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Since 2017, the Federal Government has been operating a Radiological Situation Centre under the direction of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. GRS is one of the institutions supporting the Radiological Situation Centre.
Emergency preparedness in Germany in the nuclear and radiological sector is aimed at preventing or reducing adverse effects of ionising radiation on people, the environment and property in the event of an emergency.
The term "nuclear emergency preparedness" covers all measures that prevent or contain the spread of radioactive substances after a nuclear or radiological accident. The aim of the measures is to protect man and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
People working in aviation, nuclear energy, certain sectors of industry, medicine and research have one thing in common: they are exposed to ionising radiation in the course of their work.
In Germany, more than half a million packages containing radioactive materials are transported every year.
Radioactive substances are not only found in nuclear power plants but are also used in numerous medical, technical and scientific applications for a wide variety of purposes.
Radioactive substances occur everywhere in nature. Some of them have been present since the formation of the earth, some are constantly being created through interactions, and others are artificially generated. In Germany, environmental radioactivity is constantly monitored by the competent authorities.
The mineral graphite is used in some types of reactors and can be activated by neutron radiation, i.e. converted into radioactive isotopes. In order to select a suitable disposal option, the graphite must be thoroughly examined radiologically. However, many measuring methods are relatively costly and in turn produce new radioactive waste themselves. A team of researchers from GRS and the University of Cologne is therefore developing a method with which reactor graphite can be characterised quickly and reliably.
S. Hagemann, H. Mönig
Research reactors differ considerably in design and use from commercial reactors in nuclear power plants. GRS researchers are looking at how these differences affect the safety of research reactors.