The concentration of naturally radioactive matter in coal and coal ash form the Saar region

There was determined the content of naturally radioactive substances (40K, 226Ra, 228Th and 210Pb) in coal from the Saar region and in fly ash deposited in the electrofilters of the power plants. For this purposes four coal power plants were selected that were different from each other with respect to their technology and design. The measurements showed the specific concentrations of the radionuclides in the fly ash to be somewhat smaller than those found in similar investigations in other mining districts. The annual release rate of 226Ra, 228Th, and 210Pb, referred to the electric power of 1 GW, of the oldest power plant was ten times as high as that for the most modern coal power plant. The radiation exposure to be expected in the environment of these coal power plants is to be still determined by further investigations. Estimations for the environmental impact showed the additional radiation exposure by these discharges in the environment of the coal power stations to be within the range of variations for the exposure from natural radiation. (orig./HP)