The radiological effects of Yatağan coal-fired power plant at different conditions

Radiation dose and risk calculations for different radioisotope concentrations stack heights and atmospheric stability categories have been carried out by the code CAP88-PC around the YPP environment by using the results of previous studies about maximum measured gross alpha activity in the flying ash samples as radioactive source. A modified Gaussian plume equation was used to estimate the average dispersion of radionuclides released from up to six emitting sources for a circular grid of distances and directions for a radius of up to 80 kilometers around the facility. The meteorological data obtained from Turkish State Meteorological Service for Yatağan region was processed to find out the stability array file consists of 4 different wind frequencies, one for each of the 16 wind directions on 6 Pasquill stability categories. 16 records were entered for each Pasquill stability category and wind frequencies. Pasquill stability classes used in the code are A: extremely unstable, B: unstable, C: slightly unstable, D: neutral, E: slightly stable, and F: stable. Dose and risk are estimated by combining the inhalation and ingestion intake rates, air and ground surface concentrations with the dose and risk conversion factors used in CAP88-PC. The effective dose equivalent is calculated using the weighting factors in ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) Publication 26 (ICRP, 1977). Risks are based on lifetime risk from lifetime exposure, with a nominal value of 4E-4 cancers/rem. Doses and risks can be tabulated as a function of radionuclide, pathway, location and organ CAP88-PC also tabulates the frequency distribution of risk. The risk levels are divided into orders of magnitude from one in ten to one in a million. The maximum effective dose equivalent rates for each condition and their radiological effects have been interpreted. It is seen that these values are recommended by the International Commission on Radialogical Protection (ICRP) and have not any significant risk for public health around the plant environment.