Title: Radioactive contaminants found in coal ash
Author: Duke University
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150902111835.html
Date: September 2, 2015
Summary:
A Duke University studies found radioactive contaminants in coal ash from 3 major US coal-producing basins.This is concerning because the level of radioactivity in the ashes is 5-8 times than in normal soil and parent coal. This cause many concerns to human health risks and environmental problems because of the coal ash.
Selenium and arsenic was some of the concerns in coal ash but Professor Avner Vengosh states that, "This study raises the possibility we should also be looking for radioactive elements, such as radium isotopes and lead-210, and including them in our monitoring efforts." Radium isotopes and lead-210 will occur naturally in coal for a chemical by product of uranium and thorium content. This may be a hazard if effluents released into ponds or landfills.
Reflection:
I chose this article because it sounded very interesting because we use coal for a lot of things. For example, as an energy source for heat and electricity, and for making steel. I thought it was interesting because coal ash is bad for us already but saying it has radioactive elements in it makes it way worse. This can cause many health risks like cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems.Also creating environmental problems like poisoning our water and killing wildlife and fishes.
Author: Duke University
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150902111835.html
Date: September 2, 2015
Summary:
A Duke University studies found radioactive contaminants in coal ash from 3 major US coal-producing basins.This is concerning because the level of radioactivity in the ashes is 5-8 times than in normal soil and parent coal. This cause many concerns to human health risks and environmental problems because of the coal ash.
Selenium and arsenic was some of the concerns in coal ash but Professor Avner Vengosh states that, "This study raises the possibility we should also be looking for radioactive elements, such as radium isotopes and lead-210, and including them in our monitoring efforts." Radium isotopes and lead-210 will occur naturally in coal for a chemical by product of uranium and thorium content. This may be a hazard if effluents released into ponds or landfills.
Reflection:
I chose this article because it sounded very interesting because we use coal for a lot of things. For example, as an energy source for heat and electricity, and for making steel. I thought it was interesting because coal ash is bad for us already but saying it has radioactive elements in it makes it way worse. This can cause many health risks like cancer, developmental disorders and reproductive problems.Also creating environmental problems like poisoning our water and killing wildlife and fishes.