Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:

• Coal itself isn’t a particularly toxic material.
• But after it’s burned for domestic or commercial purposes it produces ash.
• Ash includes lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and selenium, etc.
  • All in levels that may threaten human health.
• Thermal power plants produce large amounts of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
  • The pollutants that cause acid rain—when they burn fossil fuels, especially coal, to produce energy.
• India’s domestic coal reserves have a high ash content of up to 40 to 45 percent.