Effects of Coal Mining on Land:

Plants & Animals: Containing elements like lead, mercury, and arsenic in toxic doses, coal combustion wastes have been shown to cause illness and death in plants and animals. Direct exposure to these toxins and others causes lower rates of reproduction, tissue disease, slower development, and even death. Vegetation growing on or nearby coal waste disposal sites also exhibit signs of damage, including reduced growth and die offs.

Effects of Coal Mining on Water:

Combustion Waste Leaks: At coal combustion waste landfills, leaks can occur when contaminated water percolates through the wastes or when water washes over exposed areas and carries off contaminants. The opportunities for leaks at surface impoundments are even greater because they are often exposed, increasing the likelihood of polluted runoff into ground and surface waters. In 2005, there were 24 acknowledged cases of environmental pollution from leaking landfills and impoundments, and many more suspected cases.

Effects of Coal Mining on People:

Exposure to toxics: People are exposed to these wastes through contact with contaminated soils, inhaling polluted dust, and eating plants and animals that have been exposed. The single greatest threat of human exposure is from polluted groundwater and drinking waters sources. The toxins found in coal wastes have been linked to organ disease, increased cancer, respiratory illness, neurological damage, and developmental problems. Children who are exposed to coal combustion waste toxins are more likely to experience adverse reactions than adults.

Subsidence: Underground mining, including an intensive method known as longwall mining, leaves behind empty underground spaces which can collapse and cause the land above to sink. Known as subsidence, this process can cause serious structural damage to homes, buildings, and roads when the land collapses beneath them.

Mountaintop Removal Mining: This destructive mining method destroys habitat, eliminates forests, and damages local property. The government estimates that if this mining continues unabated in Appalachia it will destroy 1.4 million acres of land by 2020.

	*Exposure to toxics:* People are exposed to these wastes through contact with contaminated soils, inhaling polluted dust, and eating plants and animals that have been exposed. The single greatest threat of human exposure is from polluted groundwater and drinking waters sources. The toxins found in coal wastes have been linked to organ disease, increased cancer, respiratory illness, neurological damage, and developmental problems. Children who are exposed to coal combustion waste toxins are more likely to experience adverse reactions than adults.
	*Subsidence:* Underground mining, including an intensive method known as longwall mining, leaves behind empty underground spaces which can collapse and cause the land above to sink. Known as subsidence, this process can cause serious structural damage to homes, buildings, and roads when the land collapses beneath them.
	*Mountaintop Removal Mining:* This destructive mining method destroys habitat, eliminates forests, and damages local property. The government estimates that if this mining continues unabated in Appalachia it will destroy 1.4 million acres of land by 2020.