TVA reported that it sells about a third of the 7 million tons of toxic material it generates at its coal plants each year. Those who purchase the coal byproducts say using it can reduce cost and improve quality of concrete.

However, critics worry about the safety of coal ash in the environment. Coal ash contains dangerous toxins, including arsenic, lead, chromium, manganese and barium. Those materials carry potential health problems such as cancer, liver damage and neurological complications, which has heightened concerns of environmentalists and those living in the east Tennessee neighborhood where the spill occurred.

A TVA marketing spokesperson says that up to 70 percent of coal ash is made up of silica, or sand. Twenty percent is aluminum compounds and the remaining 10 percent is sulfur and iron, arguing that the toxicity is minimal and in such small concentrations that it should not be harmful. Mike McDonald with the American Coal Ash Association added that coal ash “is about as toxic as dirt.”

A congressional committee meets this week to discuss federal regulation of coal byproducts.

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › TVA sells coal ash to companies for building supplies, crop soil