Most Americans are aware of the pollution hazards associated with the mining and burning of coal. The water contamination disaster unfolding in West Virginia highlights another hazard inherent in coal power: the chemical-intensive coal cleaning process.
Image:
The area of West Virginia where residents have been told not to use their tap water due to a coal-processing chemical spill. (Map from the West Virginia American Water website.)
Image Caption:
The area of West Virginia where residents have been told not to use their tap water due to a coal-processing chemical spill. (Map from the <a href="http://www.amwater.com/wvaw/about-us/news.html">West Virginia American Water website</a>.)
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