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.
Environmental and Health Impact of Fly ash
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.