A new report published by the Right to Clean Air Platform ahead of World Clean Air Day on September 7th reveals the premature deaths, chronic diseases, and total economic cost that will result from the air pollution caused by the construction of two additional units at the Afşin Elbistan A Thermal Power Plant, which generates electricity by burning coal.
Key findings
- This study calculates the impacts following the projected 688 MW expansion of the Afşin Elbistan A power plant in Kahramanmaraş Province, Türkiye on air pollution, public health, and the economy.
- In the first year of operation, 2028, the 688 MW expansion at Afşin Elbistan A will lead to an estimated 42 deaths, 43 asthma emergency room visits, 87 children suffering from asthma, 27 preterm births, 15 low birthweight births, and 16,917 days of work absences.
- As a result of these health impacts, air pollution from the added capacity of Afşin Elbistan A will cost the economy an estimated USD 58.1 million in the first year of operation.
- Assuming the unit will be in operation for 35 years, from 2028 to 2063, the cumulative health impacts of the added capacity will equate to 2,268 deaths, 1,714 asthma emergency room visits, 626 new cases of asthma in children, 2,896 children suffering from asthma, 907 preterm births, 514 low birthweight births, and 755,904 sick leave days.
- Consequently, air pollution from the added capacity of Afşin Elbistan A will cost the economy USD 2.6 billion over the entire operating period from 2028 to 2063.
- This is a significant economic cost to society, and is equivalent to the construction of 29 hospitals, each including 500 beds, with a total of 14,500 hospital beds.
