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Word Perfect
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Word Perfect
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TAKING OUR BREATH AWAY
Health Risks from Florida’s Electric Power Plants
The Florida Clean Power Coalition (FCPC)
November 1998
[We] impose the cost of pollution on people who breathe, so the people who pollute can avoid the cost of control. I think this is backwards.
-- The late Edmund S. Muskie, U.S. SenatorOverview
Florida’s electric power plants are significant sources of air pollution, releasing hundreds of thousands of tons of dangerous pollutants each year into the air we all breathe. Breathing high levels of ozone smog, fine particles, acid aerosols, and hazardous air pollutants puts the health of millions of Florida residents at risk. Still other poisons, like mercury, affect human health through the aquatic food chain. Millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming which could have severe health effects. All these pollutants come from power plants.
In 1997, Florida’s largest power plants emitted nearly 320,000 tons of ozone smog-causing nitrogen oxides (NOx ), almost 700,000 tons of fine particle- and acid rain-forming sulfur dioxide (SO2) and more than 120 million tons of global warming-carbon dioxide (CO2) into our air. Surprisingly, mercury pollution is neither measured nor restricted by state or federal environmental agencies; however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one-third of mercury pollution comes from coal-fired power plants.
Ironically, nearly 30 years after passage of the federal Clean Air Act in 1970, we still have health-threatening air pollution problems. A loophole in the Act exempted power plants built before the early 1980's from having to meet the same clean air standards as new plants. In fact, exempt plants pollute at four to ten times the rate of new plants. Many of Florida’s coal and oil-fueled power plants take advantage of that loophole, creating excess emissions over new standards. This means Florida has a significant number of dirty older power plants (primarily coal-fueled) that disproportionately pollute and threaten our right to breathe safe air. Florida’s dirtiest dozen power plants for 1997 were:
| 1. Big Bend (TECO)* Excess tons: NOx
31,764, SO2 84,491 |
The problem could worsen with retail competition in the electric power industry if citizens and government do not call on all electric power producers to take responsibility for the environmental health problems they cause. Competition could allow consumers to choose their power suppliers similar to how we choose a long distance phone company. Companies that can make the cheapest electricity will beat the competition. This will create an incentive to electric companies to operate the cheapest (and dirtiest) plants more often and for a longer time. New power plants meeting today’s stricter Clean Air Act standards have pollution control equipment that greatly reduces pollution and the damage it causes. But because the cost of pollution control is part of the cost of new plants, they cannot compete with older coal plants having minimum or no controls.
The health and environmental consequences of air pollution are not included in what customers pay for electricity from exempt power plants. As a result, the health costs from power plant pollution are imposed on taxpayers and health care recipients. Every taxpayer bears the cost of Medicaid payments to treat illnesses caused by air pollution. Florida spent more than $326 million from July 1996 to July 1997 to treat 69,000 Medicaid patients with asthma, an illness associated with air pollution (see discussion below). In addition, as health care patients and health insurance customers, everyone pays for air pollution-related health care costs in higher insurance premiums. Healthy People 2000, a report prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and others, estimated the costs of outdoor air pollution in 1994 at $40 - 50 billion (On a per person basis, Florida’s share would be about $2.5 billion). More importantly, the report attributes between 50,000 and 120,000 pre-mature deaths per year to air pollution. People with respiratory diseases die, on average, three years earlier than the average life expectancy.
Regulated Power Plant Pollutants and Their Health EffectsOzone
What Is It? It is a highly corrosive, invisible gas. It is the main ingredient in smog (particulates, discussed below, often make smog visible). Ozone is our nation’s most widespread air pollution problem.
How Is it Produced? It is created when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other air pollutants combine in sunlight and high temperatures to form ozone smog. In most places, ozone is worse in summer. In Florida, the air circulation from the seas and frequent summer rains often "wash" ozone out of the air. But in late spring and early fall, re-circulation of land-sea breezes play an important role in the build-up of smog that does not go away quickly. In 1998, Florida environmental and health officials issued the state’s first statewide smog alert a few days before Memorial Day weekend. [See box (next page) on ozone alerts.]
What Are its Health Effects? Generally, small airways in people’s lungs can become damaged somewhat like a smoker’s lungs. Also, the lung’s defenses are weakened and people become vulnerable to increased infection. Ozone burns (oxidizes) people’s lungs and is a powerful respiratory irritant. It causes airways to become swollen and inflamed, resulting in scarring and decreased breathing ability.
Exposure to ozone, even for healthy individuals, may cause:
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The most vulnerable are children, people with respiratory illness (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, emphysema) and those who exercise outdoors. Children are at increased risk because:
their airways are narrower, making inflammation effects worse; they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults; and they spend more time outdoors, especially in seasons when ozone is worst.
Many medical studies show a link between higher ozone levels and increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory distress. Most effects of ozone are short-term and associated with higher exposure, but long-term exposure appears to be a serious concern that is being studied by the medical community.
Particulate Matter (PM)
What Is It? A potentially deadly pollutant, PM is a "grab-bag" of pollutants that includes small, solid particles (soot), gas and liquid chemicals, and aerosols. Larger soot particles that we can see are not as dangerous as the very small ones we can’t see.
What Are its Health Effects? Fine particle pollution can kill. Thousands of deaths each year are associated with PM pollution, even at levels below current federal standards. The EPA estimated that about 15,000 deaths per year could be prevented by its new PM standards.
Fine particles are breathed deep into the lungs and may not be expelled. Typical heath effects include: runny or stuffy nose, sinusitis, sore throat, wet cough, burning or red eyes, wheezing, dry cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, chest pain, and increased symptoms from asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
What Is It? SO2 is an invisible gas created when the sulfur contained in coal, oil or diesel fuel is burned.
How Is it Produced? Roughly 70% of total U.S. SO2 emissions are from coal-fired power plants. In Florida, over 95% of SO2 is from power plants. SO2 reacts chemically in the air to form acid particles (PM), sulfuric acid, and other sulfates -- all of which are dangerous.
What Are its Health Effects? When inhaled, SO2 and its by-products (e.g., acid aerosols) may cause a range of health effects. At high levels, it can reduce lung function in healthy people. Asthmatics, particularly children, are very vulnerable. SO2 triggers swelling in airways that chokes off breathing. SO2 combines to form ammonium sulfate aerosols, a major component in fine PM pollution discussed above.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
What Is It? NOx is a family of chemical compounds; two principal chemicals are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
How Is it Produced? Nitric oxide is emitted from cars and power plants and changed in the air to nitrogen dioxide, which is then changed to fine particle (PM) nitrates or gaseous nitric acid. When exposed to sunlight, NOx reacts with other chemicals to form ozone smog.
What Are its Health Effects? NOx is a potent pollutant by itself, and it also is an essential component in the formation of other dangerous pollutants. Like ozone, NOx corrodes lung tissue. Studies show that animals exposed to NOx are less able to fight bacterial infections and their risk of viral infection increases.
The Electric Power Connection
Electric utilities are required to report emissions of SO2 and NOx to EPA. The graphs below [Figures 1-4] show the total tons and the rate at which Florida’s dirtiest dozen power plants emitted those pollutants in 1997. While many people think only of cars as contributors to ozone, Table 1 shows that electric utility NOx pollution is significant compared to cars. Generally, power plants exempt from the Clean Air Act produce these pollutants at 4 to 10 times the rate of new facilities (see Figures 1-4):
Hazardous Air Pollutants
Congress, in 1990, classified more than 160 substances as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs or air toxins) that are known to cause irreversible and serious illness. Health effects that may result from long-term exposure to HAPs include birth defects, cancer, reproductive problems, nerve disease and poisoning. Coal-fired power plants emit many air toxins, including arsenic, chromium, and mercury. Oil-fired plants are also sources of nickel.
MERCURY
At high levels, mercury can disrupt nervous, immune, hormone and enzyme functions of human cells. Mercury can harm the central nervous system and can result in mental retardation and blindness in fetuses and small children. (See Table 2 for a list of health effects). Studies consistently find that fetuses and children are more at risk because their bodies and brains are still developing. Mercury particularly affects language, attention and memory abilities in children. People who rely on self-caught fish for food (subsistence fishers), recreational anglers and Native Americans are also at high risk.
Health advisories for many waterbodies in Florida warn pregnant women and children from eating fish; other waterbodies also have advisories against eating certain types of fish from those waters or eating it more frequently that once a week. More than 2000 miles of rivers and 183,000 acres of lakes are under mercury health warnings in Florida. Unfortunately, most of those waterbodies have no warning signs posted. Regional DEP offices, state Health Department offices and the Florida Freshwater Fish and Game Commission can provide specific information. (See also: http://www.state.fl.us/gfc/fishing/health.) See Table 3 for mercury levels in commonly consumed fish.
EPA issued a 1997 report to Congress showing that coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury air pollution in the U.S. -- about 32% of mercury in the environment comes from coal plants. Older coal power plants, exempt from modern clean air standards, generally pollute the most. EPA has proposed to issue an information request to electric utilities to monitor mercury in coal and in some emissions and to report that information publicly to EPA. Utilities strongly oppose EPA’s request to gather that information or to make it public.
The Earth’s climate is changing in significant part because human activities, such as burning coal, oil and natural gas in power plants, are altering the chemical make-up of our atmosphere through the build-up of "greenhouse gases" -- carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Although there is uncertainty about exactly how and over what time period this will happen, climate experts are sure it is happening and observations indicate that detectable changes are underway. Even some major CO2 polluters like 3M, Lockheed and British Petroleum recognize the problem and are urging action. However, the vast majority of electric utilities still deny global warming is real.
In the last century, average temperatures in Florida have increased by two degrees and are projected to increase by three to four degrees by 2100. Such seemingly small changes can make a big difference. The frequency of extremely hot days in summer is expected to increase; it is likely that severe storms and huricanes may intensify. The intense drought, fires and flood experienced in 1998 may be examples of global warming’s effects.
Global climate change poses serious risks to human health. Higher temperatures may increase heat-related deaths and illness. Scientists recently suggested that 28 people die in Tampa each year from heat-related causes; as many as 68 additional deaths could occur with a three degree temperature increase. People at risk include the very old, the very young, and those with pre-existing heart and lung disease. State and federal programs will be strained to provide assistance, including social and health services, Medicare and Medicaid and health insurance.
Global warming is likely to increase incidents of infectious diseases carried by insects and rodents (vectors). Potential diseases include encephalitis, hantavirus, malaria and dengue fever. Populations at risk for encephalitis include rural residents, outdoor recreationists, and outdoor workers. Government programs involved include vector control programs, social and health services, Medicare and Medicaid and health insurance.
Sea water warming and sea level rise are already occurring and increased cases of marine-borne disease, such as from algal blooms, are also probable. Populations at risk include coastal residents, marine sport fishermen and commercial fishermen. Government programs strained will include food inspection programs, social and health services, Medicare and Medicaid and health insurance.
Finally, increases in extreme weather events like drought, flood and intense hurricanes, can be expected. Populations at risk include coastal residents, the elderly, the very young, the poor and those without access to health care. Government programs involved will include disaster relief funds, social and health services, Medicare and Medicaid and health insurance.
Florida’s electric utilities produced more than 120 million tons of carbon dioxide in 1997 alone. Old coal-fired power plants cause the lion’s share of the problem. The graph below shows total tons released into the air by Florida’s worst CO2 emitters. (See Fig.5.)
Florida’s rapidly growing population and a trend toward increased consumer use of
electricity are increasing CO2 emissions. However, Florida could decrease CO2 emissions
significantly by reducing reliance on old, inefficient coal power plants. Even better,
Florida has an abundance of solar energy from the sun that remains untapped.
Florida cities and counties participating in a federally-sponsored Cities for Climate Change program include: Broward , Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Sarasota Counties and Miami Beach, Riviera Beach, and Tampa. This program is aimed at acting locally to slow the Earth’s warming and to improve local air quality and livability. If you live in one of the participating cities or counties, contact their environmental office to find out what they are doing.
Solutions
Fortunately, Florida is in a unique position to benefit from energy efficiency and from the use of clean energy technologies such as solar energy. Floridians spend more than $20 billion a year on fuels. None of that fuel is produced in-state, which means our fuel dollars spent to run power plants have few, if any, local economic benefits.
State policies supporting solar energy resources and energy efficiency are on the books, but are not being seriously pursued. Electric companies and government decision makers do not consider the substantial health costs of our current energy choices. Some states put an actual dollar value on pollution damage and consideration is being given in other states to pollution taxes in place of real property or sales taxes.
Meanwhile, Florida residents have some of the highest average monthly electricity bills in the nation because of our almost exclusive dependence on electricity to run our homes and businesses. Aggressive use of energy efficiency measures could significantly reduce the amount of electric energy Floridians use. Bringing clean energy technology manufacturers and energy efficiency services to Florida could create 2-5 times the number of jobs as power plants for each unit of energy produced or saved and could move Florida into the 21st century using clean renewable energy sources. We could not only grow our domestic market for solar technologies, but are well suited to serve as the export center to growing world markets in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa.
Renewable energy technologies could help Florida meet state air quality goals. In addition, Florida could reduce its health care costs and the damage that pollution causes to all its citizens - particularly those most vulnerable. Public health, medical and other health-related professions need to be more aware of the full implications of air pollution to good health and, in turn, help to educate others. All citizens need to demand more healthful air and energy choices.
Conclusions
We must eliminate the loophole exploited by Florida’s old fossil plants for too many years and encourage cost-effective solutions to meet new clean air standards. Utilities can take steps at each old dirty plant to come into compliance with modern standards. Pollution control equipment, fuel-switching to relatively cleaner natural gas and retiring obsolete units are options. If all old plants, nationwide, are held to the same standard, none will have the "dirty is cheap" advantage and all Floridians will have a healthier future.
In order to reduce harmful power plant pollution and remove unfair subsidies that keep cleaner energy resources from being used, federal policy makers must resolve to end the clean air loophole subsidy given to older power plants. New power plants must meet performance standards that are four to ten times stricter than old plants. It's time to put "term limits" on the loopholes and phase them out quickly.
The health damage and health care costs associated with air pollution from old power plants are unacceptable. Citizens armed with information can demand that changes be made to ensure our air is safe to breathe. Citizens and government must continue to expand efforts to encourage clean energy technologies like solar energy and energy efficiency alternatives to dirty "dinosaur" power supplies. We need to make sure these dinosaurs become extinct so that we won’t!
Information Sources
Asthma and the Role of Air Pollution: What the Primary Care Physician Should Know, Physicians for Social Responsibility, 1997.
Burt, Catharine & Knapp, Donna, "Ambulatory Care Visits for Asthma: U.S. 1993-94," 277, Centers for Disease Control, 9/27/96.
Dickey, Jefferson, MD, Health Effects of Ozone and NOx, unpublished draft, July 1998.
Dickey, Jefferson, MD, "No Room to Breathe: Particulate Air Pollution and Excess Mortality," nd.
Dockery, Douglas, et al., "An Association between Air Pollution and Mortality in Six U.S. Cities," New England Journal of Medicine, v. 329, pp. 1753-9, 1993.
Health Effects of Ground-Level Ozone, Acid Aerosols and Particulate Matter, Ontario Medical Assn. May 1998.
"Health Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution," Committee of the Environmental & Occupational Health Assembly of the American Thoracic Society, American Jl. of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, v. 153, pp. 3-50, 1996.
Health Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution, American Lung Assn. 1996.
Korrick, Susan, et al., "Effects of Ozone and Other Pollutants on the Pulmonary Function of Adult Hikers," 106 Environmental Health Perspectives 2, 2/98.
Moore, Curtis, Dying Needlessly: Sickness & Death Due to Energy-Related Air Pollution, Univ. Of Maryland, REPP Issue Brief, 2/97.
Pope, C. Arden, et al., "Particulate Air Pollution as a Predictor of Mortality in a Prospective Study of U.S. Adults," American Jl. of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, v. 151, pp. 669-74, 1995.
Statistical Abstract of the U.S., U.S. GPO, 1997.
U.S. EPA Acid Rain ETS/CEM Database 1997. (www.epa.gov/acidrain/edata.htm)
U.S. EPA. Mercury Study Report to Congress, 12/97. (www.epa.gov/ttnuatw1/112nmerc/mercury.html)
The Florida Clean Power Coalition (FCPC) gratefully acknowledges and thanks the Educational Foundation of America, the Energy Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Turner Foundation for their generous support in making this report possible.
This report is available on the following websites: FCAN - www.fcan.org
PEEF - www.lewisweb.net/creative FPIRG - www.pirg.org/floridapirg
The Florida Clean Power Coalition works to improve human health and the environment through reducing air pollution from electric power plants and increasing energy efficiency and clean renewable resources.
