Navigation and service

Go to:

Emissions monitoring of nuclear facilities

Radioactive substances are emitted with the discharges from nuclear facilities. The Radiation Protection Ordinance therefore prescribes the continuous monitoring of these discharges by the operator to assess the amount of the released radioactive substances. Measurements by the operator are also checked on a random basis by an independent measuring instituion. The annual exposure for the population is calculated from these annual discharges.

Sketch of a nuclear power plant

Monitoring the emission of radioactive substances from nuclear facilities

The discharges of radioactive substances from nuclear facilities (emission) through exhaust air and waste water are regularly and permanently monitored and assessed. The resultant radiation exposure of the population is calculated from this. In addition, the atomic licensing authorities stipulate maximum values for the discharges from nuclear facilities.

more
A person, in the background two scientists with a computer

Calculation of radiation exposure to the public

The radiation exposure to the public in the vicinity of each nuclear installation is calculated by means of the assessed discharges provided by the operator. The calculations relate to a representative person: a hypothetical individual, whose behaviour in regard to location and consumption habits results in higher exposure to radiation. Extreme lifestyle habits are not considered.

more
Exemplary analysis result of the proficiency test "waste water" in 2023

Verification of licensee's monitoring of radioactive effluents from nuclear installations

For more than 30 years, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection and its predecessor authority respectively, have been verifying the reliability and quality of the licensee’s monitoring of radioactive effluents by operators of nuclear installations. Key instruments for quality assurance are a control measurement programme and proficiency tests. To this end, the BfS carries out random control measurements according to § 103 (4) Radiation Protection Ordinance.

more

ARTM and Dose Model DARTM

Radioactive substances discharged with the exhaust air and wastewater from nuclear facilities contribute to the radiation exposure of members of the pbulic. The radiation exposure is first modelled with the Atmospheric Radionuclide Transport Model (ARTM) and then calculated with the radioecological model DARTM, which takes in account the concentrations and deposits of the respective radionuclides calculated by ARTM. The radiation exposure of members of the public is reported to German Parliament.

more

Site information and functions

© Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz