The Status Report on the Health Issues Associated with Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA or coal fly ash) and Fly Dust summarizes what is presently known about the nature, toxicity and significance for the human and natural environment of pulverized coal fly ash. Besides introductory information on fuels used for power generation also the aspects of pulverized coal fly ash production in coal-fired power plants and the various mechanisms of exposure. The health implications concern two distinct groups of people: workers and those living near coal-fired power plants. The first group includes both power plant personnel and people involved in the transportation and processing of pulverized coal fly ash. Health and safety aspects of fine dust and fly ash from co-combustion with biomass are treated.

KEMA makes the content of the reports available through her website for everyone who is interested. All the underlying reports have been reviewed by independent experts, each known authorities in their field of expertise. This summary report on its own is sufficient to provide a general overview of the subjects covered. Specialists who want to know more about the background basis and assumptions can download the appendices here below. All appendices contain an executive summary in English. The full text is in Dutch.

Main report: Introduction and summary

• KEMA-report 50030086-KPS/MEC 00-6040 (Dutch version)
• KEMA-report 50131022-KPS/MEC 01-6032 (English version)   

Appendices:

1. Occupational health and safety aspects of pulverized fuel ash
2. Environmental impact associated with airborne pulverized coal fly ash
3. Stack emissions. Environmental impact associated with stack emissions from a 600 MWe coal-fired unit
4. Occupational health aspects of fly ash from co-combustion
5. Occupational health aspects of coal 
6. Exposure to quartz in coal and in fly ash
7. Environmental impact associated with pulverized fuel ash: Chromium VI
8. Environmental impact associated with pulverized fuel ash: Radioactive Aspects
9. Environmental impact associated with pulverized fuel ash: Dioxins
10. Environmental impact associated with pulverized fuel ash: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons   

External reviewers:

• Dr.Ir. H. Kromhout, senior lecturer at the Universityof Utrecht
• Dr P. Berghmans, scientist at VITO in Belgium
• Ir. M.G. Lunter staff member at RIZA (Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment)
• Prof.Dr.Ir. D.J.J. Heederik, professor at the Universityof Utrecht
• Mrs. Ir. E.I.M. Tjoe Nij, research assistant at the Universityof Utrecht
• Prof.Dr. S.E. Wendelaar Bonga, Universityof Nijmegen
• Dr. A.S. Keverling Buisman, scientist at ECN (Dutch Energy Foundation)
• Dr. K. Olie, senior lecturer at the Universityof Amsterdam
• Dr. P. de Voogt, senior lecturer at the Universityof Amsterdam