Death, Disease, & Dirty Power, September, 2000
Fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants cuts short the lives of over 30,000 people each year, according to an analysis by Abt Associates prepared for the Clean Air Task Force.
This analysis by Abt Associates used EPA-approved emissions and air quality modeling techniques to forecast ambient air quality in 2007, assuming full implementation of the Clean Air Act’s acid rain control program, and the EPA’s 1999 “NOx State Implementation Plan (SIP) call.” Analysts then applied risk functions derived from epidemiological studies to estimate health impacts of power plant emissions in the U.S. The focus of the study was on gaseous emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that are converted in the atmosphere to fine particle sulfates and nitrates.
The analysis estimated that 30,100 deaths may be attributed to power plant emissions each year. In addition, power plant emissions causes 20,100 hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular causes, more than 7,000 asthma-related emergency room visits, 18,600 cases of chronic bronchitis, 600,000 asthma attacks, over 5 million lost work days, and over 26 million minor restricted activity days. Reductions in emissions from uncontrolled power plants could substantially reduce the adverse health effects.
In addition, analysis used a simpler model to estimate the impacts of emissions from on- and off-road diesel engines.
The analysis reported that 15,400 premature deaths each year are attributable to the diesel contribution to fine particle concentrations. In addition, there are an estimated 11,100 cases of chronic bronchitis due to diesel emissions, thousands of hospitalizations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, asthma, and cardiovascular causes, and over a million cases of minor illness such as acute bronchitis, upper and lower respiratory symptoms, and asthma attacks. Because of the use of different models, these results are not directly comparable to the power plant estimates.
Clear the Air [www.cleartheair.org] offers the September 2000 report summary online.
They also offer online “Abt Associates, Inc. with ICF Consulting, and E.H. Pechan Associates, Inc. Prepared for Clean Air Task Force. The Particulate-Related Health Benefits of Reducing Power Plant Emissions. October 2000,” the full report.
