research estimates that as many as 30,000 people die prematurely each year because of exposure to fine particles from power plants – far exceeding the U.S. annual death toll caused by drunk driving (16,000) and homicides (17,000), commonly understood to be major public policy priorities.

Arsenic:
Arsenic is an especially poisonous by-product of many coal plants. It’s a known carcinogen that does not leave a person’s body once entering, which means that even small exposures can add up over time. In addition to leading to various types of cancer, long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to major organ damage – including lung dysfunction, cirrhosis of the liver, reproductive problems, and death from multiple organ failure.

Lead:
Lead is another dangerous pollutant from coal plants with many well-documented health affects. Exposure to lead can cause blood disorders and brain and nerve damage.

Ammonia:
Coal plants typically use large amounts of ammonia in production, and its transport can pose further health risks to the communities along transport routes. Ammonia, in high concentrations, has been linked to neurological diseases and liver dysfunction and cirrhosis.