Emission standards and control of PM2.5 from coal-fired power plants, CCC/267

ABSTRACT

Pollutant emissions from coal combustion are always a concern. The coal industry faces stringent emission regulations to limit the release of SO2, NOx, toxic volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and particulate matter (PM). PM can contain any or all of the aforementioned chemical species or their compounds, plus water and biogenic organic species. PM2.5, or fine PM (particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter), cause not only air pollution but also human respiratory and heart disease and cancer. PM2.5 is the major component of smog in China. Control of PM2.5 emissions and their precursors from coal-fired power plant is necessary to mitigate the environmental and health impacts, especially in countries where coal is the main energy source for power generation, such as China, India and South Africa.