Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. 3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Coal itself isn’t a particularly toxic material. But after it’s burned, what remains in the ash includes lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and selenium, all in levels that may threaten human health. Statement 2 is correct: Thermal power plants produce large amounts of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide—the pollutants that cause acid rain—when they burn fossil fuels, especially coal, to produce energy. Statement 3 is correct: India’s domestic coal reserves have a high ash content—up to 40 to 45 percent.