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Coal Ash

AMERICAN INDUSTRY PRODUCES ONE HUNDRED MILLION TONS OF COAL COMBUSTION BYPRODUCTS A YEAR.  HEAR HOW SOME OF THIS DISCARDED REFUSE IS GETTING NEW LIFE ON THIS ENVIRONMINUTE.

TOM ROBL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SAYS COAL ASH – MUCH OF WHICH CURRENTLY ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS – CAN BE PUT TO GOOD USE STRENGTHENING BUILDING MATERIALS IN A FORM OF INDUSTRIAL RECYCLING.

WHILE SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LABEL COAL ASH A HAZARD, BOTH ROBL AND THE E-P-A BELIEVE THAT IF HANDLED PROPERLY, IT CAN BE OF GREAT SERVICE.  ROBL ALSO SAYS BENEFICIATION – PROCESSES THAT MAKE IT MORE USEABLE AND THEREFORE MORE MARKETABLE – CAN HELP INCREASE THE USE OF COAL ASH IN CONSTRUCTION, SO IT STAYS OUT OF LANDFILLS.

ROBL "YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS MORE SUSTAINABLE FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT, SAVES ENERGY AND ALSO PRODUCES THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS."

For more information about coal ash, please visit the EPA site.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org