The coal storage sites are similar to the one at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston, Tennessee, coal-firing plant which last December burst, sending more than a billion gallons on to 300 acres of a neighboring community. While the wave of toxic material did not harm anyone initially, it destroyed homes and damaged property in its wake.

Coal ash contains dangerous toxins such as arsenic and lead, which have been associated with serious health concerns such as cancer and liver damage. Several individuals who have been affected by the east Tennessee spill have reported heightened respiratory problems and anxiety issues. A few, including a toddler, have tested positive for heavy metal in their blood.

While the TVA is undergoing a near-$1 billion clean-up of the area, residents and environmentalists say it is impossible to restore the land to is previous luster and safety.

North Carolina has the most coal storage ponds on the EPA’s list of sites to inspect. The largest concentration is Cochise, Arizona, where seven storage ponds are located. The EPA has inspected about half of the 44 sites and plans to issue reports on their status soon.

Source: Associated Press

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › EPA rates 44 coal ash storage sites as ‘high hazard potential’