This slurry dam at Brushy Fork, WV has a 2.8 billion gal capacity

When Coal is mined it often contains rocks and other non-combustible material that needs to be taken out before the coal is burned. The way this is most often accomplished in Appalachia is by “Washing” the coal with large amounts of water and and chemicals. The result of this process is a toxic mix of water, added chemicals, and toxins naturally found in coal, like arsenic and lead, that were “trapped” safely underground in the natural coal formation. (list of chemicals in Coal Slurry)

a map of know slurry injection sites in West Virgina can be seen here

There are two main ways the industry disposes of this toxic brew. They either store it behind giant earthen dams, or they inject it underground into abandoned underground mines where it is free to migrate into peoples’ drinking water.

Many of the components of Coal slurry are detrimental to human health. Arsenic and Lead, which are both found in slurry and have been found in the wells of Prenter, are the number 1 and 2 substances on the American Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) list of priority pollutants. In fact, 7 of the top 10 substances on that list are in coal slurry.

These substances lead to high rates of cancer, renal failure, gastro-intestinal problems and a host of other health problems.

For more information about Coal Slurry and its devastating effects on communities like Prenter visit the Sludge Safety Project website.