The use of fly ash in building materials diverts millions of tons of ash from the landfills each year, increases the constructability and durability of concrete and brick, partially replaces energy-intensive Portland cement, and is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system as a post-industrial recycled material.
On the other hand, environmentalists question whether the industry has enough testing data to conclusively determine that this byproduct of power-producing coal combustion is environmentally safe….. Read more
Tag Archives: Health
Coal Ash: Its Origin, Disposal, Use and Potential Health Issues
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)
Summary of Reports on Leachability of Trace Metal Elements from EcoSmart Concrete
Summarizes results of two papers that investigated leaching of trace minerals from Canadian and US fly ashes and from concretes containing these fly ashes. The two papers referenced are available from the American Concrete Institute.
Technical Report Author: Benoit Fournier