http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02c.html
Environmental impacts of coal power:
air pollution
Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical coal plant generates:
* 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming--as much carbon dioxide as cutting down 161 million trees.
* 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs.
* 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility.
* 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.
* 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease.
* 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.
* 170
pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
* 225
pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
* 114
pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.