Study shows many premature deaths in Europe are linked to coal emissions

A new study has found that around 22,300 premature deaths every year are caused by the air pollution created by 300 of Europe's largest coal power stations. According to the new study performed by Stuttgart University's Institute for Energy Economics, the air pollution from the power stations not only creates deaths that number in the tens-of-thousands, but also creates billions of pounds worth of costs for companies and governments.

Not only is the burning of coal for the generation of energy linked to climate change, the study says that the air pollution created by the burning of coal is also severely detrimental to people's health. The study also suggests that if the 50 new coal powered plants that are currently planned are built in Europe, it could lead to a further 2,700 premature deaths.

In Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Poland the emissions created by coal powered plants causes more deaths than road traffic accidents. Whilst in the UK and Germany the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents and emissions related to coal burning is almost equal. The researchers found, by analysing emissions, that around 5,000 premature deaths in Poland could be attributed to coal related emissions in 2010.

Around a dozen more coal-fired plants have been planned for Poland by utility companies and the government, despite the fact that Polish plants have the biggest health impact in comparison to any other plants throughout the entirety of Europe. The report has estimated that the plants with the worst health impacts belong to five different utility companies spread across six different European countries.

Health issues are caused by microscopic particulate pollution that is able to affect the lungs and get into the bloodstream. This type of pollution is mainly caused by the dust emissions, acid gas and soot created by the burning of coal. Microscopic particulate pollution has been linked to a variety of health issues including asthma, lung cancer and heart attacks and affects adults and children alike.