This study is the first health impact assessment in Turkey for a coal-fired power plant project. Following China, Turkey ranks second in the world for the number of planned coal-fired power plant projects as of 2020.1 Published by the Right to Clean Air Platform, this report will serve as an important exemplary document for the public and corporate sectors and NGOs alike in the evaluation of the health impacts of planned coal-fired power plants.Over the course of 35 years, more than 11 million people will face adverse health effects due to the air pollution caused by the particulate matter (PM2.5) arising from burning coal at Eskişehir Alpu CPP.
Some of the striking results are as follows:
- Within the scope of the project, a total area of 575 football fields (419.9 hectares) of agriculturally favorable topsoil will be eliminated directly by using them for non-agricultural purposes.
- According to the Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) report,5 the project will provide employment for 1500 people during the 62-month construction phase and for 3250 people during the operational period which will last for its 35-year economic life. On the other hand, with the end of agricultural production in the region, it is predicted that a portion of the 25,000 people registered in the farmer registration system will cease to work, and those farmers and agricultural workers who will be farmed will remain unemployed.
