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Environmental Monitoring Laboratories

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection operates highly specialised laboratories for the detection of radioactive substances in various media. Activities in the laboratories focus on the analysis of radioactive substances for supervision, control, emergency preparedness and research purposes. Duties range from analyses of industrial residues and waste materials, the monitoring of environmental radioactivity to trace analysis of radioactive substances in the atmosphere.

BfS staff member at radioecology laboratory

Radionuclide laboratories of the BfS

The BfS responsibilities in the area of radionuclide laboratories range from emission monitoring of nuclear power plants and monitoring of environmental radioactivity up to the trace analysis of radioactive substances in the atmosphere for verifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Trace analysis air-borne particle collector on the roof of the BfS office in Freiburg

Trace analysis at the BfS

Aims and objectives of trace analysis performed at the BfS are to detect minute quantities of airborne radioactive substances, to investigate their origin, distribution and dispersion in the environment and to monitor short and long-term changes at the lowest activity levels.

Woman with stationary

Federal Coordinating Offices for monitoring radioactive substances in the environment

The radioactive fallout caused by the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s and 1960s required monitoring of the impact of radioactivity on humans and the environment. Radioactive substances in the environment are monitored by the states (Bundesländer) and by federal authorities. At the same time Federal Coordinating Offices have been established, which are responsible for the monitoring of specific environmental media.

Inside the Radon Chamber

Radon Calibration Laboratory

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operates an accredited calibration laboratory for quality assurance of radon and radon progeny measurements. Beside calibrations the laboratory offers type tests and comparison tests for measurement devices. Furthermore, it carries out scientific investigations on the metrological background, evaluation and improvement of measuring methods.

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