Study estimates health impact of coal based power plants in India

Emissions from coal based power plants in India are having a catastrophic effect on morbidity and mortality, a recent study shows.1

The study—conducted jointly by Urban Emissions, the Conservation Action Trust, and Greenpeace India—assessed a database of emissions from 111 coal based, thermal power stations across India, having a cumulative generation capacity of 121 GW.2

The study report1 estimated that emissions from coal fired power plants led to 80 000 to 115 000 premature deaths in 2011-12. Two thirds of India’s electricity is …