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Ionising radiation

Ionising radiation includes both electromagnetic radiation (such as X-rays and gamma radiation) and particle radiation (such as alpha, beta and neutron radiation). Its main feature is that it has enough energy to ionise atoms and molecules.

Radioactive substances emit ionising radiation. Natural radioactive substances exist, e.g., in living organismen, i.e. also in man or in the soils and rocks of the earth´s crust. In the medical field, in research, technology and through using nuclear energy ionising radiation and radioactive substances are used purposefully and generated artificially.

Cosmic radiation and radon

Natural radiation in Germany

The total natural radiation exposure in Germany, respectively the annual effective dose for members of the public is on average 2.1 millisieverts. Depending on the place of residence, dietary and life habits, it sometimes adds up from 1 millisievert to 10 millisieverts.

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different foodSource: monticellllo/Stock.adobe.com

Radiation dose from natural radioactivity in food

We ingest naturally occurring radioactive substances through food and drink. The BfS has investigated how much of these substances are contained in our food – and what radiation doses are produced.

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X-ray image of a lung, a stethoscope lies on the imageSource: Pixelot/Stock.adobe.com

X-ray diagnostics – the procedure

In X-ray diagnostics, a difference distinction is made between three techniques: radiography, fluoroscopy and computerized tomography (CT).

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Flugzeug

Radiation exposure of airline passengers

Many people travel for business or pleasure reasons to their distant destinations by plane. These aircraft often fly at altitudes and latitudes, where substantially more radiation affects men than on the Earth's surface. The energies of this high altitude radiation are so high that they can not be shielded.

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Preparing the radon detectors for testing

Interlaboratory comparison and proficiency testing of passive radon measuring instruments

The BfS's Radon Calibration Laboratory performs interlaboratory comparisons for passive radon measuring instruments. These comparisons serve the purpose of quality assurance for institutions performing and evaluating radon measurements at workplaces or for households. National as well as international measuring institutions can participate.

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Wild boar searching for food

Radioactive contamination of mushrooms and wild game

Mainly as a result of the Chornobyl reactor accident, certain species of mushrooms and wild game are still highly contaminated with caesium-137 in some areas of Germany. This applies especially to Southern Germany – in particular Southern Bavaria and the Bavarian Forest but also parts of Upper Swabia.

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NGA exercise RASPAD

Response to Nuclear Security Events

In Germany, the federal states ("Bundesländer") are responsible for the response to nuclear security events. The BfS can support other civil authorities in all aspects of radiation protection, provided that radiological dangers are present. If the civil authorities responding to an event involving radioactive material out of regulatory control require support, the BfS can offer help. The section for the response to nuclear security events (NGA) has the task of preparing the entire BfS for just such requests.

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