Monstrous Hazards Produced by High Radioactivity Levels Around Assiut Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg^-1, respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg^-1, respectively. These are extremely high and higher by several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that the water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlight the severity of this radioactive pollution on the population in the vicinity of ATPP.