The ODL measuring network of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection uses around 1,700 measuring probes to monitor radiation levels from natural radioactivity in the environment around the clock. The measuring network has an important early warning function in order to quickly detect increased radiation from radioactive substances in the air in Germany.
The natural radiation caused by radioactive substances at a specific place depends in particular on the altitude and the geological formation and remains largely constant over long periods of time. It is sometimes affected by external factors.
In the event of an accident the values measured at almost 1,700 ODL measuring stations will be retrieved at 10 minute intervals. If the level of radioactivity measured at a measuring station exceeds a certain threshold value, a notification is automatically triggered. This ensures that an increase in radiation is detected immediately.
