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SO2
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is another GHG released from burning coal that amongst other things causes “acid rain” as the SO2 reacts with the water in the atmosphere to make sulphuric acid that can devastate the surrounding flora.
In high concentrations it also directly affects the health of local residents through causing a life-threatening accumulation
of fluid in the lungs. Even a single exposure to a high concentration can cause a long-lasting condition such as asthma.
In the region the top 10 SO2 emitters can be found in three coal plants each from Turkey and Serbia, two from Bosnia, and one each Ukraine and North Macedonia.
Emissions of these plants in the top ten account for 44% of total SO2 emissions in Europe from coal power.
Among the thirty most SO2 polluting coal power plants, there are 12 from Ukraine, with the Burshtynska plant in the number one spot, followed by Turkey with six plants and four power plants belong to Serbia and Bosnia.
PM10
In addition to their greenhouse effect, one of the other problems with burning coal is it produces relatively large particles that can have mechanical detrimental effects
on health. The so-called PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micons) is a standard measure of this type of undesirable emission. If inhaled, the particles can travel into the bloodstream, harm lungs and heart, cause a stroke and lead to premature death.
In terms of PM10 emissions from coal power plants, Ukraine is almost unrivalled. In the top ten positions, Seyitömer (600 MW) and Tunçbilek (365 MW) from Turkey compete alongside plants with at least twice the capacity from Ukraine. The top 10 list for PM10 hosts even older power plants than those on the SO2 list, with the plant ages varying between 48 and 61 years.
NOx
Another dangerous gas is the nitrogen oxide family (NOx), which are gases that cause inflammation of the airways and disrupt normal cell mechanisms, damaging tissues and reducing the immune abilities of the body, the Ember Analytical Centre says.
Ukraine has nine plants in the top thirty ranking for NOx. Among the top thirty, Turkey and Germany have six plants from each, three from Poland, and two each Serbia and Kosovo. Turkey is also represented by its young imported hard
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