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Assessment of direct radiological risk and indirect associated toxic risks originated by Coal-Fired Power Plants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2012

J. Barescut ,
D. Lariviere ,
T. Stocki ,
M.L. Dinis ,
A. Fiúza ,
J. Góis ,
J.S. de Carvalho  and
A.C.M. Castro
M.L. Dinis
Affiliation:
Geo-Environment and Resources Research Center (CIGAR), Engineering Faculty, Porto University (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
A. Fiúza
Affiliation:
Geo-Environment and Resources Research Center (CIGAR), Engineering Faculty, Porto University (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
J. Góis
Affiliation:
Geo-Environment and Resources Research Center (CIGAR), Engineering Faculty, Porto University (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
J.S. de Carvalho
Affiliation:
Geo-Environment and Resources Research Center (CIGAR), Engineering Faculty, Porto University (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
A.C.M. Castro
Affiliation:
Geo-Environment and Resources Research Center (CIGAR), Engineering Faculty, Porto University (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
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Abstract

Over the past few decades there has been some discussion concerning the increase of the natural background radiation originated by coal-fired power plants, due to the uranium and thorium content present in combustion ashes. The radioactive decay products of uranium and thorium, such as radium, radon, polonium, bismuth and lead, are also released in addition to a significant amount of 40K.

Since the measurement of radioactive elements released by the gaseous emissions of coal power plants is not compulsory, there is a gap of information concerning this situation. Consequently, the prediction of dispersion and mobility of these elements in the environment, after their release, is based on limited data and the radiological impact from the exposure to these radioactive elements is unknown. This paper describes the methodology that is being developed to assess the radiological impact due to the raise in the natural background radiation level originated by the release and dispersion of the emitted radionuclides. The current investigation is part of a research project that is undergoing in the vicinity of Sines coal-fired power plant (south of Portugal) until 2013. Data from preliminary stages are already available and possible of interpretation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 46 , Issue 6: ICRER 2011 – International Conference on Radioecology & Environmental Radioactivity: Environment & Nuclear Renaissance , 2011 , pp. S137 - S143
Copyright
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2011

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