Coal Ash Basics
What are the byproducts of burning coal called?
What is coal ash?
In which state did the Kingston coal ash spill occur?
What is Tennessee?
Name one route of exposure to coal ash.
What is inhalation (or ingestion/dermal contact)?
Which Essential Public Health Service is highlighted by efforts to regulate coal ash?
What is EPHS #6: Utilize legal and regulatory actions to improve public health?
Name one key stakeholder in coal ash regulation.
Who is the EPA (or power plant operators, local communities)?
Name one of the primary components found in coal ash that poses health risks.
What is arsenic (or lead/mercury)?
In what year did the Kingston coal ash spill take place?
What is 2008?
Which populations are most vulnerable to coal ash exposure?
Who are children, elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions?
What type of public health strategy involves creating policies to prevent environmental disasters?
What is regulatory action or prevention policy?
Why are community members considered key stakeholders?
What is because they experience the direct health impacts of coal ash spills?
True or False: Coal ash is considered a hazardous waste under federal regulations.
What is False?
How many homes were damaged or destroyed due to the Kingston coal ash spill?
What is more than 20 homes?
What health issue can result from long-term exposure to heavy metals in coal ash?
What is cancer (or respiratory diseases)?
How does the 2015 EPA rule address coal ash disposal?
What is requiring regular groundwater assessment near disposal sites?
Which stakeholder group is responsible for funding coal ash cleanup efforts?
Who are power plant operators (or the Tennessee Valley Authority in Kingston)?
Which agency is responsible for regulating coal ash in the United States?
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
How many gallons of coal ash sludge were released in the Kingston spill?
What is 1.1 billion gallons?
Why is groundwater contamination a concern with coal ash disposal sites?
What is because toxic metals can leach into drinking water sources?
Which framework helps mitigate environmental health risks in coal ash spills?
What is the three-step framework (assessment, management, communication)?
How can public health officials help mitigate coal ash risks?
What is by educating the public, monitoring exposure, and advocating for regulations?
What are the two primary methods of coal ash disposal?
What are landfills and surface impoundments?
What was a major environmental impact of the Kingston spill?
What is contamination of the Emory and Clinch rivers?
What is the difference between exposure and dose?
What is exposure is the contact with a substance, while dose is the amount absorbed by the body?
How does addressing coal ash as a public health issue promote health equity?
What is by ensuring all communities have equal protection from toxic exposure?
Why is balancing stakeholder interests important in regulatory decision-making?
What is to ensure policies are fair and effective for both public health and industry?