Coal, the world's most deadly power source.

It is said that the United States is the Saudi Arabia of coal.
That may be more of a curse than a blessing.

"In the United States, 23,600 deaths each year can be attributed
to air pollution from power plants. Those dying prematurely due
to exposure to particulate matter lose, on average, 14 years of
life. Burning coal also is responsible for some 554,000 asthma
attacks, 16,200 cases of chronic bronchitis, and 38,200 non-fatal
heart attacks each year. Atmospheric power plant pollution in the
United States racks up an estimated annual health care bill of
over $160 billion."

<http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/Update42.htm>

Ahhhh, we all know there death pours from the smokestacks of
coal fired power plants, but at least there is no radiation
danger. WRONG! As far as radiation goes coal is far more
]dangerous than nuclear plants.

"Americans living near coal-fired power plants are exposed to
higher radiation doses than those living near nuclear power
plants that meet government regulations. This ironic situation
remains true today and is addressed in this article."

And:
"Using these data, the releases of radioactive materials per
typical plant can be calculated for any year. For the year 1982,
assuming coal contains uranium and thorium concentrations of
1.3 ppm and 3.2 ppm, respectively, each typical plant released
5.2 tons of uranium (containing 74 pounds of uranium-235) and
12.8 tons of thorium that year. Total U.S. releases in 1982
(from 154 typical plants) amounted to 801 tons of uranium
(containing 11,371 pounds of uranium-235) and 1971 tons of
thorium. These figures account for only 74% of releases from
combustion of coal from all sources. Releases in 1982 from
worldwide combustion of 2800 million tons of coal totaled 3640
tons of uranium (containing 51,700 pounds of uranium-235) and
8960 tons of thorium."

<http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev26-34/text/colmain.html>