how bad is fly ash?

from TVA's management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations...

"Fly ash is a by-product of a coal-fired plant. It is a gray material with a consistency similar to flour. It is made up mostly of silica, similar to sand. Though the ash itself is inert, it may contain trace amounts of other substances that occur naturally in coal, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and selenium. It is used in building products such as cement, mortar, stucco, and grout. It also is used in some potting soils and as a soil conditioner. TVA has sold fly ash commercially."

then go on to read a study involving CFA (coal fly ash) and rats...

"Exposure to CFA [coal fly ash] is a health concern because coal is a major power source used world wide, especially in developing countries such as China and India, and human exposure to particulate matter is associated with increased respiratory and cardiac disease.^"


here are a few articles involving CFA usage and its effects on communities.

400 residents sue Dominion, developer over fly-ash site

whats wrong on tobacco road?

angry residents grill officals about coal ash

let me know if CFA is something you want used for construction of your homes, road ways, etc.?
this is where your power comes from. coal. when its burned, it creates this ash. what do you suggest be done with it?


credit: this grandmother is clearly hard at work digging up the "dirt" (no pun intended) on CFA lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com and it reveals a whole new side of the coal issue to me daily. thank you!