Toxic coal ash spews into air, water in North Carolina, a national disaster

Carol Forsloff----The environmental problems impacting various parts of the world are highlighted by people who call attention to them for public support that can create change.  In this case, the Sierra Club is asking for folks to recognize the serious environmental concerns in North Carolina where damage from closed coal tar plants contaminants are ruining the lakes and rivers, just as is occurring in other parts of the globe.

The Sierra Club reports that for the last six days toxic coal ash has been flowing significantly into North Carolina's Dan River.  They say it is "turning the water into "gray sludge" and leaving layers of toxic muck on the river banks."

How does this occur?   It is explained further in a press release from the Sierra Club as this:  "Ash from coal-burning power plants is full of toxic heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and lead -- that the coal companies then dump in pits and ponds, with no plan for safe disposal or cleanup. In fact, the coal plant that dumped this toxic waste in North Carolina isn't even operating anymore. They just left their toxic waste sitting by the side of the river -- because they could. "

The Sierra Club and other environmental groups are asking for the Environmental Protection Energy to take action to protect communities from the toxic waste that comes from coal companies, even those that have closed.  We are told there are 1,100 coal companies nationwide that are close to communities where the ash flies over in clouds around homes.  The EPA is said to be "sitting on a national safeguard that could have prevented this disaster and that would end open pits, the leaking ponds, and the abandoned toxic waste."  But there have been delays in putting any of these safeguards into action.

Other groups are referring to what is happening in North Carolina as a national disaster.  The National Resources Defense Council staff has expressed its concern about this by providing details about what has happened in this latest environmental calamity.  What they describe is the results that have come from an unlined coal ash impoundment  at the closed North Carolina power plant that broke and has spewed 82,000 tons of coal ash into the air and water.

The health consequences for the citizens of these regions where coal ash flies into the air from coal companies that also don't use safe disposal methods for waste products containing toxic metals and chemicals can be grave, according to research conducted by Earthjustice and Physicians for Social Responsibility.  The contaminants can cause cancer and lung problems as well as contributing to the atmosphere's overall problem of air pollution, with a growing number of health problems linked to this pollution as a result.

Coal companies exist in every state throughout the United States and other areas around the world, with the concern that the health of citizens is impacted by lack of regulations and community safeguards coupled with the irresponsibility of the coal companies that can create devastating health  consequences for people now and in the future.