Final answer:
Coal combustion leads to the production of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and ash which contribute to environmental and health issues. However, byproducts such as captured ash can be repurposed for industrial uses. Efforts to reduce the negative impacts of coal use include cleaner combustion technologies and the reuse of byproducts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When coal is burned, it leaves behind several byproducts which can be of environmental concern as well as of potential use in various industries. The burning of coal produces various emissions such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury, which contribute to environmental problems like acid rain, smog, and health issues. The most significant byproduct of coal combustion is carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
Beyond these gaseous emissions, coal combustion generates ash, which contains contaminants that can affect water quality. However, technologies such as scrubbers can capture some of these waste products, allowing them to be reused in making materials like cement and synthetic gypsum for wallboard. Additionally, coal mining and burning affect human health, with particulates from coal contributing to respiratory illnesses and coal workers' pneumoconiosis.
Despite the challenges associated with coal's use, it remains a widely utilized source of energy due to its abundance and the potential energy stored within it. However, to harness this energy, coal must be mined, processed, and combusted, which has significant environmental impacts, though efforts are underway to produce cleaner coal and to minimize its environmental footprint.