The funding came under a series of grants totaling $4.1 million to the state by the US Department of Energy.
Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute will conduct research to determine what link, if any, exists between the fine particulates emitted from coal-fired power plants, and health problems in humans.
Fine particulates are particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter—less than 1/30th the width of a human hair, and invisible to the naked eye.
While it has been established that these particles do affect human health, there is little information to provide a link between the particles from coal plants and cardiac or respiratory health problems in humans.
The research results will be used to help design standards reviews, and to devise strategies for controlling power plant emissions.
The project will run for three years.
