Turkey | Coal expansion plans cause alarm as health costs quantified

Coal power plant capacity in Turkey is set to almost double over the next four years adding significantly to already high health costs, according to a new report from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL).

“The Unpaid Health Bill – How coal power plants in Turkey make us sick” provides the first-ever figures on the costs to public health from existing coal power plants in Turkey. The total costs are up to €3.6 billion per year (10.72 billion Turkish Lira) covering costs of premature death, chronic lung disease and heart conditions associated with exposure to polluted air from coal plants. The report is endorsed by six leading medical and health associations in Turkey.

“More and more health professionals around the world are calling for divestment from coal to improve health and help prevent climate change, giving the clear message that coal doesn’t have a future. Turkey’s plans to quadruple the number of coal-fired plants would lead to skyrocketing health costs for current and future generations,” says Anne Stauffer, HEAL Deputy Director.

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