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The article discusses the need for the U.S. Federal Government to recognize coal ash as a hazardous waste considering its adverse affects on public health and environment. It informs that coal ash waste poses health risks to human as it consists of carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium. It analyzes different coal ash regulations enforced to restrict the hazards of coal ash.

The effect of flux on the melting characteristics of coal ash from the Liu-qiao No. 2 Coal Mine in north Anhui province (AQ) was investigated. The change of the compositions of mineral under various temperatures with the atmosphere of N2 and H2 mixture before and after adding flux into AQ was analyzed by infrared ray. Results show that mullite formed over 1000°C has an effect on increasing the ash fusion temperature of coal, and this is the major reason that leads to a high ash fusion temperature of AQ. The coal ash fusion temperature was obviously reduced by adding calcium-based flux, magnesium-based flux, and ferrum-based flux, respectively. While the added mass amount of calcium-based flux is 6.2% (coal as reference), or the added mass amount of magnesium-based flux is 2.8%, the ash fusion temperature of AQ could be reduced to below 1350°C to meet the requirements of the shell gasifier slag-tapping process. The low temperature eutectic mixtures are easily formed between flux with aluminium silicate minerals under high temperatures, which will remarkably decrease the coal ash fusion temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Anthropogenic coal fly ash (FA) aerosol may represent a significant source of bioavailable iron in the open ocean. Few measurements have been made that compare the solubility of atmospheric iron from anthropogenic aerosols and other sources. We report here an investigation of iron dissolution for three FA samples in acidic aqueous solutions and compare the solubilities with that of Arizona test dust (AZTD), a reference material for mineral dust. The effects of pH, simulated cloud processing, and solar radiation on iron solubility have been explored. Similar to previously reported results on mineral dust, iron in aluminosilicate phases provides the predominant component of dissolved iron. Iron solubility of FA is substantially higher than of the crystalline minerals comprising AZTD. Simulated atmospheric processing elevates iron solubility due to significant changes in the morphology of aluminosilicate glass, a dominant material in FA particles. Iron is continuously released into the aqueous solution as FA particles break up into smaller fragments. These results suggest that the assessment of dissolved atmospheric iron deposition fluxes and their effect on the biogeochemistry at the ocean surface should be constrained by the source, environmental pH, iron speciation, and solar radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal fly ash (CFA) is a significant environmental pollutant that presents a respiratory hazard when airborne. Although previous studies have identified the mineral components of CFA, there is a paucity of information on the structural habits of these minerals. Samples from UK, Polish and Chinese power stations were studied to further our understanding of the factors that affect CFA geochemistry and mineralogy. ICP-MS, FE-SEM/EDX, XRD, and laser diffraction were used to study physicochemical characteristics. Analysis revealed important differences in the elemental compositions and particle size distributions of samples between sites. Microscopy of HF acid-etched CFA revealed the mullite present possesses a fibrous habit; fibres ranged in length between 1 and 10 μm. Respirable particles (<10 μm) were frequently observed to contain fibrous mullite. We propose that the biopersistence of these refractory fibres in the lung environment could be contributing towards chronic lung diseases seen in communities and individuals continually exposed to high levels of CFA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There are much coal with low content of volatile matter (Vad < 20%). high content of ash (Aad > 50%), low heating caloric (~10,000 kJ/kg) in China. It is very important to study pyrolysis performance of the coal to ensure high efficiency of utilization and low pollution emissions. In this paper, we study the pyrolysis reaction details of different types of this coal from different regions of China under different pyrolysis pressures, temperatures, particle sizes, and heating rates by thermo-gravimetry (TG) method. The pyrolysis characteristic temperatures and the characteristic index of volatilization matter released of coal gangue (CG) are obtained in this work. In addition, the detailed process of mechanism and kinetic parameters of pyrolysis are presented. The results show that many factors have an obvious influence on the pyrolysis reaction of the coal. The pyrolysis process of the coal is comprised of two stages. At the primary stage(t < 560 °C), the pyrolysis reaction is dominated by the diffusion rate of volatile matter because of the high ash content, which is the global symmetry diffusion mechanism, and the volatile matter of this stage is more difficult to come out and a high pyrolysis activation energy is observed. With increasing pyrolysis temperature, the pyrolysis reaction is moving into diffusion limitation, the volatile matter is released plentifully and the low activation energy is found. At the second stage (t > 560 °C), the pyrolysis reaction is governed by the tar-released reaction and the pyrolysis reaction order is 1.5. The high activation energy is also observed for the second stage pyrolysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic scale chemical environments of boron in coal has been studied by solid state NMR spectroscopy including magic angle spinning (MAS), satellite transition magic angle spinning (STMAS), and cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS). The 11B NMR spectra can be briefly classified according to the degree of coalification. On the 11B NMR spectra of lignite, bituminous, and sub-bituminous coals (carbon content of 70-90mass%), three sites assigned to four-coordinate boron (4)B with small quadrupolar coupling constants (≤0.9 MHz) are observed. Two of the (4)B sites in downfield are considered organoboron complexes with aromatic ligands, while the other in the most upper field is considered inorganic tetragonal boron (BO4). By contrast on the 11B NMR spectra of blind coal (carbon content of 70-90mass%), the [4]B which substitutes tetrahedral silicon of lllite is observed as a representative species. It has been considered that the organoboron is decomposed and released from the parent phase with the advance of coal maturation, and then the released boron reacts with the inorganic phase to substitute an element of inorganic minerals. Otherwise boron contained originally in inorganic minerals might remain preserved even under the high temperature condition that is generated during coalification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, unburnt coal (UC) in bottom ash from coal-fired power plants was soaked in KOH solution and activated for 1 h at 780 °C. The yield of activated carbons varied from 47.8 to 54.8% when the KOH/UC weight ratio changed from 2 to 4. Pore properties of these activated carbons including the BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and pore diameter were characterized based on N2 adsorption isotherms. It was shown that the isotherms for the adsorption of methylene blue, acid blue 74, and 4-chlorophenol from aqueous solutions on these activated carbons at 30 °C were well fitted by the Langmuir equation (correlation coefficient r 2 > 0.9968). The adsorption capacities of methylene blue, acid blue 74, and 4-chlorophenol were obtained to be 2.40–2.88, 0.57–1.29, and 2.34–5.62 mmol/g, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics could be suitably described by the Elovich equation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the proposed way to develop synthetic aggregates (SA) through recycling coal fly ash (CFA) and paper waste (PW) as a granular nitrogen fertilizer for low productive red soil in Okinawa, Japan. This study involves the production of 3 types of ammonium sulfate (AS) with 3 different nitrogen (N) percentages along with the comparison of SA with acidic red soil. It concludes that using SA can improve crop production of acidic red soil due to its properties like low bulk density.

An investigation of the potential environmental and health impacts in the immediate aftermath of one of the largest coal ash spills in U.S. history at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston coal-burning power plant has revealed three major findings. First, the surface release of coal ash with high levels of toxic elements (As = 75 mg/kg; Hg = 150 μg/kg) and radioactivity (226Ra + 228Ra = 8 pCi/g) to the environment has the potential to generate resuspended ambient fine particles (<10 μm) containing these toxics into the atmosphere that may pose a health risk to local communities. Second, leaching of contaminants from the coal ash caused contamination of surface waters in areas of restricted water exchange, but only trace levels were found in the downstream Emory and - Clinch Rivers due to river dilution. Third, the accumulation of Hg- and As-rich coal ash in river sediments has the potential to have an impact on the ecological system in the downstream rivers by fish poisoning and methylmercury formation in anaerobic river sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coal energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) represents both a significant economic hope and a considerable environmental threat for the country. One of the major problems of the coal industry is the disposal of large amounts of coal combustion residues. RECOAL was an EU-supported project (2005-7) whose objective was to develop remediation solutions for coal ash disposal (CAD) sites in BiH. Most of RECOAL's environmental fieldwork was based around TEP in the municipality of Tuzla, one of the biggest thermo-electric power plants in the country. Qualitative research was carried out to understand the environmental governance structure of the area and inform and test the acceptance of different remediation solutions proposed by RECOAL. Interviews with institutional stakeholders showed a highly complex institutional structure, where government institutions and industry are involved in complicated negotiations about the distribution of the liabilities resulting from TEP's pollution. Interviews among local residents show that locally organised action could help steer the policy-making process towards more sustainable solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the abatement of indoor pollution achieved when two types of coal–biomass briquettes (L-BBs and H-BBs) were used in place of honeycombed coal briquettes (H-coal) in household stoves in rural Chongqing, China. Indoor concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and gaseous fluoride were measured. Additionally, we evaluated the factors that affected indoor concentrations of these gases, including the amount of fuel used as well as its sulfur content, the sulfur-emission ratio determined from the amount of sulfur retained in the combustion ash, and the combustion temperature in the stoves. The average 8-h and 24-h SO2 concentrations for L-BBs were nearly equal to or less than the World Health Organization''s 40ppb guideline, whereas those for H-coal and H-BBs exceeded the guideline. The average 8-h SO2 concentrations for L-BBs were from 63 to 89% lower than those for H-coal, even though the 8-h average weight of fuel and its sulfur content for L-BBs were equal to those of H-coal. A chemical analysis of combustion ash indicated that the sulfur-emission ratio was from 26 to 48% for L-BBs, as compared with 86% for H-coal, and this difference resulted in reduction of indoor SO2 concentrations for L-BBs as compared with H-coal. Most of the 8-h average concentrations of CO and gaseous fluoride for all fuels were lower than the WHO guidelines. We concluded that BBs are a useful domestic fuel for the abatement of indoor air pollution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the use of solvents to remove coal ash and generate a clean form of coal. The presence of nanoscale titanium compounds, including titanium dioxide, in this clean coal is noted as a concern because of its negative environmental impact. The Argonne premium coal samples (APCS) Illinois No. 6 (IL) bituminous coal and wyodak-anderson (WY) subbituminous coal are used in this research. The effects of acetic and sulphuric acids as solvents for coal are discussed. The different qualities of titanium compounds in different types of coal are described. The levels of titanium speciation found in these coals is discussed.

Glass, glass–ceramic and ceramic materials were produced from thermal power plant fly ash without any additives. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the amorphous phase of the glass sample. Augite phase was detected in the glass–ceramic sample, while the enstatite and mullite phases occurred in the ceramic samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed that tiny crystallites homogeneously dispersed in the microstructure of the glass–ceramic sample and elongated crystals formed in the ceramic samples. Density values of the obtained samples are comparable to those of the commercially produced glass, glass–ceramic and ceramic samples. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results indicated that the produced samples could be taken as non-hazardous materials. Produced samples showed high resistance to alkali solutions in contrast to acidic solutions. Microstructural, physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the produced glass–ceramic samples are better than those of the produced glass and ceramic samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The solid by-product from power plant fueled with municipal solid waste and coal was used as a raw material to synthesize zeolite by fusion-hydrothermal process in order to effectively use this type of waste material. The effects of treatment conditions, including NaOH/ash ratio, operating temperature and hydrothermal reaction time, were investigated, and the product was applied to simulated wastewater treatment. The optimal conditions for zeolite X synthesis were: NaOH/ash ratio=1.2:1, fusion temperature=550°C, crystallization time=6–10h and crystallization temperature=90°C. In the synthesis process, it was found that zeolite X tended to transform into zeolite HS when NaOH/ash ratio was 1.8 or higher, crystallization time was 14–18h, operating temperature was 130°C or higher. The CEC value, BET surface area and pore volume for the synthesized product at optimal conditions were 250cmolkg−1, 249m2 g−1 and 0.46cm3 g−1 respectively, higher than coal fly ash based zeolite. Furthermore, when applied to Zn2+ contaminated wastewater treatment, the synthesized product presented larger adsorption capacity and bond energy than coal fly ash based zeolite, and the adsorption isotherm data could be well described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. These results demonstrated that the special type of co-combustion ash from power plant is suitable for synthesizing high quality zeolite, and the products are suitable for heavy metal removal from wastewater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mercury (Hg) has been known to society and used since ancient times. The metal has drawn considerable attention and concern due to its toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation and long range transport in the atmosphere after emission from coal-fired utilities as well various other high temperature processes. Coal is an important fuel for the production of heat and electricity and in recent years annual hard coal production has approached a level of around 5000 million metric tonnes (Mt, t=1000kg). Global Hg flows via coal and coal utilization by-products (CUBs) are presented in this paper, which are important in light of the regulations to limit the global emissions of Hg and its cycling as well as its circulation via coal and the CUBs. There are no detailed statistics on the global production and consumption of coal fly ash (FA) and in this study, we have estimated the total global FA production for the year 2003 based on ash content in coals and typical flue gas control technology for pulverized coal combustion. The mode of occurrence and concentration of Hg in coal and coal FA for different countries have been evaluated and presented in this study. The total Hg amount in coals processed worldwide was found to be 1534t in 2003 based on a global average concentration of 0.3mg/kg in coal. In addition, “hidden” flows of Hg through export and import of coal assessed during this study, add up to about 149t. In this study, the economic uses of the FA in different sectors such as cement industry, agriculture, land reclamation, filers for asphalt, plastic and many others have been discussed in details. However, there is not much information on uses of coal FA in the developing countries. In the final part of the paper, a short survey has been focused on a few coal producing countries including Australia, China, EU-states, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, South Africa and South American countries, addressing the status of coal and coal FA use and the fate of the Hg that is mobilized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aiming at the development of a phosphorus removal technology for waste water, phosphate (PO4 3−) retention behavior of bituminous and lignitous coal ashes was investigated using a batch reactor. Ash samples, including fresh and weathered fly and bottom ashes, were studied for their sorption isotherms and reversibility. Fly ashes had a much higher phosphate retention capacity (4000–30,000mgP/kg) than bottom ashes (15–600mgP/kg). Lignitous coal ashes were more capable of retaining phosphate than bituminous coal ashes. The retention process was largely irreversible, and the irreversibility increased with the increase in the retention capacity. Weathering enlarged the retention capacity of the bituminous bottom ash, but substantially lowered that of the fly ash, likely due to the difference in the weather-induced changes between the fly and bottom ashes. Sorption isotherms of fly ashes were found to be adequately represented by the Langmuir model while those of bottom ashes fitted better to the Freundlich model. Concentrations of Ca2+ and PO4 3− in the aqueous phase were measured at the end of sorption and desorption experiments, and were compared with solubilities of three calcium phosphate minerals. The aqueous solutions were saturated or super-saturated with respect to tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) and hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH), and slightly under-saturated with respect to amorphous calcium phosphate. It is concluded that precipitation of calcium phosphate is the predominant mechanism for phosphate retention by coal ash under the conditions studied. There is a strong and positive correlation between alkalinity and phosphate sorption capacity. Consequently, acid neutralization capacity (ANC) can be used as an indicator of phosphate sorption capacity of coal ashes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

When recycling bottom ash from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs), salts and heavy metals contents must be considered; in particular, chloride ions must be addressed because they cause serious corrosion in metals. Therefore, only limited amounts of bottom ash can be utilized as a substitution for material or the bottom ash must be treated at high temperatures prior to use. These factors markedly decrease the applications of bottom ash. In addition to the distribution characteristics of chloride ions, this study also investigates the characteristics change before and after de-chlorination using a counter-flow pipe column and three different flow fluxes for different refuse incinerators as the experiment variables. Thus, this study attempts to determine the appropriate conditions for de-chlorination and an appropriate policy for use of bottom ash as concrete aggregate. The experimental results show that a negative correlation exists between the natural logarithm of the chloride ion concentration and particle size in bottom ash. Characteristics of de-chlorinated bottom ash, such as pH value, mud content, loss on ignition, chloride ion concentration, turbidity, and species intensity, all decrease, meaning that de-chlorination decreased chloride ion content and generates a cleaning effect. The per-unit-time efficiency of de-chlorination is highest in the high flux flow. When flow flux is 80mL/min, the de-chlorination efficiency is >0.3%/h. However, the shortest time required for bottom ash de-chlorination does not reduce in proportion to the legally prescribed concentration of chloride ion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lignite fly ash (LFA), being alkaline and endowed with excellent pozzolanic properties, a silt loam texture, and plant nutrients, has the potential to improve soil quality and productivity. Long-term field trials with groundnut, maize, and sun hemp were carried out to study the effect of LFA on growth and yield. Before crop I was sown, LFA was applied at various doses with and without press mud (an organic waste from the sugar industry, used as an amendment and source of nutrients). LFA with and without press mud was also applied before crops III and V were cultivated. Chemical fertilizer, along with gypsum, humic acid, and biofertilizer, was applied in all treatments, including the control. With one-time and repeat applications of LFA (with and without press mud), yield increased significantly (7.0–89.0%) in relation to the control crop. The press mud enhanced the yield (3.0–15.0%) with different LFA applications. The highest yield LFA dose was 200 t/ha for one-time and repeat applications, the maximum yield being with crop III (combination treatment). One-time and repeat application of LFA (alone and in combination with press mud) improved soil quality and the nutrient content of the produce. The highest dose of LFA (200 t/ha) with and without press mud showed the best residual effects (eco-friendly increases in the yield of succeeding crops). Some increase in trace- and heavy-metal contents and in the level of γ-emitters in soil and crop produce, but well within permissible limits, was observed. Thus, LFA can be used on a large scale to boost soil fertility and productivity with no adverse effects on the soil or crops, which may solve the problem of bulk disposal of fly ash in an eco-friendly manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of fly-ash (FA) from coal-fired power stations causes significant economic and environmental problems. Use of such contaminated sites for crop production and use of contaminated water for irrigation not only decreases crop productivity but also poses health hazards to humans due to accumulation of toxic metals in edible grains. In the present investigation, three rice cultivars viz., Saryu-52, Sabha-5204, and Pant-4 were grown in garden soil (GS, control) and various amendments (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of FA for a period of 90 days and effect on growth and productivity of plant was evaluated vis-a-vis metal accumulation in the plants. The toxicity of FA at higher concentration (⩾50%) was reflected by the reduction in photosynthetic pigments, protein and growth parameters viz., plant height, root biomass, number of tillers, grain and straw weight. However, at lower concentrations (10–25%), FA enhanced growth of the plants as evident by the increase of studied growth parameters. The cysteine and non-protein thiol (NP-SH) content showed increase in their levels up to 100% FA as compared to control, however, maximum content was found at 25% FA in Saryu-52 and Pant-4 and at 50% FA in Sabha-5204. Accumulation of Fe, Si, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cd and As was investigated in roots, leaves and seeds of the plants. Fe accumulation was maximum in all the parts of plant followed by Si and both showed more translocation to leaves while Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd showed lower accumulation and most of the metal was confined to roots in all the three cultivars. As was accumulated only in leaves and was not found to be in detectable levels in roots and seeds. The metal accumulation order in three rice cultivars was Fe>Si>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cd>As in all the plant parts. The results showed that rice varieties Saryu-52 and Sabha-5204 were more tolerant and could show improved growth and yield in lower FA application doses as compared to Pant-4. Thus, Sabha-5204 and Saryu-52 are found suitable for cultivation in FA amended agricultural soils for better crop yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Four crop plants were grown in a greenhouse in soils amended with 0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight of coal combustion fly ash to evaluate potential trace element uptake by the vegetation. The leaves and stems from each plant were harvested and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn content during early, middle, and late growth. The trace element data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the trace element uptake in the four crop plants differed significantly between the soil treatments, and to identify significant differences in trace element uptake through time. The results show that the amount of amended fly ash does not significantly influence the concentration of most trace elements in plant tissue, and that some concentrations actually decrease with time. Although this study did not find a significant increase in trace element uptake, care must be taken in a natural environment where plants may behave differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1955 and 1989, coal ash was deposited within an impounded watershed on the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee, creating the 3.6 ha Filled Coal Ash Pond (FCAP). The site has subsequently become vegetated wildlife habitat. To evaluate risks that metals in ash may pose to wildlife; ash, surface water, small mammal, and vegetation samples were collected and metal residues were determined. Metal concentrations, As and Se in particular, were elevated in ash, surface water, plant foliage, and small mammals relative to reference materials. Estimates of metal exposures were calculated for short-tailed shrews, white-footed mice, white-tailed deer, red fox, and red-tailed hawks. While shrews and mice were assumed to reside exclusively at and receive 100% exposure from the site, exposure experienced by deer, fox, and hawks was assumed to be proportional to the size of the site relative to their home range. Because deer had been observed to consume ash, presumably for its high sodium content, exposure experienced by deer consuming ash to meet sodium requirements was also estimated. Exposure estimates were compared to body-size adjusted toxicity data for each metal. These comparisons suggest that metals at the site may be detrimental to reproduction and survivorship of mice, shrews, and deer consuming ash for sodium; fox and hawks do not appear to be at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reprint is presented of the article "Ash Spill Shows How Watchdog Was Defanged," by Trip Gabriel which appeared in the newspaper the "New York Times" on February 28, 2014. The article discusses the waste spill of coal ash from the energy company Duke Energy into the Dan River, North Carolina in February 2014, including in regard to the North Carolina state government's regulatory policies on the spill.

Reprints are provided of the articles "A Watched EPA Never Acts: 5 Years After the TVA Coal Ash Disaster," by Amy Adams, on the environmental organization Appalachian Voices' web site AppVoices.org on December 22, 2013 and "EPA agrees to issue coal ash rules," by Bruce Henderson in the newspaper "Charlotte Observer" on January 30, 2014. The article discusses the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) response.

In this article the authors discuss how ignoring emissions of mercury (Hg) from coal ash and desulfurized gypsum will lead to ineffective Hg control in coal-fired power plants in China. Topics include the environmental impact of Hg, increased coal consumption in thermal power plants due to rapid economic development, and the importance of Hg emission control measures at coal-fired power plants.

The article discusses policies on coal mining in the U.S. Some 150 new coal-fired plants are in planning stages, most of the facilities will use antiquated pulverized coal technology that impedes collection of carbon dioxide, which is the major contributor to global warming. The coal mining also toxifies drinking water with ash waste, destroys the landscape, and harms human health and safety. Moreover, reliance on coal as an energy source puts a drag on investment in the development of new energy technologies.

The authors reveal the adverse impact of the Partizansk Coal-Burning Power Plant (CBPP) in Russia that contaminates soil and natural water. They mention that ash is the main contaminant leading to the problem of overfilled old ash dump and the samples from the Partizanskaya River estuary showed radio-active components. They further suggest two solutions to improve the ecological situation in the river area including ash dump remediation and ash utilization in different industries.

The article discusses the worst outcomes and concern regarding the disposal of the U.S. coal-fired power plants, runoff and seepage from coal ash which pollute groundwater and nearby habitats. It mentions a study regarding the pollutant-related toll on wildlife which asks for new regulations considering the ecological effects and ban on coal-waste disposal. It informs that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a policy to regulate coal ash waste.

The article reports that fish exposed to fly ash at the site of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) December 2008 coal ash spill appear healthy, according a study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in collaboration with TVA. According to Mark Peterson of ORNL, fish populations can be impacted by factors unrelated to the spill, such as food and habitat availability. The article notes that some contaminants, such as selenium, may not cause effects that can be measured immediately after a spill.

The article reports on the decision of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson that EPA has postponed the release of any new coal-ash regulations for a short period of time in December 2009. It notes that the agency has admitted that it needed more time due to the complexity of the analysis. It reveals that demands for additional regulation has increased due to the incident that happened in the mountains of eastern Tennessee at the Kingston Fossil Plant in 2008.

The article reports on the identification of hazardous coal ash impoundments at 26 different coal burning electric utility facilities by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. The EPA worked with the Risk Analysis Division Mitigation Directorate of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers in identifying the coal combustion residuals. EPA states that high hazard potential rating relates to the potential for harm if impoundments fail.