Significant Decline in Children’s Asthma ER Visits After Coal Plant Closure

Three years have passed since a coal plant in the Pittsburgh area permanently shut down, and research shows that visits to the emergency room related to asthma among children have plummeted by over 41%.

The Shenango Coke Works in Avalon, which closed in 2016 after considerable public protest, had operated for more than 50 years. This facility was responsible for manufacturing a type of coal known as “coke,” primarily used in steel production.

Coke plants are notorious for emitting harmful pollutants such as benzene, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can significantly impact health.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the closure of the plant has led to notable improvements in the health of nearby children.

The researchers indicated, as reported by Philly Voice, that “Our findings add to the growing body of evidence” on the health benefits that come from reducing emissions from fossil fuels, which appear to be significant both in the short and long term.

Additionally, there was a 20.5% decrease in respiratory-related visits among the general population after the plant’s closure, along with long-term reductions in hospitalizations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

These results come at a time when communities worldwide are moving away from coal. For example, the U.K. closed its last coal plant in September 2024. Meanwhile, a coal town in Utah is transforming into a clean energy hub with the development of a hydrogen-capable power plant.

In a conversation with Inside Climate News, George Thurston, a professor at New York University’s School of Medicine, noted that the pollution from coke production is exceptionally harmful. He compared it to “coal-fired power plant particles, but on steroids.”

But he also pointed out that the health risks from these plants reflect a more extensive danger posed by all forms of dirty energy, which include oil and natural gas.

Thurston highlighted how ubiquitous this pollution is, stating, “We’re all exposed to it every single day.” He elaborated on how we encounter it through daily activities, whether driving or traveling in urban areas. Carrying an air monitor, he’s observed these exposures firsthand.

Shifting away from coal doesn’t merely enhance air quality; it also helps mitigate climate change, with dirty energy sources contributing over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations.

The study’s authors concluded that the observed immediate benefits to respiratory health align with the reduction of airway irritants, suggesting potential long-term recovery of lung function following the plant’s closure. They noted that the improvements in lung health due to reduced fossil fuel pollution are comparable to those experienced by smokers with asthma after quitting.