Coal Kills

particulate control equipment (ESPs and cyclone bag filters) for removal of entrained ash. ESPs
are installed in all coal-fired TPPs in India. As removal efficiencies at ESPs are higher for coarse
particles, most of the PM dispersing from the top of the stack is in the size range of respirable
PM. The PM in the flue gas also contains high concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic,
lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, and zinc, which not only contributes to potential health hazard
than the bottom ash, but also increases the resistivity and reduces the ESPs collection efficiency
to as low as 98%. A composite of the share of heavy metals in samples collected at the TPPs in
Delhi and Kanpur is presented in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Source profile of the heavy metals in a particulate sample collected from a
power plant in Delhi and Kanpur (CPCB, 2010) 11
Besides flue gas PM emissions, fugitive dust from coal-handling plants and ash ponds (after the
disposal from the plants) is a problem. According to the Central Electrical Authority, after the
combustion and application of control equipment, ash collection at the TPPs ranged 70-80% of
the total ash in the coal. It is assumed that the remaining particulates is dispersed from the stacks.
An amendment notification from MoEF mandates that 100% of ash utilisation within four years
of generation; at least 25% of ash utilisation in all brick kilns within 100km radius of TPPs; and all
building construction within 100km for any coal-fired TPP to use 100% ash based bricks, blocks,
11 These samples from the coal-fired TPPs in Delhi and Kanpur were collected and analysed as part of the particulate pollution source
apportionment study in six cities, commissioned by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and executed by the Central Pollution
Control Board (2010). Details of the program and results are available @ http://cpcb.nic.in/Source_Apportionment_Studies.php
8 | Coal-fired TPPs in India