How coal extraction and processing threaten the most basic elements of healthy, livable communities
Water, air, and public health are inseparable- and in coalfield communities, they have been placed at risk for generations. Coal mining, processing, transport, and waste disposal all leave a legacy of contamination, degraded ecosystems, and preventable health burdens. While many of these harms remain invisible to outsiders, coalfield residents live with them every day.
Citizens Coal Council works to uncover these impacts, elevate community science, and push for stronger protections so that every person in coal country can access clean water, breathable air, and a safe environment for their families.
A Legacy of Water Contamination
Coal operations affect water at every stage of the mining cycle. From acid mine drainage to contamination of drinking water supplies, the result is often long-lasting damage that can persist long after mining stops.
1. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)
When sulfide-rich rock is exposed to air and water, it produces sulfuric acid that leaches heavy metals like iron, aluminum, and manganese into streams, rivers, and groundwater.
Effects include:
- Orange-stained streams clogged with metal sludge
- Loss of aquatic life due to extreme acidity
- Unsafe drinking water in rural homes relying on wells
- Decades to centuries of cleanup needs
Once AMD begins, it can pollute waterways for generations, long after coal companies have walked away.
2. Mine-Related Water Loss and Contamination
Mining fractures the geology that holds groundwater in place. The result:
- Wells that go dry or turn cloudy
- Sulfate- and metal-laden water
- Household water systems damaged by coal-related subsidence
- Stream disappearance where entire waterways are drained underground
These impacts are common in longwall mining regions of Pennsylvania, but identical problems occur in West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Colorado.
3. Coal Ash & Industrial Waste
Coal-fired power plants produce coal ash- one of the largest industrial waste streams in the country. Stored in unlined ponds or landfills, coal ash contains arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium, and other toxic metals.
Risks include:
- Leachate contaminating rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater
- Airborne ash blowing into nearby homes
- Cancer risks from long-term exposure
- Catastrophic pond failures, like Kingston (2008) and Eden NC (2014)
CCC advocates for strict regulation of coal ash and accountability for cleanup and monitoring.
Air Pollution: The Often Unseen Threat
Coal affects air quality at multiple points: mine ventilation shafts, processing facilities, coal trucks and trains, and power plant emissions. Even after market decline, coal remains a significant contributor to air pollution in coalfield communities.
1. Dust and Particulate Matter from Mining
Blasting, hauling, and coal preparation produce airborne dust containing silica, metals, and fine particulates linked to:
- Asthma and respiratory distress
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Premature death
Residents living near mining operations often report dust settling on windowsills, gardens, porches, and inside their homes.
2. Methane & Mine Gas Emissions
Methane contributes heavily to climate change. Longwall mines also release:
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Coal dust
These emissions are routinely under-monitored and under-regulated.
3. Coal Transport & Processing Pollution
Coal handling and transport generate:
- Diesel emissions from trucks and trains
- Coal dust from uncovered rail cars
- VOCs from processing plants
These exposures disproportionately affect low-income communities already facing cumulative environmental burdens.
Public Health in Coalfield Communities
Coalfield residents face disproportionate health risks because of long-term exposure to multiple pollutants. Numerous studies have identified links between coal activity and negative health outcomes.
Documented Public Health Impacts
- Higher rates of asthma, COPD, and other chronic lung diseases
- Elevated levels of heart disease in coal regions
- Increased low birthweight and infant mortality in communities near mining
- Higher incidence of certain cancers associated with pollutant exposure
- Mental health impacts, including stress, trauma, and chronic anxiety related to environmental harm
People living in areas with heavy coal activity experience cardiovascular disease at rates significantly higher than comparable populations elsewhere.
Environmental Justice at the Core
The harms of water pollution, air contamination, and poor regulatory oversight fall most heavily on communities that have already been economically marginalized. Many coalfield residents lack access to municipal water systems, reliable health care, or financial resources to relocate or fight polluters.
CCC emphasizes that public health is an environmental justice issue: clean air and clean water are not privileges, they are rights.
Where Regulators Fall Short
Across many coal states, regulatory agencies struggle with:
- Outdated monitoring requirements
- Insufficient inspections
- Industry-friendly interpretations of the law
- Failure to enforce cleanup or compensation
- Self-reported pollution data that goes unverified
CCC’s Work on Water, Air & Public Health
Citizens Coal Council uses research, policy advocacy, and community partnerships to hold the industry and regulators accountable. Our work includes:
Monitoring & Investigation
- Tracking water contamination and household well failures
- Analyzing air emissions, dust, and methane data
- Reviewing enforcement records and agency actions
Community Advocacy
- Supporting residents during water loss, contamination, or exposure
- Providing resources for documentation and reporting
- Ensuring public participation in permitting and regulatory processes
Policy & Legal Action
- Challenging inadequate mining permits
- Pressing for comprehensive monitoring of methane and mine pollution
- Advocating for stronger coal ash and waste regulations
- Pushing for accountability from state and federal agencies
A Path Toward Healthier Coalfield Communities
Protecting water, air, and public health isn’t about opposing miners, it’s about advocating for the families, workers, and communities who deserve safety, dignity, and a healthy future.
The legacy of coal does not have to define the future of coalfield communities. With strong oversight, community involvement, and transparent decision-making, we can ensure that every person has access to clean water and clean air, now and for generations to come.