Mountaintop Removal Research Paper
Mountaintop Removal: Effects on Human Health and the Environment
Shilpi Chhotray
Mountaintop removal site, Virginia.1
1
(2008) Mountaintop Removal Mining: An Overview. Sierra Club. Sept. 2008 .
1
Abstract
This paper will examine the detrimental effects of the extraction of coal by the practice of mountaintop removal in American Appalachia. First, the process of mountaintop removal will be presented in order to understand the extent of the devastation it brings to mountaintop removal sites. It will then discuss the effects of mountaintop removal on human health, the environment, and community well-being. The remainder of the paper will examine the Surface Mining Coal and Reclamation …show more content…
(2002). Health impacts of coal and coal use: possible solutions. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 425443.
16
Finkelman, RB, Orem, W, Castranova, V, Tatu, CA, Belkin, HE, Zheng, BS, Lerch, HE, Maharaj, SV, & Bates,
AL. (2002). Health impacts of coal and coal use: possible solutions. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 425443.
6
people have drowned in the past three years.17 In Kentucky, 50 residents have been killed and over 500 injured in the last five years by overloaded coal trucks.18 One of the more violent outcomes of mountaintop removal was the death of Jeremy Davidson, a 3-year-old from the town of Appalachia, Virginia.19 A bulldozer operating without a permit dislodged a massive boulder which rolled down the mountain and eventually crushed the child in his sleep; the mining company called it “an act of God” and was fined only 15,000 dollars.20
Effects on the environment:
The environment has taken a significant toll from the effects of mountaintop removal mining. A detrimental by-product of mountaintop removal mining is mine spoil valley fills.21
Because mountain removal generates huge amounts of waste, these fills often result in
Shilpi Chhotray
Mountaintop removal site, Virginia.1
1
(2008) Mountaintop Removal Mining: An Overview. Sierra Club. Sept. 2008 .
1
Abstract
This paper will examine the detrimental effects of the extraction of coal by the practice of mountaintop removal in American Appalachia. First, the process of mountaintop removal will be presented in order to understand the extent of the devastation it brings to mountaintop removal sites. It will then discuss the effects of mountaintop removal on human health, the environment, and community well-being. The remainder of the paper will examine the Surface Mining Coal and Reclamation …show more content…
(2002). Health impacts of coal and coal use: possible solutions. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 425443.
16
Finkelman, RB, Orem, W, Castranova, V, Tatu, CA, Belkin, HE, Zheng, BS, Lerch, HE, Maharaj, SV, & Bates,
AL. (2002). Health impacts of coal and coal use: possible solutions. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 425443.
6
people have drowned in the past three years.17 In Kentucky, 50 residents have been killed and over 500 injured in the last five years by overloaded coal trucks.18 One of the more violent outcomes of mountaintop removal was the death of Jeremy Davidson, a 3-year-old from the town of Appalachia, Virginia.19 A bulldozer operating without a permit dislodged a massive boulder which rolled down the mountain and eventually crushed the child in his sleep; the mining company called it “an act of God” and was fined only 15,000 dollars.20
Effects on the environment:
The environment has taken a significant toll from the effects of mountaintop removal mining. A detrimental by-product of mountaintop removal mining is mine spoil valley fills.21
Because mountain removal generates huge amounts of waste, these fills often result in