...
In fact, the fly ash emitted by a power plant—a by-product from burning coal for electricity—carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of energy. * [See Editor's Note at bottom]

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coal-ash-is-more-radioactive-than-nuclear-waste/

By Claire Moore | June 6, 2019

When coal burns at power plants, it produces residual waste, or coal ash, including a fine silicon powder called fly ash. A 2015 Duke University-led study found radioactive contaminants, such as byproducts of uranium and thorium, can be highly concentrated in this ash.

Radioactive particles were detected in groundwater surrounding Muskingum River Power Plant in Beverly, Ohio. The American Electric Power plant closed in May 2015 after a plan to switch plant operations to natural gas fell through. Rising costs and the passing of environmental regulations were listed as the cause of the closure.

A 2019 report from the Environmental Integrity Project found radium, a radioactive element found in coal, had contaminated groundwater above safe levels at four of the ten monitored coal plants in Ohio. A total of 48 sites across the country had radium-contaminated groundwater.

https://greatlakesecho.org/2019/06/06/burning-coal-can-concentrate-radioactive-p
articles/

random wrote on Jun 6^th, 2022 at 6:48pm:



That's not new. Tell us just how much radiation it is. Compared to marble or granite.

Bobby. wrote on Jun 6^th, 2022 at 6:54pm:


12 July 2021
The radioactive particles settle in smokers' lungs, where they build up as long as the person smokes. Over time, the radiation can damage the lungs and can contribute to lung cancer. Using tobacco products can also make users more vulnerable to other cancer-causing contaminants.

random wrote on Jun 6^th, 2022 at 6:57pm:


Wow. Gone from coal ash to the remnants of bomb testing without blinking an eye.

– and the waste contributes far more radiation to the environment than nuclear power stations. The radioactivity comes from the trace amounts of uranium and thorium contained in coal. These elements have been trapped in the Earth’s crust since its formation and are usually in concentrations too low to pose any serious threat. But the burning of coal produces fly ash, a material in which the uranium and thorium are much more concentrated.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/do-coal-fired-power-stations-produce-radioactive-waste/

lee wrote on Jun 6^th, 2022 at 7:34pm:


Not sure you have noticed, but the last time I checked no one burns granite to make electricity.  You might in you BBQ though.

Wait for it.  I will say in slowly so you will find it harder to continue to act dumb ...

"These elements have been trapped in the Earth’s crust since its formation and are usually in concentrations too low to pose any serious threat.

But the burning of coal produces fly ash, a material in which the uranium and thorium are much more concentrated

."

I won again!