For Citizens - Service Finder

Despite the high safety standards for nuclear power plants and the associated requirements, an accident involving releases of radioactive substances into the environment can never be ruled out with 100% safety in Germany. This also applies to nuclear installations in neighbouring European countries. That is why measures are being made in all countries to protect the population.

Due to the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany, authorities and organizations of the various levels cooperate in the event of an emergency in order to ensure the protection of the population in the event of an emergency in Germany together with the operators.
 

Civil protection measures are short-term emergency measures such as:

• the invitation to stay in buildings to protect against radioactive radiation,
• the distribution and ingestion of iodine tablets to reduce the radiation exposure of the thyroid gland,
• the evacuation according to prepared plans as a precautionary measure and as a protection of the population if a large quantity of radioactive substances has been deposited at the place of residence;
• the public's warning against the consumption of freshly harvested food and fresh milk.

The basic measures for radiation protection prevention are longer-term measures such as:

• control of trade in food and feed,
• recommendations concerning individual behaviour (e.g. The prompt to close windows and doors, to avoid staying outdoors, to cover sandboxes, etc.),
• measures in the field of agriculture (e.g. bringing animals into the barn, early harvesting, washing of fruit and vegetables, etc.),
• Large-scale decontamination measures or
• Longer-term relocation.

The federal states are responsible for civil protection with the corresponding civil protection measures and the federal government is mainly responsible for the radiation protection preparedness area and the associated measures.