Research Poster 36 x 48 - C

1
18. Impacts of Mineral Resource Extraction The
Effects of Coal and Asbestos Residues on Human
Health
Created by Kacey McCallister
HEALTH CONCERNS AND EFFECTS
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Inhaled Black Lung Diseases (Figure2) -From
mining coal -Blackens lungs like that of a
smoker Asbestosis -Due to close everyday
contact (mining/production) -Shortness of
breath/gradual hardening of the
lungs Mesoteliomas (Figure3) -Due to everyday
exposure -Cancer due to asbestos Consumed Arsen
ic poisoning (Figure4) -Due to drying crops
with coal -Symptoms range from vomiting,
diarrhea, and headaches, to kidney, liver and
lung problems, as well as sever skin
disease Fluoride poisoning (Figure5) -Due to
pregnant mothers consuming crops dried with coal
-Severe bone and teeth abnormalities
The coal that we have here in the United States
has different properties and internal components
than the kind we find in China. In America, we
find the greatest problems from coal come in the
mining process (Figure 1). In other places,
the danger comes not from the mining of the coal,
but from the content that is released from
burning of the coal for drying of crops. Causing
problems, not only for the people using the dried
products, but also for future generations. Other
minerals that are known for their destructive
nature to the human body through means of
breathing is asbestos. This is mainly found in
those who mine the mineral, but there is also
potential risk to those exposed to it through
consumer channels.
Coal and fibrous minerals have many adverse
health effects in those individuals
that encounter them through mining, industrial
processing, or domestic use. Certain coals that
are found in China are used to dry crops such as
corn and peppers, as well as in cooking.
Unfortunately, the coal that is available in that
region contains high amounts of arsenic and
fluoride. Exposure leads to many health issues
such as decay of the teeth, bowed and crippled
limbs, and scaly skin. Another mineral resource
with direct and harmful side effects is asbestos.
Asbestos minerals tend towards a fibrous habit
that is very dangerous to the body because of
their ability to enter into the lungs and alter
cell function. Those afflicted with respiratory
illnesses slowly find it harder to breath because
of tissue hardening over time. This paper
examines the effects of mineral resource
extraction and the effects of the environment on
human health
Figure1 Coal mining
Figure 4 Hyperkeretosis from arsenic poisoning
Figure 2 Black Lung Disease
CASE STUDY
In the Guizhou providence in China, it is common
to dry crops over an open coal fire. The coal
that is used is high in arsenic and fluoride. For
example, fresh chili peppers have less than 1
part per million (ppm) of arsenic. Whereas, when
it is dried over the high arsenic coal it can
have as much as 500 ppm arsenic. This causes
severe hyperkeretosis (Figure 4) which is a
severe decaying of the skin. Problems from
arsenic pale when compared with the medical
problems associated with fluoride. More than 10
million people in the Guizhou Providence and
surrounding areas suffer from various forms of
fluorosis and coal combustion. Typical signs of
fluorosis include mottling of tooth enamel,
osteosclerosis, limited movement of the joints,
and outward manifestations such as knock-knees,
bowlegs, and spinal curvature (Figure 5).
Figure 3 Asbestos exposed lung
Figure 5 Deformation due to fluoride
SO WHAT
1. Coal is a useful fuel for many of the worlds
population. Yet, there are many concerns that
arise in the production and use of this
fossilized plant matter. 2. Asbestos is a
very useful building material because of its
resistance to heat. Even though it is so useful
it has very harmful health effects. This is
because of the extremely long and thin
construction of the crystals, which allows for
easy entry into the lungs. (Figure 7).
GEOLOGIC PROCESS
Coal is generated from the compacting and
condensing of organic matter. Most of it comes
from swamp material that has been compacted over
many years. Eventually, with layer upon layer,
the biomass builds until it eventually begins to
compact down. This process also requires heat and
most importantly time (Figure 6). Asbestos is
created through the same process as other
crystals go through (Figure 7). Slowly growing
inside other types of rocks. Commonly found in
three rock types serpentinites, altered
ultramafic rocks, and some mafic rocks. Other
factors in the growing and formation of the
mineral is faulting and fracturing of the host
rock. The deposits can be anywhere from small
vein like deposits, to areas that can be
successfully mined (Figure 8).
CONTACT
REFERENCES
Name Kacey McCallister Major
Intergraded Science Ed. Email kmccallister08_at_wou.
edu
http//www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/
finkleman_etal_2003.pdf http//www.wou.edu/las/phy
sci/taylor/g473/med_geo/finkleman_2007.pdf http//
www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/hillerd
al_2003.pdf http//www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g
473/med_geo/orem_etal_2007.pdf http//www.wou.edu/
las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/robbins_2003.pdf ht
tp//www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/wa
ng_etal_2006.pdf
Figure 8 Commercial product Of Asbestos
Figure 6 Formation of coal
Figure 7 Crystalline of Asbestos