Study of environmental radioactivity and radon measurement associated health effect due to coal and fly ash samples

Abstract

The increasing demand for electricity generation in India primarily depends on coal-fired power plants. The burning of coal is known as fly ash and a prominent factor of pollution in the environment. Fly ash generation in plants leads to the creation of radon and radionuclide, which affects the health of the general public. Since the general public around the area adjoining power plants are at considerable risk of radiation exposure. Also, inhalation of radon gas at a high level increases the possibility of lung cancer. So monitoring radon and radionuclide concentrations is essential. In the present investigation, radon and thoron exhalation rates have been estimated by implementing the accumulation method-based active technique. Natural radioactivity concentrations have been found out using NaI(Tl) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometry. Since the radiation hazard index is less than unity, so fly ash retains not a considerable amount of radiation effect. The result obtained concludes that radon/thoron exhalation rate and radioactivity concentration from fly ash residues are within the limits prescribed by the competent authority. So, the uses of fly ash in coal-based power plants cause no effectively adverse effect on health.