Health in the Coalfields

Introduction

Fall of 2007, the Sludge Safety Project partnered with Wheeling Jesuit University in the EPA CARE Project: Community Action for a Renewed Environment.  These studies address the concerns that arose through a series of coalfield community meetings from Fall of 2007- Summer 2009.  The priority concern was well water contamination, and we have also included factsheets on soil and air to address those concerns.

If you have other studies or fact sheets to share on environmental impacts to health in the coalfields, please email info@sludgesafety.org

Studies

1. Early Deaths: West Virginians Have Some of the Shortest Life Expectancies in teh United States.  A Report by West Virginians for Affordable Health Care.  Based on a 2008 Report from Harvard Researchers.  Online at www.wvahc.org.
2. “Relations Between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia.”  Michael Hendryx, Ph.D., and Melissa M. Ahem, Ph.D. American Journal of Public Health.  April 2008, Vol. 98, No. 4.
3. “Hospitalization Patterns Associated with Appalachian Coal Mining.”  Michael Hendryx, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.  Taylor and Francis, 2008.  ISSN: 1528-7394 print/ 1087-2620 online.
4. Preliminary Toxicological Analysis of the Effect of Coal Slurry Impoundment Water on Human Liver Cells.  Joseph E. Bunnell.  U.S. Geological Survey.  U.S. Department of the Interior.  Open-File Report 2008-1143.  Reston, VA.  2008.

“Chemicals from this sludge could have contaminated the water in the mine and moved into the groundwater that is tapped by drilled wells in the area.”

1. Health Consultation: Williamson Sites. Williamson, Mingo County, West Virginia.  Barbara J. Smith, M.S.  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.  February 13, 2004.  Online at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/PHA/williamson/wil_p1.html.
2. Air Quality in Mining and Non-Mining Areas of West Virginia, April to June 2008. Prepared by Michael Hendryx, PhD; Jared Pomeroy; Michael Balistreri. Department of Community Medicine. West Virginia University. January 6, 2009
3. Medical Condition Causation Report. Concerning the residents of the communities of Rawl, Lick Creek, Sprigg, and Merrimac, West Virginia. July 6, 2007. Prepared by: Charles L. Werntz III, D.O., MPH, FACOEM. Assistant Clinical Professor. Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health. West Virginia University Department of Community Medicine.

Fact Sheets

1. Soil Fact Sheet
2. Air Fact Sheet
3. Water Quality Long Handout
4. Water Quality Short Handout
5. Water and Health Problems to Look for Near Sludge

Online Articles

• “Team Finds New Ways to Strip Mercury from Water.”The Sate Journal.  Paul Darst. Jauary 3, 2008.  Viewed online March 9, 2009 at www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=33130.
• “DEP Unsure if Coal Slurry Poisons Water Supplies: Agency to Ignore Deadline for Study.”Associated Press.  Charleston Gazette, February 7, 2009.  Online at www.wvgazette.com/News/200902070209.
•  Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water and Waste Management. Consent Order Issued Under Water Pollution Control Act.  Order No. M-08-023.  Regarding Consolidation Coal Company.  September 18, 2008.  1300% Exceedence of Arsenic Limits (or acrylamide!)
•  2007 CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances.  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.  Viewed March 9, 2009 online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cercla/07list.html. 
• Coal Slurry: Geochemistry and Impacts on Human Health and Environmental Quality.  Power Point Presentation.  William H. Orem, Ph.D.  United States Geological Survey.  Contact: borem@usgs.gov.  Viewed online March 9, 2009 at www.sludgesafety.org/misc/wm_orem_powerpoint/
• Well Water Quality in the Vicinity of a Coal Slurry Impoundment Near Williamson, West Virginia.  Ben M. Stout III, Ph.D.  Wheeling Jesuit University. December 10, 2004.  Online at www.sludgesafety.org/what_me_worry/wju_report.pdf.