The Opinions of the Community on the Effects of Thermal Power Plants on the Environment and Human Health in Afşin and Elbistan Districts

The main purpose of this research was to examine the thoughts, approaches and perceptions of people about thermal power plant and environmental pollution in rural and urban areas of Afşin and Elbistan. A total of 500 individuals in Afşin and Elbistan district centers and villages in the vicinity of the thermal power plant were selected by sampling method. As a result of the study, 28% of households in the region had individuals with lung disease, 54.0% had a chronic disease, 23.0% of children under the age of six years in the household reported that they had pulmonary cough, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract complaints. Moreover, 76.2% of the surveyed individuals specify that the waste materials given to the environment from the thermal power plant damage the vegetation, soil structure, air quality, agricultural areas and living habitats around the power plant environment. A large part of the individuals stated that the environmental problems were usually caused by the activities of the plant and that the solution is still in the plant. While rural residents generally complain about radiation and air pollution, those living in the district center complain more about noise and air pollution. According to results, 92.1% of the individuals stated that due to the pollution created in the region where the thermal power plant was located, it harms the agricultural production around the power plant and 92.4% stated that the measures taken by the power plant managers to prevent pollution were insufficient. On the other hand, approximately 80% of the individuals living in rural areas stated that the thermal power plant discharges harmful wastes to the environment and there was a serious air pollution in the area where they live.