<P> The environmental impact of the coal industry includes issues such as land use, waste management, water and air pollution, caused by the coal mining, processing and the use of its products . In addition to atmospheric pollution, coal burning produces hundreds of millions of tons of solid waste products annually, including fly ash, bottom ash, and flue - gas desulfurization sludge, that contain mercury, uranium, thorium, arsenic, and other heavy metals . </P> <P> There are severe health effects caused by burning coal . According to a report by the World Health Organization in 2008, coal particulates pollution are estimated to shorten approximately 1,000,000 lives annually worldwide . A 2004 study commissioned by environmental groups, but contested by the US EPA, concluded that coal burning costs 24,000 lives a year in the United States . </P>

Explain damaging effects of burning of coal and petroleum