Millions of tons of coal ash are produced worldwide each year. EPRI and others have done extensive studies over many years of the nature of coal ash and its possible effects on the environment and human health. This Environmental Focus feature summarizes this information applicable regulations that govern the handling and use of coal ash and the benefits that can result from its use. EPRI concludes that the health risks from coal ash are minimal that the general public does not encounter coal ash in such proportions that it would present health risks and that radiation from fly ash and products made with fly ash is well below the Environmental Protection Agency s action standards. Further EPRI argues that use of fly ash as a recycled material can have economically and environmentally beneficial results.
Technical Report Author: Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)