BfS-guideline on the examination and radiological evaluation of mining relics

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) has been developing the "Guideline on the examination and radiological evaluation of mining relics" with the objective to enable future decisions about the remediation of mining relics according to standardised, scientifically founded, economically appropriate and transparent rules.

If it is necessary to model the release and dispersion of radionuclides to determine the dose pursuant to the Calculation Bases Mining, this is to be optimised by a graded approach and the application of special exposure-path related exclusion criteria.

Guideline elements

For this purpose, concrete directives for action have been derived for the exposure paths air and water (guideline elements). The scientific bases and detailed explanations on the directives for action are given in technical papers.

Since the basic concept in modelling the atmospheric dispersion modelling do not correspond to the state of the science, it is recommended to refer to the Atmospheric Radionuclide Transport Model (ARTM) for detailed dispersion calculations.

New Guideline for Radioactive Legacy Sites

In February 2023, a Guideline for Radioactive Legacy Sites was published by the Federal Environment Ministry, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection and Federal State authorities. The guideline serves as assistance for examination and evaluation of suspected legacy sites, which are assumed to be contaminated with radionuclides. In the document, principles and standards for mitigation plans are described, as well as the relation to other legal requirements.

User experience

BfS is interested in the experience you have gained in using the guideline and in proposals for improvements. Please e-mail your suggestions, which we will take into account in our revision of the guideline, to bhoffmann@bfs.de.