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Characterization Of Atmospheric Particulate Matter In Mountaintop Mining And Non-Mining Areas In West Virginia With Known Health Differences, Laura M. Kurth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction: Mortality and morbidity rates in the Appalachian region are higher than in the national population. People who live in Appalachian areas where coal mining is prominent have increased health problems compared to people in non-mining areas of Appalachia. Health disparities remain higher in mining areas even after adjusting for lifestyle and demographic effects illustrating that additional factors, such as environmental influences, are associated with adverse health outcomes. Coal mines and coal mining activities result in the production of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), which is associated with environmental and human health effects. Environmental studies of air and water quality in …