In case of an incident

Nuclear Power Plant Grohnde

If an incident occurs that includes the release of radioactivity, such as an accident in a nuclear power plant, this can be seen at first in the measuring values obtained from the ODL measuring network. The ODL Measuring Network has an important early warning function to quickly recognise increased radioactive contamination in the air in Germany.

Important early warning function

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.

The thresholds take into account the natural local underground, the statistical fluctuations of the detector, as well as long-term fluctuations, e.g. when the ground is covered by snow.

Preparedness for emergency protection - quickly identifying affected areas

As part of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre, BfS uses forecast models based on weather forecasts and release predictions to determine how a radioactive cloud will spread in the coming days and what radiation exposure may result for people and the environment in affected areas.

On this basis, the responsible federal and state authorities can decide what measures are necessary to protect the population from the harmful effects of radioactivity.

With the help of the measuring stations of the ODL monitoring network, the spread of a radioactive cloud can be tracked quasi online due to the close timing of the measured values and the affected areas can be narrowed down very quickly.

Informing the public

In the event of an incident, the competent Länder authorities and the federal ministries and authorities involved in the Federal Radiological Situation Centre provide information on the current situation via radio, television, the the press, the Internet and social media.