The Public Health Service, through the Division of Air Pollution, has investigated the feasibility of reducing the sulfur content of coals by generally known coal preparation methods together with known costs through case studies. This has been under Contract No. PB 86-65-29, dated December 15, 1964. By 'desulfurization' in this study, is meant the removal or lowering of the sulfur content of American coals through known methods of crushing, washing, and various processes other than changing the solid nature of coal, such as through chemical decomposition into gaseous and liquid products. This study is not involved with the removal of sulfur from flue gases. Since the main source of sulfur dioxide air pollution from coal is the result of its use as 'steam' coal, this study largely concerns itself with United States steam coals as distinct from coals used for metallurgical or coking purposes. Work under this contract involved a study of the production, distribution and end use of bituminous and lignitic coals; a study of the proximate analyses of the major coal beds in the United States; a study of the sulfur forms in these major coal beds; an estimate of the reserves and location of high sulfur coal beds; case studies of current coal preparation practices in preparing steam coals including current costs and suggested methods of coal preparation, using the most modern available equipment together with an estimate of costs for such treatment based upon a 1,000 ton per hour capacity plant. (Author)