Environmental health risk assessment due to radionuclides and metal(loid)s for Igdir province in Anatolia, near the Metsamor nuclear power plant

Abstract

Background: There have been growing concerns about environmental pollution and public health issues associated with metal(loid)s and radionuclides. As a baseline for monitorisation, radioactivity and specific metal(loid) levels have been measured to investigate the estimated environmental health risks in Igdir province at the Turkish side of the border, in the vicinity of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, an aging nuclear station without primary containment structures. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of radioactivity and accumulation of metal(loid)s in the region were measured and hazard quotient, hazard index, and the excess lifetime cancer risk vaues were calculated according to international methods and standards. Results: Hazard quotient and index values were determined to be lower than the permissible maximum levels. The average estimated excess cancer risk values for terrestrial and cosmic exposures due to radionuclides were calculated as 1.8 +/- 0.9E-04 and 2.4 +/- 0.04E-04, respectively. The average estimated excess cancer risk value for the radioactivity in water was determined as 15.2 +/- 13.6E-05. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk values due to metal(loid) exposure were as Cr<Ni<As in soil and as Cr<Cd<Pb in water. Conclusion: The mean concentrations of selected metal(loid)s and radionuclide activities were below the maximum permissible limits. Relatively low hazard indices suggest that the population is currently not at any imminent health risk.