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Environmental and Health Impact of Fly ash

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Air pollution has increased significantly in almost all the regions of India in the past few years, and most of it is accounted for by industries and power plants. Power plants and many industries release their byproduct into the atmosphere which may constitute harmful gases, fly ash, etc. In recent times many cases have been reported in India where fly ash from the thermal power plants is getting carried out by air in the nearby villages and causing air and water pollution also leading to the death of many aquatic creatures. Recently a case was reported in Kosasthalaiyar where ash carrying pipeline of the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) leaked and resulted in severe water pollution. 

According to a report in 2018-19 only 78% of the total fly ash produced in India has been utilized. 

What is Fly Ash and why its Hazardous?

Fly ash is a grayish powdered compound with spherical glassy particles, that is produced as a by-product in coal-powered thermal power stations. Fly ash is formed when the coal is being pulverized and blown into the hot combustion chamber generating heat and fly ash as a molten residue. This fly ash consists of heavy toxic metals such as cobalt, copper, lead, and arsenic. The heavy metals and other toxic compounds in the flash has a hazardous impact on human health and can even turn deadly for some aquatic creatures it’s being dumped into ponds and lakes. In thermal power plants and other industries, electrostatic precipitators and scrubbers are used to capture the fly ash. However, if it’s missed by this pollution control equipment, then it makes its way through the chimney and goes into the atmosphere. Inhaling fly ash can cause serious health issues such as breathing issues, cough, eyes and skin infection, etc.

During combustion in thermal powerplants, 90% of coal is utilized for energy generation and 10% is being collected as a residue in the form of fly ash.

Major Health and Environmental Hazards Caused by Fly Ash:

  • Toxic compounds and heavy metals present in the fly ash can serious health issues like lung cancer, and neurological damage, and can even lead to premature mortality.
  • When fly ash is disposed of in lakes, ponds, or rivers it can cause serious illness to the people living in the nearby villages and can even turn fatal for some of the aquatic creatures.
  • The flash released from the coal-fired power plants is one of the primary reasons for the air pollution in India.
  • Also if the untreated fly ash is directly disposed of underground then, it can make soil infertile and can soil pollution.
  • Higher disposal of fly ash on the grounds retards the recharging of groundwater.

The Current Outlook of India on Fly-Ash Disposal:

India has been making consistent efforts to reduce fly ash disposal in the atmosphere and create safe disposal methods. But still, it seems like, India is still lagging in the safe disposal of fly ash, as many many cases are being reported in the country where people or animals get to suffer from serious illnesses due to inhaling fly ash. In India, there are around 285 coal-powered thermal power plants, which produce more than 217 million tonnes of fly ash each year and out of which only 168 tonnes are being utilized by other Industries. Thus for the safe disposal of more than 50 million tonnes of fly ash, a proper disposal method is required. 

Initiatives of Govt. to Control Fly-Ash Related Issues:

  • The GOI has launched a web portal and a mobile application called Ash-track to track and ensure 100% utilization of fly ash produced from thermal power plants.
  • The Indian government is now heading towards green hydrogen, as the main fuel to generate electricity, as it’s a cleaner fuel and has zero carbon footprints, and produces no ash.
  • The government is also organizing events and programs and encouraging people to develop new techniques on fly ash utilization.
  • The government of India has also asked NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) to develop a continuous transportation system that directly delivers fly ash produced from thermal power plants to the cement industries.

Last Updated : 25 Oct, 2022
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