Guide to emergency preparedness

Radiological emergencies: emergency scenarios, impact and protective measures

If a larger amount of radioactive substances is released, this is called a radiological emergency.
Depending on the type of a radiological emergency, federal and state authorities, plant operators and/or emergency services in Germany and abroad work closely together to protect the population in a timely and effective manner.
Automatic monitoring networks operated by the BfS and other institutions continuously monitor the radiological situation in Germany's environment.

The release of significantly increased quantities of radioactive substances is referred to as a radiological emergency.

The best-known radiological emergencies involving massive releases of radioactive substances into the environment took place in Chornobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 (Russian: Chernobyl) and Fukushima, Japan, in 2011.

Sketches: nuclear power plant, transport vehicles, satellite, nuclear facilities, and others, each with a radioactivity symbol

What is a radiological emergency?

The last intact reactor unit of Fukushima Daiichi

Source: christian aslund/EyeEm/Stock.adobe.com

Emergency 2011: Fukushima

Handheld measuring device used to determine the ambient dose rate in front of the Chornobyl reactor. The display shows a value of 3.04 microsievert per hour.

Emergency 1986: Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl)

Different emergency scenarios call for different protective measures

Which radioactive substances might be released in what quantities in a radiological emergency – and what impact this is likely to have on the environment and the physical and mental health of the population in Germany – depends on the nature of the emergency (i.e. the emergency scenario).

Depending on the nature of the emergency, federal and state authorities, plant operators and/or civil protection authorities in Germany and abroad work closely together in order to protect the population effectively and in a timely manner. When the legally stipulated dose criteria for emergencies are exceeded, they adopt various measures to protect the general public and emergency service personnel:

Early protective measures are ordered and implemented by the civil protection authorities of the federal states. For example, these measures include the evacuation of people from areas that could be seriously affected by radioactive contamination or the order for people to remain indoors in order to protect them against radioactive substances. To protect the thyroid against radioactive iodine, authorities can also order the taking of high-dose iodine tablets for people under the age of 45 within a specific radius of a release site.
Precautionary measures to ensure that people ingest as small a quantity of radioactive substances as possible with their food may include placing restrictions on the harvesting and sale of foodstuffs, for example.

Sketches: Nuclear power plant, transport vehicles, satellite, nuclear facilities, and others, each with a radioactivity symbol, grouped around a plant

What are the consequences of a radiological emergency for the environment and health?

Taking iodine tablets correctly

National and international collaboration for the protection of humans and the environment

In Germany, the tasks relating to national radiological emergency preparedness are divided between various authorities and organisations.

For example, in the event of radiological emergencies with supra-regional consequences for the environment, a special crisis team known as the Federal Radiological Situation Centre comes together under the leadership of the Federal Environment Ministry. Among other things, this centre provides federal and state authorities with a uniform radiological situation report, coordinates radiological measurements, recommends protective measures, and provides information to the general public.

As radiation does not stop at national borders, Germany collaborates on radiological emergency preparedness at the international level – not only bilaterally with neighbouring countries but also multilaterally with countries throughout Europe and the world.