Assessment of the impact of precipitation on environmental radiation levels: A case study of yeonggwang

This study investigated the correlation between different levels of precipitation and environmental radiation levels, focusing specifically on the Yeonggwang region adjacent to the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The analysis utilized a dataset comprising environmental radiation and meteorological measurements collected from 2017 to 2023. To accomplish this, the study employed statistical methods like t-tests and ANOVA to assess whether significant variations in environmental radiation levels correspond to the presence or absence of precipitation and across varying precipitation intensities. Precipitation data were segmented into distinct categories—no rain, light rain (0–1 mm/h), and heavy rain (over 1 mm/h)—for a detailed analysis. The t -test results show a statistically significant elevation in environmental radiation levels during precipitation compared to conditions with no rain. Further ANOVA analysis confirms that this increase in environmental radiation levels is uniform across all regions and seasons, with the most pronounced increases during periods of heavy precipitation. The findings from this study could have important implications for enhancing radiation monitoring and safety protocols at nuclear facilities. These results highlight the necessity for ongoing, detailed monitoring of environmental radiation and meteorological conditions to more effectively predict and mitigate potential increases in radiation exposure due to precipitation.