Potential health hazards of cryptocurrency mines

General News
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This is an interesting look from Live Science at the health effects of Bitcoin mining:

recent reports have stoked ongoing discussions about the potential health hazards of cryptocurrency mining. In a thinkpiece published Sept. 26 in the journal JAMA, three scientists argue that we are experiencing a “digital oil boom” that could have serious health consequences for everyone — not only the communities that live near mines. This problem extends beyond noise pollution, encompassing health risks associated with increasing energy consumption and accelerated climate change.

Buried halfway down though, is a remarkable disclosure:

In February 2024, the U.S. Energy Information Administration launched a system to track energy consumption from cryptocurrency mines. At the time, the agency said it had identified 137 mines in 21 U.S. states, with Texas, Georgia and New York hosting the majority.

But a month later, this data collection was discontinued following a federal court case initiated by the crypto industry, the JAMA authors wrote. In this case, it was successfully argued that government monitoring would cause “irreparable injury” to the industry.

The argument was that government monitoring (of Bitcoin energy consumption) would cause irreparable injury to the industry.

Imagine if tobacco companies argued that government health agencies disclosing cancer rates would cause irreparable injury to the cigarette industry.

The Bitcoin mining industry knows that BTC is not sustainable.

About Patchcoin:
Patchcoin (PTC) is a Bitcoin alternative using proof-of-stake technology. It is a fixed-supply cryptocurrency with 21 million coins.