IMPACT OF THE RIVNE NPP ACTIVITY ON NATURAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CONTROL AREA.

Abstract

To assess an impact of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) activity on the control area (CA) environ- ment according to environmental and radiation monitoring data over time of 2011-2017 as a component of the radiation safety system. Review of geographical and natural features of the territory of the «Rivne NPP» manufac- turing facility was carried out to assess its CA environment. Assessment of environmental and radiation situation of the CA was carried out according to the data of RNPP monitoring systems and a number of state institutions of Rivne oblast over time of 2011-2017. Opinion of the CA population about the RNPP environmental impact was studied. The sampled population of respondents was calculated based on the total population living in CA. The sampling error no more that 7.0%. Data from sociological survey of population were calculated using the statistical programs. The radiation impact of RNPP on environment is related to emissions and discharges of radioactive sub- stances generated in the production cycle. Over time the total index of radionuclide discharge to the Styr River since 2011 is of a marked downward trend from 2.11 % to 0.18 %. The maximum concentrations of 60Co and 137Cs radionuclides at the three sampling points along the Styr River over time of 2011-2016 were about one thousandth of a percent, and of 131I - one hundredth of a permissible value according to the Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (RSSU). Emissions of inert radioactive gases and long-lived nuclides into the atmosphere were less than 0.2 % and iodine emissions were 0.01 % to the emission limit. Average radionuclide concentrations in the natural air of the RNPP CA settlements did not exceed the admissible concentration limit (ACL). Concentrations of chem- ical pollutants in discharges of the RNPP to the Styr River over time of 2012-2017 did not exceed the ACL. Integral wastewaters of municipal enterprises of the CA and RNPP result in an increased index of biochemical oxygen uti- lization and ammonium salt content in the Styr River, exceeding the ACL in fishery reservoir water. No exceedance of ACL of repugnant substances in the open air of settlements was observed regarding the pollutants under study. According to population survey the radiation contamination of territories as a result of the ChNPP accident and RNPP activities, which cause anxiety, are the key factors determining an environmental situation at the place of residence. The correlation coefficients between anxiety index and public estimates of environmental situation are established. Content of radionuclides in emissions and discharges generated in the RNPP production cycle under everyday conditions does not exceed the allowed RSSU-97 values. The combined discharges of collective enterpri- ses and RNPP are the main sources of chemical pollution of surface waters in CA. There is a higher correlation coef- ficient between the anxiety and somatization rates and environmental sphere parameter in rural population com- pared to urban one. The combined effect of environmental, radiation and psychological factors on the RNPP CA population makes the health studies necessary in the latter.