Nationwide exercise for radiological emergencies

In the week of October 6, 2025, a nationwide exercise for radiological emergencies took place. Based on a fictitious scenario developed by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), environmental, food, and feed samples were also taken in Rhineland-Palatinate, tested for radioactivity, and evaluated.

As a radiation protection measuring station for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, LUFA Speyer was also involved in the exercise. Our employees examined soil, plant, and feed samples from 31 (fictitious affected) districts and independent cities and entered the measurement results into the BfS's Integrated Measurement and Information System (IMIS) within 24 hours of sampling. In the event of a nuclear accident, the measurement results recorded in IMIS and the calculated forecasts for radiation exposure form an important basis for decisions on protecting the health of the population and the environment.
 

Background

In the event of a radiological emergency (e.g., an accident at a nuclear facility), there may be a serious release of artificial radioactive substances. Depending on weather conditions, these substances spread through the atmosphere and contaminate crops, soil, and water, among other things. If a significant radiological emergency occurs, the Federal Ministry for the Environment is authorized to order intensive operation in accordance with the Ordinance on the Application of Measures to Ensure Safety (AVV-IMIS) via the responsible ministries of the affected states—in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, and Mobility. The AVV-IMIS regulates the type and number of samples as well as the scope of testing for intensive operation. In order to prepare samplers and measuring stations for possible intensive operation and to ensure sufficient personnel and laboratory capacities with short response times in an emergency, regular nationwide exercises are carried out, among other things. 

Participating measuring stations in Rhineland-Palatinate

Measurements taken as part of emergency response, food and feed monitoring, and environmental monitoring are carried out by the state measuring stations, partly using mobile measuring vehicles on site, but mainly by analyzing samples in their laboratories. The three state measuring stations in Rhineland-Palatinate are responsible for the following types of samples:

• State Office for the Environment (LfU): Air, precipitation, soil surface and residues, as well as wastewater, sewage sludge, groundwater, raw water, landfill leachate and surface water, suspended solids and sediments from surface waters except federal waterways
• State Investigation Office (LUA): Food and drinking water
• Agricultural Investigation and Research Institute (LUFA) Speyer: Plants, feedstuff, and soil