23.12.2021
“Preparedness” was an EMPIR research project (project number: 16ENV04) that was completed successfully in spring 2021. One central objective of this project was the drone‑based measurement of ionizing radiation and radioactivity in the environment in order to protect emergency forces after severe nuclear and radiological accidents. In addition, fully automated airborne dust samplers were developed. Moreover, passive dosimetry systems were investigated for their suitability for the long‑term monitoring of contaminated areas. An extensive metrological investigation of the properties of non‑governmental dosimetric networks for ambient monitoring also took place.The results of the project are summarized in the Final Publishable Report of 16ENV04.
The reactor accident of Chernobyl has drastically shown that in the event of a severe nuclear accident, early responders may have to pay a very high price. Their health may be affected, and they may even lose their own lives because of their efforts to limit the radiological consequences for the population and the environment. It was therefore one of the central goals of the EMPIR “Preparedness” project to develop metrological strategies to protect first responders from damaging their health, at least in the acquisition of radiological data (the basis for any governmental action). “Preparedness” (project number: 16ENV04) was incidentally coordinated by PTB and supported by six NMIs/DIs as well as 11 external partners.
The central goal in this research project was the measurement of ionizing radiation and radioactivity in the environment by means of spectro‑dosimetry systems that can be remotely controlled by unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). Such drones are able to enter the core zones of nuclear and radiological accidents. In addition, fully automated airborne dust samplers were developed, with some of them being created as industrial prototypes. Moreover, passive dosimetry systems were investigated for their suitability for the long‑term monitoring of contaminated areas. This includes the radiological monitoring of extended exclusion zones as they were established after the events in Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011. These exclusion zones still require monitoring today. Another focus was the systematic investigation of simple dosimetry systems, as they have been increasingly offered in social networks (citizen sciences) after reactor accidents. Civilians use these methods to measure the local dose rate in the environment. Within this framework, an extensive metrological investigation of the characteristics of such non‑governmental networks for environmental monitoring (mainly based on non‑energy‑compensated Geiger‑Muller counters) took place. The results of a measurement campaign with 64 tested dosimetry systems were published.
Despite significant restrictions due to the Covid‑19 situation in Europe, the Preparedness Project was successfully completed in early 2021, after it was extended for six months. The main research results of this joint European research project were presented to a broad audience in more than 10 publications and over 80 technical presentations as well as in the Final Publishable Report (
https://www.euramet.org/research-innovation/search-research-projects/details/project/metrology-for-mobile-detection-of-ionising-radiation-following-a-nuclear-or-radiological-incident/).
Contacts
F. Krasniqi, Department 6.3, Working Group 6.32