Transcript 18. Impacts of Mineral Resource Extraction: The Effects of Coal and Asbestos Residues on Human Health Created by: Kacey McCallister ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION HEALTH CONCERNS AND.

18. Impacts of Mineral Resource Extraction: The Effects of
Coal and Asbestos Residues on Human Health
Created by: Kacey McCallister
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
HEALTH CONCERNS AND EFFECTS
Coal and fibrous minerals
have many adverse health
effects in those individuals that
encounter
them
through
mining, industrial processing,
or domestic use. Certain coals
that are found in China are
used to dry crops such as corn
and peppers, as well as in
cooking. Unfortunately, the
coal that is available in that
region contains high amounts
of arsenic and fluoride.
Exposure leads to many
health issues such as decay of
the teeth, bowed and crippled
limbs, and scaly skin. Another
mineral resource with direct
and harmful side effects is
asbestos. Asbestos minerals
tend towards a fibrous habit
that is very dangerous to the
body because of their ability to
enter into the lungs and alter
cell function. Those afflicted
with
respiratory
illnesses
slowly find it harder to breath
because of tissue hardening
over
time.
This
paper
examines the effects of
mineral resource extraction
and the effects of the
environment on human health
The coal that we have here in the United States
has different properties and internal components
than the kind we find in China. In America, we
find the greatest problems from coal come in the
mining process (Figure 1).
Figure1 Coal mining
In other places, the danger comes not from the
mining of the coal, but from the content that is
released from burning of the coal for drying of
crops. Causing problems, not only for the
people using the dried products, but also for
future generations. Other minerals that are
known for their destructive nature to the human
body through means of breathing is asbestos.
This is mainly found in those who mine the
mineral, but there is also potential risk to those
exposed to it through consumer channels.
Inhaled
Black Lung Diseases (Figure2)
-From mining coal
-Blackens lungs like that of a smoker
Asbestosis
-Due to close everyday contact (mining/production)
-Shortness of breath/gradual hardening of the lungs
Mesoteliomas (Figure3)
-Due to everyday exposure
-Cancer due to asbestos
Consumed
Arsenic poisoning (Figure4)
-Due to drying crops with coal
Figure 2 Black Lung Disease
-Symptoms range from vomiting, diarrhea, and
headaches, to kidney, liver and lung problems, as well
as sever skin disease
Fluoride poisoning (Figure5)
-Due to pregnant mothers consuming crops dried with
coal
-Severe bone and teeth abnormalities
Figure 4 Hyperkeretosis from arsenic poisoning
CASE STUDY
In the Guizhou providence in China, it is common to dry crops over an open coal fire. The coal that is used is
high in arsenic and fluoride. For example, fresh chili peppers have less than 1 part per million (ppm) of arsenic.
Whereas, when it is dried over the high arsenic coal it can have as much as 500 ppm arsenic. This causes
severe hyperkeretosis (Figure 4) which is a severe decaying of the skin. Problems from arsenic pale when
compared with the medical problems associated with fluoride. More than 10 million people in the Guizhou
Providence and surrounding areas suffer from various forms of fluorosis and coal combustion. Typical signs of
fluorosis include mottling of tooth enamel, osteosclerosis, limited movement of the joints, and outward
manifestations such as knock-knees, bowlegs, and spinal curvature (Figure 5).
GEOLOGIC PROCESS
Coal is generated from the compacting and condensing of organic matter. Most of it comes from swamp
material that has been compacted over many years. Eventually, with layer upon layer, the biomass builds until
it eventually begins to compact down. This process also requires heat and most importantly time (Figure 6).
Asbestos is created through the same process as other crystals go through (Figure 7). Slowly growing inside
other types of rocks. Commonly found in three rock types: serpentinites, altered ultramafic rocks, and some
mafic rocks. Other factors in the growing and formation of the mineral is faulting and fracturing of the host
rock. The deposits can be anywhere from small vein like deposits, to areas that can be successfully mined
(Figure 8).
CONTACT
Figure 3 Asbestos exposed lung
Figure 5 Deformation due to fluoride
SO WHAT
1. Coal is a useful fuel for many of the world’s
population. Yet, there are many concerns that
arise in the production and use of this fossilized
plant matter.
2. Asbestos is a very useful building material
because of it’s resistance to heat. Even though
it is so useful it has very harmful health effects.
This is because of the extremely long and thin
construction of the crystals, which allows for
easy entry into the lungs. (Figure 7).
REFERENCES
Name: Kacey McCallister
Major: Intergraded Science Ed.
Email: [email protected]
Figure 6 Formation of coal
Figure 7 Crystalline of Asbestos
Figure 8 Commercial product Of Asbestos
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