A doctor has asked New Zealand's Nelson Hospital to end its use of coal, citing health and environmental concerns, according to an article on the Staff website.
The hospital uses a combination of coal and landfill gas for heating and electricity.
Last year, 33 percent of thermal energy used by the hospital was produced by the coal-fed boiler. It creates steam to power heating, hot water, sterilization and cooking.
The heavy metals released from burning coal were linked to health issues such as bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer, neurological diseases and heart disease.
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