Ammonium Nitrate used by Coal companies to blow up mountains for Coal use Ammonium Nitrate.
By: Laura Flanders from The Nation on May 7, 2013 – 8:51 AM ET
Investigators are blaming ammonium nitrate for the massive explosion. One that devastated most of the town of West, Texas, on April 17. The chemical was stored in large amounts at the West Fertilizer Co. Essentially where it is commonly used to produce fertilizer, a vital component for agriculture. However, this same compound has other, more hazardous applications. It is also utilized by coal companies to blow up mountains for mining purposes, which raises environmental concerns.
The tragic events of that fateful day not only remind us of the inherent dangers associated with ammonium nitrate. Especially when improperly handled. But they also highlight the duality of its uses in both agricultural and industrial sectors. Such incidents underline the urgent need for stricter regulations and safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future. This has prompted discussions about the balance between agricultural effectiveness and public safety.
However, this same compound has other, more hazardous applications. Essentially as it is also utilized by coal companies to blow up mountains for mining purposes, which raises environmental concerns. The tragic events of that fateful day not only remind us of the inherent dangers associated with ammonium nitrate. Especially when improperly handled. However, they also highlight the duality of its uses in both agricultural and industrial sectors. Such incidents underline the urgent need for stricter regulations and safety measures. That’s to essentially prevent similar disasters in the future. Therefore, it’s prompting discussions about the balance between agricultural effectiveness and moreover public safety.
Basics on Ammonium Nitrate Used in Coal that started West Texas Explosion
Ammonium nitrate poses a threat to human and environmental health not only when it catalyzes fatally in a dangerous stockpile. In addition, it also threatens health when particles of the stuff shatter into the air and seep into groundwater from strip mining, say residents of mining communities. For mountaintop removal mining, coal production often relies on huge amounts of ammonium nitrate used as an explosive agent. Opponents of so-called “mountaintop removal” are in DC this week. They are taking that message to the Obama administration. Their week of action culminates May 8 with a delivery of toxic water to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Watching Over
GRITtv was in Central Appalachia the week after the Boston Marathon bombing and the West, Texas, fire. While terrorism of the bomb-plots sort seemed far away, explosions there were a daily occurrence. These often stemmed from a variety of sources including mining operations and natural gas extraction. The pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty hung in the air, as locals dealt with both the emotional fallout from the distant attacks and the immediate dangers posed by their own industrial landscape. In addition, conversations at the local diners shifted from the national news to the rattling sounds of machinery. This raised questions about the safety and sustainability of their way of life.
Vernon Haltom of Coal Mountain River Watch, who showed us around, cited estimates that more than a million acres and tens of thousands of streams have been affected since so-called mountain top removal began. However, having depleted the area’s rich underground seams, in the late 1970s coal companies in Central Appalachia began blasting the tops of the mountains. This allowed them to get at coal just beneath the surface. This ongoing practice often involves large quantities of ammonium nitrate used for blasting operations in the region.
Studies Raising Alarms
Since then, more than twenty peer-reviewed studies have raised alarms regarding the potential health risks associated with certain chemicals. Some link trace amounts of ammonium nitrate, benzine, and silica to serious health problems, including low birth weights and elevated death rates particularly in mining areas of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The findings suggest a concerning correlation between these toxic substances and various health outcomes. This has prompted calls from environmentalists and health experts for more rigorous regulations and monitoring in these regions. Furthermore, the impact of such pollutants extends beyond immediate health issues. They threaten the overall quality of life and the future health of communities that rely heavily on mining activities for their livelihoods. As these studies continue to emerge, the need for comprehensive public health strategies to address and mitigate these risks has never been more urgent.
By: Laura Flanders from The Nation.
May 7, 2013 – 8:51 AM ET
cover image source: Pexels.com
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