Coal-fired power plants affect air quality by releasing sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particles and hazardous air pollutants. Some pollution also forms after emissions enter the atmosphere: NOx helps create ground-level ozone and fine-particle pollution, while SO2 contributes to fine particles. Exposure to elevated ozone and fine-particle levels can aggravate heart and lung disease and contribute to serious health effects. This article focuses on evidence and emissions data from the United States; those figures and programs should not be assumed to apply to other countries.
What coal-fired power plants release
Coal combustion releases several pollutants that affect air quality. EPA identifies coal-fired power plants as a primary source of sulfur dioxide. Power plants also emit nitrogen oxides, particles and hazardous air pollutants, including mercury.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pollution emitted directly
Some pollutants leave a plant’s smokestack in the form in which they can affect air. These include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particles and hazardous air pollutants. The amount and mix depend on the facility and its emissions controls; a regional or national trend does not describe every individual unit.
Pollution formed in the atmosphere
Emissions can react in the air and form pollutants downwind. Nitrogen oxides contribute to ground-level ozone and fine-particle pollution. Sulfur dioxide contributes to fine particles. As a result, the health effects of a plant’s emissions are not limited to what is emitted directly at the stack or to land immediately beside the facility.
#1 Best Overall
- Know your air – An Alexa air quality monitor that makes it easy to understand what’s in your indoor air.
- Track and measure – Our indoor air quality monitor keeps tabs on 5 key factors: particulate matter (PM 2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), humidity, and temperature.
- Stay informed – Get an indication of current indoor air quality from the color-coded LED, and detailed information and an easy-to-understand air quality score in the Alexa app.
- Real-time alerts - Get notifications on your phone or announcements on Echo devices when Alexa detects poor indoor air quality.
- Automate climate control - Enable Routines to turn on or off your compatible Alexa devices, such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans, when the indoor air quality sensors detect changes.
Mercury and carbon dioxide are different pathways
Mercury is a hazardous pollutant that can affect brain and nervous-system function, particularly in infants and children. Some mercury released to the atmosphere is deposited into the environment and can accumulate in fish, creating an exposure route for people and wildlife that eat fish. This is distinct from the ozone and fine-particle pathway.
Coal plants also emit carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. That climate effect is important, but it is not the same as local ambient air pollution from ozone, particles or air toxics.
Rank #2
- 【16-in-1 Air Quality Monitor Indoor】Experience the ultimate indoor air quality monitoring with our 16-in-1 Air Quality Monitor, offering real-time detection of 9 key parameters including CO2, PM2.5, PM1.0, PM10, HCHO, TVOC, Temperature, Humidity, AQI, and Time. With 7 distinct AQI alert buzzers, this air quality tester ensures your family breathes with ease.(*Note: "16-in-1" refers to the combination of 9 key detectable parameters and 7 types of AQI alert buzzers.)
- 【Crystal Clear 7-inch Large Display】Enjoy a 7-inch LED display for sharp, clear air quality readings. Provides an instant, comprehensive view of your indoor air without navigating through menus, with three brightness settings for any lighting condition
- 【External High-Precision Sensors with 0.001 Accuracy】Equipped with advanced external high-precision sensors, this device delivers unmatched accuracy (0.001 units) by directly sampling the air. Its innovative multi-sensor array and enhanced airflow design detect even the slightest environmental changes, allowing for instant response and optimal safety. (*Note: Avoid touching the sensors or exposing them to perfumes/strong odors to maintain accuracy.)
- 【Real-Time AQI Alert Buzzers】Our air quality monitor provides real-time monitoring and alerts for pollutants like CO2, PM2.5, PM1.0, PM10, HCHO, TVOC, Temperature, Humidity, and AQI, with 7 distinct alert functions. Stay informed with clear alerts and rest easy with a mute button to silence alarms. Your health and comfort are our priority. Toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius instantly with a double-press of the "Power" button on this air quality detector.
- 【Up to 8 Hours of Runtime & Flexible USB-C Charging】 Enjoy up to 8 hours of continuous air quality monitoring on a full charge. The USB-C charging interface offers flexible power options and is compatible with widely available USB-C cables, while the included AC adapter provides convenient charging at home. Designed for effortless monitoring wherever you need it—from bedrooms and living spaces to your car and beyond.
How exposure can affect health
EPA identifies elevated ozone and fine-particle concentrations as pollutants that aggravate heart and lung disease. Its health-effects summary links exposure to outcomes including heart attacks, asthma attacks, stroke and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. It also discusses premature deaths, new asthma cases or exacerbations, and missed school or work days.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
These are health effects associated with exposure to the pollutants; they are not estimates of illness or deaths caused by a particular coal plant. The amount of exposure varies by place and time, and other sources contribute to air pollution as well.
Rank #3
- High Accuracy & Fast Refresh Data: With this smart sensor, the PM2.5 accuracy is ±15 µg/m³ while temperature and humidity accuracies are ±0.54°F and ±3%RH.The two-second correction data feature shows the latest changes in PM2.5, temperature, and humidity.Keep sensor clear for accurate detection.
- Multifunctional Air Quality Detector: The GoveeLife Air Quality Monitor conveniently measures 3 important indexes for indoor air quality, including PM2.5, temperature, and humidity.
- Switchable Display: Press the top button for the clock & PM2.5 display. Long press for 2 seconds to switch to bright screen mode & night mode. The LED indicator displays 4 levels of ambient air quality. 2.4G Wi-Fi is required to display the time.
- Connect with GoveeHome Appliances: Set your target air quality and link with your other GoveeHome smart appliances. GoveeLife air purifiers, humidifiers, and space heaters will turn on and off automatically when the indoor air quality changes.
- H5106 needs to be connected to a power source and supports GoveeLife devices: Smart Air Purifiers - H7126, H7120, H7124, H712C, H7122, H7123; Humidifiers - H7140; Fans - H7100, H7102
How far pollution can travel
Power-plant pollution can affect communities far from the facility. EPA notes that air pollution can travel long distances, so emissions may have local and downwind impacts. Pollutants formed through atmospheric reactions may also affect places away from the original source.
That does not mean every pollutant measured in a nearby community came from the closest coal plant. Local air quality can reflect multiple sources, and proximity by itself does not establish a person’s exposure or health risk.
Rank #4
- MULTIFUNCTION MONITORING: This indoor air quality monitor provides real-time monitoring of 11 crucial indexes including AQI, CO2, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, Particles, HCHO, TVOC, temperature and humidity, dual alert system-visual and audible. Life Basis air quality monitor keeps you informed of current air quality levels at all times to guarantee the breath quality of your family
- HIGH-PRECISOIN SMART SENSOR: The air quality meter is equipped with NDIR infrared carbon dioxide sensor, laser particle sensor, semiconductor sensor, photoelectric sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, which responds quickly and sensitively, and provide accurate indoor air concentration
- COLOR AND SOUND ALERT: The color of the icon corresponding to a single gas changes according to the gas concentration, which are Good(Green), Moderate Pollution(Yellow), Poor (Orange), Abnormal(Red) four grades. When the Normal is exceeded, the device will emit a ticking alert sound, the indicator light will flash continuously and the interface color will change.
- CLEAR DISPLAY SETTINGS: Life Basis Air Quality Monitor has a LCD screen display, each data is clear with color reminder , easy to understand. The screen brightness can be adjusted according to your needs, allowing you to understand the indoor air quality at a glance
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Equipped with a 2500mAh battery and Type-C Charging Port, easy to use and portable. Our air quality monitor provides up to 11-12 hours of continuous use on a full charge.
What recent US emissions data show
EPA’s emissions comparisons distinguish among coal-facility emission rates, power-sector emissions and coal generation. Those measures answer different questions and cover different periods:
Recommended Free Tools
| Measure | EPA-reported change | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Coal-facility SO2 emission rates | Improved 7% from 2022 to 2023 | EPA’s 2024 release describes emission-rate changes at coal facilities; this is not a 7% reduction in power-sector SO2 emissions. |
| Coal-facility NOx emission rates | Improved 3% from 2022 to 2023 | EPA’s 2024 release describes emission-rate changes at coal facilities; this is not a 3% reduction in power-sector NOx emissions. |
| Annual power-sector SO2 emissions | Decreased 96% from 1990 to 2023 | This is a power-sector comparison, not a coal-only figure. |
| Annual power-sector NOx emissions | Decreased 90% from 1990 to 2023 | This is a power-sector comparison, not a coal-only figure. |
| Coal generation during the ozone season | Declined 3% in 2024 compared with 2023 | This is a generation comparison for the ozone season, not a measure of emissions or a full-year comparison. |
These numbers describe emissions or generation, not health outcomes. EPA’s 2024 comparisons page also includes annual and ozone-season comparisons for 2023 and 2024, facility-level changes from 2009 to 2024, and coal-fired unit characteristics and control data for 2024. Unit-level conclusions require consulting the underlying data and matching the pollutant, facility, period and measure.
Best Value
- ALWAYS-ON AIR QUALITY SENSORS: WiFi connected indoor air quality monitor measuring radon gas, PM2.5 (air pollution detector), carbon dioxide (CO2), VOCs (airborne such as kitchen gases, fumes and cleaning products), humidity, temperature, and air pressure. The monitor requires the Airthings app to function. Operating Temperature 4 to 40°C / 39 to 104°F.Sensor type: Electrochemical
- ACCURATE DIGITAL RADON DETECTOR: Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills more than 6x the number of people than home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning combined.
- SMART AIR QUALITY MONITORS YOU CAN TRUST: With 15 years of experience in indoor radon and air quality monitoring, Airthings has established trust among over 1,000,000 users who rely on its smart monitors for understanding and controlling their air health. An account is required to use the device, which only requires providing your email and name.
- CONTINOUS MONITORING: Check your live data anytime and receive timely air quality notifications wherever you are. Track pollutants and contaminants before they become a problem with this always-on indoor radon gas, VOC, CO2, PM2.5 air quality monitor. The monitor and app both require internet access, with data saved securely in the cloud for seamless tracking and analysis.
- FREE & FRIENDLY APP: Use the Airthings app to check current air quality readings and analyze trends over time. Get timely notifications and tips to improve your air. Check your local pollen forecast with data from Breezometer.
Why emissions have fallen—and what controls do
EPA attributes power-sector emission reductions to a combination of installed pollution controls, more consistent operation of controls, switching to lower-emitting fuels and other emissions-reduction measures. Regional and state programs also contributed to NOx reductions, so changes should not be attributed to a single rule or technology without supporting evidence for the specific facility and period.
EPA identifies the Acid Rain Program, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and related updates, and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards among the programs addressing power-sector SO2, NOx and hazardous air pollutants. A control’s effects depend on the pollutant it targets and whether it is installed and operating; a general program description does not establish the performance of a particular unit.
What community maps can—and cannot—tell you
EPA’s Power Plants and Neighboring Communities tool characterizes communities that may be exposed to power-plant pollution. EPA explicitly says the tool does not evaluate air-quality impacts or quantify potential health risk. A map can help identify communities for further attention, but it cannot determine an individual’s exposure, diagnose a health condition or show that a particular plant caused it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
