Characterization of elements and radionuclides in the air particulate around Cilacap coal- power plant

The hazardous substances in air particulates causes the public health problem. The objective of this research is to assess the air quality around the Cilacap power plant by assessing the concentration of element using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), and identifying radionuclides contained in PM2.5 and PM10 using the gamma spectrometry. Sampling was carried out in three sampling locations using stratified random. About 45 % of particles came from PM2.5 and 55 % come from PM10. Radionuclide in PM2.5 and PM10 is Pb-210, Th-232, Ra-260 dan K-40. The lowest radionuclide value in PM2.5 and PM10 is Pb-210 (0,134 μBq/m³) and the highest is K-40 (6.407 μBq/m³). Based on the regulatory of Head of Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency Indonesia 7^th 2017, the quality level of radionuclide in the air environment is permitted for Ra-226, Th-232 and Pb-210 are 1.8 x 10^-3 Bq/m³; 2.3 x 10^-3 Bq/m³; and 1.1 x 10^-3 Bq/m³. The analysis of identified PM2.5 and PM10 contains are As, Al, Ce, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, K, Ti, Sb, Rb, V and Zn. The average concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particulates are 13.4 ± 3.8 μg/m³ and 49.5 ± 4.4 μg/m³. These values do not exceed the WHO air quality guidelines are 25 and 50 μg/m³. It shows that the air quality around the Cilacap power plant with a distance about 2 Km to 3 Km are within the limits. (author)