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The combustion of fossil fuels leads to the release of pollution into the atmosphere. A typical coal plant produces:[2]
* 3,700,000,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming.
* 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), the leading cause of acid rain
* 500 tons of small airborne particles, which result in chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, in addition to haze-obstructed visibility.
* 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), leading to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.
* 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), resulting in headaches and additional stress on people with heart disease.
* 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.
* 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
* 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
* 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.