The Unseen Toll: Quantifying the Public Health Crisis from Coal-Fired Power Plants in India

Abstract India's economic trajectory is inextricably linked to its energy consumption, a majority of which is fueled by coal. While vital for development, this reliance has precipitated a severe public health crisis. This review synthesizes existing evidence to delineate the health impacts of emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in India, with a specific focus on Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Particulate Matter (PM₂.₅), and other toxic pollutants. We identify key geographical emission hotspots and the demographic profiles of the most vulnerable populations. Our analysis reveals that states in the coal belt, such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, along with industrial zones in Gujarat and Maharashtra, bear a disproportionate health burden. Pollutants from CFPPs are strongly linked to increased incidence of ischemic heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, stroke, and adverse birth outcomes. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and socio-economically disadvantaged communities living in proximity to these plants, suffer the most significant impacts. The chronic failure to implement stringent emission control technologies, such as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), exacerbates this crisis. This paper concludes that addressing the health consequences of coal power is a public health imperative that requires urgent regulatory enforcement, a strategic transition towards cleaner energy sources, and targeted healthcare interventions in high-risk zones. Keywords Coal Power, Air Pollution, Public Health, India, Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), PM₂.₅, Environmental Justice, Respiratory Diseases.