Radon measurements in the Çatalağzi Thermal Power Plant, Turkey

The Çatalağzı Thermal Power Plant (ÇTPP) (41030′48.4″N and 0.31053′41.5″E) is located at nearly 13 km North-east of Zonguldak city, which is located at the West Black Sea coast in Turkey. The middling products with high ash content of bituminous coals are used in this plant. Seasonal radon concentration measurements have been carried out by using CR-39 plastic track detectors in and around the ÇTPP. The annual average radon concentration has been found to vary from a minimum of 39.8 ± 28.9 Bq m−3 in the ash area to a maximum of ∼75.0 ± 15.7 Bq m−3 in the service building of the power plant. The annual average radon concentration in the dwellings of the thermal power plant colony of the plant is 71.0 ± 33.4 Bq m−3. The effective dose has been found to vary from 0.38 to 0.71 mSv y−1 with a mean value of 0.56 mSv y−1, which is lower than the effective dose values 3–10 mSv given as the range of action levels recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection: Protection against radon-222 at home and at work, ICRP Publication 65 (1993).