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Radiological impact of airborne effluents of coal and nuclear plants

Journal Article · · Science; (United States)
Radiation doses from airborne effluents of model coal-fired and nuclear power plants (1000 megawatts electric) are compared. Assuming a 1% ash release to the atmosphere (Environmental Protection Agency regulation) and 1 part per million of uranium and 2 parts per million of thorium in the coal (approximately the U.S. average), population doses from the coal plant are typically higher than those from pressurized-water of boiling-water reactors that meet government regulations. Higher radionuclide contents and ash releases are common and would result in increased doses from the coal plant. The study does not assess the impact of nonradiological pollutants or the total radiological impacts of a coal versus a nuclear economy.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
OSTI ID:
6509249
Journal Information:
Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 202:4372; ISSN SCIEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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