Health Risks of Toxic Emissions from a Coal-Fired Power Plant

This report is the fifth in a series dealing with the human health risks of toxic substances emitted by coal-fired power plants. It summarizes two earlier studies that examined selenium and beryllium discharges from a power plant in Pennsylvania (the Montour Steam Electric Station operated by Pennsylvania Power and Light Company). The authors extend the earlier analysis to include calculation of pollutant exposure associated with consumption of animal and vegetable products raised in the region surrounding the Montour plant. Specifically, they calculate how much the incidence of cancer and selenosis might increase in the regional population that consumes drinking water or fish from the Susquehanna River or any of several animal or vegetable products raised in the region. The results indicate that Montour selenium and beryllium discharges should have a negligible effect on the incidence of selenosis and cancer in the regional population.