Oh, absolutely. About one-third of the world’s electricity still comes from coal. It’s cheap, abundant, and—let’s be honest—it’s kind of a workhorse. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s cozy. It’s like eating instant noodles for every meal: you’ll survive, but your body will send you some pretty angry memos.
Here’s the funny thing: coal itself isn’t “unsafe” like a wild tiger is unsafe. It’s a rock. It just sits there. The trouble starts when we set it on fire. That’s when it releases carbon dioxide, arsenic, lead, and a whole alphabet soup of nasty stuff.
Can You Burn Coal In A Wood Stove Safely? — The Torch Guys
I once had a neighbor who used a coal stove in his garage. He said it kept him warm while he worked on his truck. He also had a chronic cough. He called it “garage lung.” I called it a reason to never borrow his tools without gloves.
