Rodale news, Emmaus, PA—A new study out of coal-rich West Virginia found that the fossil fuel isn’t just providing us with electricity, it’s sickening and killing people who live in Appalachia. The study, published in the July-August issue of the journal Public Health Reports, found that the health problems in coal-mining areas of Appalachia far outweigh any economic boost the industry brings to the region. “If we were serious about developing a strong economy, we’d develop an economy not dependent on coal,” says Michael Hendryx, PhD, associate director of the West Virginia University Institute for Health Policy Research in WVU’s department of community medicine. “Those who are falling ill and dying young are not just the coal miners. Everyone who lives near the mines or processing plants or transportation centers is affected by chronic socioeconomic weakness that takes a toll in longevity and health.” THE DETAILS: Researchers investigated national mortality rates for years 1979 to 2005, comparing groups from four types of areas: counties in Appalachia with above-average coal mining, Appalachian counties with below-average coal mining, Appalachia counties with no mining, and other counties throughout the country. They found that those living in the areas with the most coal-mining operations had the highest death rates, lowest household income, lowest level of education, and highest unemployment rates when compared to the other counties. They also found that coal mining brought $8 billion in economic impacts to the region, where mountaintop-coal-removal methods are often used, but estimated that the costs of shortened life spans associated with coal operations ranged from nearly $17 billion to $84 billion. When held up against comparable areas around the nation, coal-mining areas in Appalachia showed nearly 11,000 more deaths each year. About 2,300 of them were directly related to air and water pollution worsened by mining. “We know that in West Virginia we have high rates of poverty and illness, and we’ve been led to believe by government and industry that the coal companies help by creating jobs. But that’s not true,” says Hendryx. “Premature mortality is strongly linked to socioeconomic conditions where people live, and the evidence is that those areas of West Virginia that do not have coal do better. They develop economic alternatives.” In the study, Hendryx calls for more diverse career opportunities that won’t pollute drinking water and air, including energy from wind, the sun, small-scale agriculture, outdoor tourism, or sustainable timber operations.

West Virginia has approximately 20,000 coal miners, down from a high of 130,000 miners in 1940, while the number of tons of coal mined has increased.

WHAT IT MEANS: Coal mines seem to be hurting the very people who are supposed to be gaining the most economic benefits from their presence. But you don’t have to live in Appalachia to be sickened by coal. There are nearly 600 existing coal plants around the country, and many operate with poor pollution-control systems. Add to that the peer-reviewed, scientific data illustrating how coal and other fossil fuels have spurred global warming, and it’s clear we need to move towards cleaner fuel sources.

Here are some ways we can all help clean up our coal habit:

• Call your rep. The U.S. House of Representatives will likely vote on a landmark climate bill by the end of this week. That gives you a few days to let your rep know how you want him or her to vote.
• Buy green energy. You can displace dirty-burning fossil fuels and replace them with clean power on the energy grid by purchasing renewable energy certificates. Depending on where you live, if the power industry has been deregulated, you could even purchase your power directly from a green source (check with your utility company). Carbon offsets are also available for those who want to invest in green energy. Look for trusted third-party-certified products.