The health impact of geochemical alterations associated with coal resource development in midwestern U.S.A.

It is projected that over the next 5 years surface coal mining in the United States will increase drastically. Because coal is a dirty fuel, mining and other geochemical changes in the environment may lead to increased health hazards. An epidemiologic study of possible risk factors associated with these geochemical alterations is presented. Mortality data and water quality data are analyzed and presented in the form of computer generated maps. A predictive model for use by the Environmental Protection Agency pertaining to the identification and control of pollutants is discussed.