Comparative operation risk assessment for the no. 4 unit of the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant with a BN-800 reactor

• Published in: Atomic energy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2002-11, Vol.93 (5), p.887-892
• Main Author: KOROBITSYN, B. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Cancer; Chemical contaminants; Chemical contamination; Chemical pollution; Contamination; Drinking water; Environmental protection; Health; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Mortality risk; Nuclear power generation; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear reactor components; Nuclear reactors; Radiation; Reactors; Risk; Risk assessment; Risk factors; Socioeconomic factors; Socioeconomics
• ISSN: 1063-4258; 1573-8205
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1022455620915

A quantitative assessment is made of the collective cancer risk for the population in Sverdlovsk oblast due to exposure to radiation during the 30-yr period of normal operation of the No. 4 unit in the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant with a BN-800 reactor and for possible accidents. The estimates are made using the linear zero-threshold concept based on ICRP Publication No. 60. The values obtained are compared with the different forms of cancer risk characteristic for Sverdlovsk oblast (due to radiation and chemical contamination of atmospheric air and drinking water) and the morbidity and mortality risk predominantly due to socioeconomic factors. It is shown that the socioeconomic risk factors determine most cases of death from unnatural causes. Against this background, the health risk due to contamination of the environment by natural radionuclides and chemical carcinogens is negligibly small. The desirability of introducing into domestic practice the health risk assessment methodology developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency is discussed in light of the results obtained.