Ambient PM_2.5 and Related Health Impacts of Spontaneous Combustion of Coal and Coal Gangue

Abstract

Coal and coal gangue spontaneous combustion (CGSC) occurs globally, causing significant environmental pollution. However, its emissions are poorly quantified and are overlooked in global or regional air pollutant emission inventories in previous studies, resulting in the underestimation of its impacts on climate, environment, and public health. This study quantified the emissions of various air pollutants originating from CGSC in Wuhai, a city in China, investigated emission characteristics, and estimated the contribution of CGSC emissions to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air pollution and related health impacts on a regional scale. The results revealed that the CGSC-related PM 2.5 emissions were approximately 4643 t a −1 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 721; 10447), accounting for 26.3% of the total PM 2.5 emissions. Alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics accounted for 69.4, 17.9, and 2.9%, respectively, of the total emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Due to CGSC emissions, the ambient PM 2.5 concentration in Wuhai increased by 5.7 μg m −3 on average, while the nitrate concentration decreased. The number of premature deaths caused by exposure to ambient PM 2.5 associated with CGSC reached 381 (95% CI: 290; 452) in Wuhai and surrounding cities in 2017. Urgent control strategies and engineering techniques are needed to mitigate CGSC to protect public health.

Research on Temporal and Spatial Resolution and the Driving Forces of Ecological Environment Quality in Coal Mining Areas Considering Topographic Correction

“…In addition, as the solid waste attached to coal production, more than 6 billion tons of coal gangue have accumulated, and this is increasing at a rate of 795 million tons per year, but the comprehensive utilization rate is lower than 30% [8]. The accumulation of coal gangue not only occupies a large amount of land but is also prone to raising dust and spontaneous combustion, and even causes geological disasters, therefore endangering the ecological safety of the mining area and human health [9]. Particularly in the Loess Plateau, where coal reserves are abundant but the ecological environment is fragile, the above ecological environmental problems are more prominent [10,11].…”

Effect of the Coal Preparation Process on Mercury Flows and Emissions in Coal Combustion Systems

“…Spontaneous combustion of coal gangue caused the largest second Hg emissions based on our results. Nevertheless, the spontaneous combustion ratio of discarded coal gangue and its Hg emission factor are still limited according to existing studies. , In the future, the occurrence probabilities of the spontaneous combustion of coal gangue can be quantified by remote sensing to reduce the uncertainty of activity levels . Besides, more field tests or laboratory research should be conducted to determine the Hg emission factors of coal gangue spontaneous combustions.…”

“…43,44 In the future, the occurrence probabilities of the spontaneous combustion of coal gangue can be quantified by remote sensing to reduce the uncertainty of activity levels. 60…”

Self-Combustion–Depolymerization Approach to Activate Solid-Waste Coal Gangue Minerals for Fluid Catalytic Cracking Catalyst Synthesis

“…Due to its low calorific value, coal gangue is usually discarded on-site, leading to the occupation of large land areas and the waste of natural mineral resources. Moreover, coal gangue spontaneous combustion (CGSC) emits large amounts of particulate matter, acid gas, organic compounds, and greenhouse gases, which poses a great threat to public health and environmental safety . Over the past few decades, much effort has been devoted to the utilization of coal gangue, mainly focusing on land filling, building material production, energy industry, and agriculture .…”