Freiburg (dpa) – Radioactive substances can get into the environment in the event of an accident in a nuclear power plant, for example, and spread over large areas. In some places in Germany, for example, mushrooms are still contaminated with radioactive cesium as a result of the reactor accident in the Ukrainian Chernobyl in 1986.
Measurements from helicopters are one way of obtaining information about the contamination quickly to protect the population. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Police are currently training in the region around Freiburg to measure radioactivity on the ground from helicopters.
According to the information, specialists from the BfS are moving their measurement technology to the federal police helicopter. “With their help, it is possible to determine within a short time whether and to what extent an area is affected, what radioactive substances and what quantities of radioactive substances have been deposited on the ground,” the authority said. To ensure that cooperation with the pilots can run smoothly in a real operation, such joint measurement exercises take place regularly.
According to the report, in an emergency, an area of around 100 square kilometers can be mapped within around three hours. The measurement results are available shortly after landing.
During the training flights planned until Thursday at a height of about 90 meters, the radioactivity naturally present on the ground will be recorded and mapped, which depends, among other things, on the occurrence of the element radon. In addition, various deployment procedures would be trained: the teams could, for example, examine the measurement areas with parallel or spiral trajectories.
As the higher federal authority, the BfS informs the population and advises the government on all questions of radiation protection. More than 550 employees assess, among other things, radiation risks and monitor environmental radioactivity. Other topics include ultraviolet radiation and radiation-related aspects of digitization.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230704-99-275684/2
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