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Impact of Coal-fired Power Plant Emissions on Children’s Health: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Literature

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  • Eric Amster

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Haifa School of Public Health, Haifa 3498838, Israel
    Department of Occupational Medicine, Meuhedet Healthcare Organization, Tel Aviv 6777401, Israel)

  • Clara Lew Levy

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Haifa School of Public Health, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

Abstract

Coal-based energy production is the most utilized method of electricity production worldwide and releases the highest concentration of gaseous, particulate, and metallic pollutants. This article aims to systematically review the public health impact of coal-fired power plant emissions on children’s health. PubMed, Web of Science, and Toxline databases were queried for the past 20 years. Inclusion criteria included original scientific articles with (a) coal-fired power plant exposure assessment, (b) at least one primary pediatric health outcome, and (c) assessment of potential sources of confounding and bias. Only morbidity and mortality studies were included; economic analysis and risk assessment studies without a primary health outcome were not included. Of 513 articles initially retrieved, 17 epidemiological articles were included in the final systematic review after screening and eligibility. The articles reviewed showed a statistically significant adverse effect on pediatric neurodevelopment; birth weight and pediatric respiratory morbidity was associated with exposure to coal-fired power plant emissions, primarily particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbon exposure. There is a lack of consistency of exposure assessment and inadequate control of significant potential confounders such as social economic status. Future research should focus on improving exposure assessment models with an emphasis on source-apportionment and geographic information system methods to model power plant-specific emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Amster & Clara Lew Levy, 2019. "Impact of Coal-fired Power Plant Emissions on Children’s Health: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:11:p:2008-:d:237450
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muzhe Yang & Rhea A. Bhatta & Shin‐Yi Chou & Cheng‐I Hsieh, 2017. "The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Power Plant Emissions on Birth Weight: Evidence from a Pennsylvania Power Plant Located Upwind of New Jersey," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(3), pages 557-583, June.
    2. Yu Jin Kim & In Gyu Song & Kyoung-Nam Kim & Min Sun Kim & Sung-Hoon Chung & Yong-Sung Choi & Chong-Woo Bae, 2019. "Maternal Exposure to Particulate Matter during Pregnancy and Adverse Birth Outcomes in the Republic of Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Lucijan Mohorovic & Oleg Petrovic & Herman Haller & Vladimir Micovic, 2010. "Pregnancy Loss and Maternal Methemoglobin Levels: An Indirect Explanation of the Association of Environmental Toxics and Their Adverse Effects on the Mother and the Fetus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Fabio Barbone & Dolores Catelan & Riccardo Pistelli & Gabriele Accetta & Daniele Grechi & Franca Rusconi & Annibale Biggeri, 2019. "A Panel Study on Lung Function and Bronchial Inflammation among Children Exposed to Ambient SO 2 from an Oil Refinery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Judy Y. Ou & Heidi A. Hanson & Joemy M. Ramsay & Claire L. Leiser & Yue Zhang & James A. VanDerslice & C. Arden Pope & Anne C. Kirchhoff, 2019. "Fine Particulate Matter and Respiratory Healthcare Encounters among Survivors of Childhood Cancers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
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    3. Weijiang Liu & Min Liu & Tingting Liu & Yangyang Li & Yizhe Hao, 2022. "Does a Recycling Carbon Tax with Technological Progress in Clean Electricity Drive the Green Economy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, February.

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