When coal is burned, various chemicals are released into the air. These chemicals include mercury, lead and other heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, the primary molecules contributing to the formation of acid rain. Additionally, an abundance of (CO), the primary greenhouse gas associated with burning fossil fuels, enters the atmosphere, contributing to smog. Finally, the burning of coal can lead to the release of small amounts of radioactive materials occurring naturally within anthracite.
Coal pollution mitigation is a series of systems and technologies that seek to mitigate the Health and environmental impact of the coal industry|health and environmental impact of coal; in particular, air pollution from coal-fired power stations and from coal burnt by heavy industry. Systems of coal pollution mitigation primarily focus on mitigating the release of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates comprising chemical smog, which cause visible air pollution, illness, and premature deaths.
Sulfur dioxide can be removed by flue-gas desulfurization and nitrogen oxides by selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Particulates can be removed with electrostatic precipitators. Although perhaps less efficient, wet scrubbers can remove both gasses and particulates. Reducing fly ash reduces emissions of naturally occurring radioactive materials. Mercury emissions can be reduced by up to 95%. Capturing carbon dioxide emissions from coal is a process in which a relatively pure stream of carbon dioxide from industrial sources is separated, treated, and transported to a long-term storage location.