Release of radioactive substances
Radioactive substances and materials emit ionizing radiation. This may pose a risk to people, animals and the environment.
Various national laws and regulatory bodies monitor the use of these substances.
Risks and causes
Causes
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What can you do?
The impact of exposure to radioactive substances depends on the duration, type of substance and the distance between the person and the radioactive source.
BEFORE
- Find out in advance if you live in a nuclear emergency planning zone.
- Sign up to BE-Alert. That way, you will be immediately informed in the event of an emergency.
- Keep iodine tablets at home. They are distributed for free in pharmacies. Never take them on your own initiative.
DURING
- Taking shelter is the best way to protect yourself.
- Get inside and stay there. Take cover in the nearest building. Stay inside until you are informed that it is safe to leave.
- Close doors and windows and disconnect ventilation systems. Ideally find a place in a central room on the ground floor. Walls and ceilings offer better protection than windows.
- Follow the recommendations of the authorities. Find out about the right measures to take via radio, television, official websites and social networks.
- Keep your children at school. They will follow the same recommendations.
- Do you have to evacuate? Follow the instructions of the emergency services. Never evacuate on your own initiative.
- Wait for instructions from the authorities before taking iodine tablets. Never do it on your own initiative.
AFTER
- Additional medical advice may be communicated. Listen to the media and follow the official channels to get all the information.
- A radioactive accident may have an impact on drinking water and food, such as agriculture, livestock or garden vegetables. Follow the instructions of the authorities.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a extreme release of radioactive substances. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- Radioactive substances are released 2 to 4 hours after a serious or major accident (level 6-7 on the INES scale).
- It is not raining, but there is strong wind. This allows radiation to spread further around the leak.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Very weak
Human impact
Strong
Societal impact
Moderate
Environmental impact
Strong
Financial impact
Strong
What do the authorities do?
The release of radioactive substances may have various causes. Various public services take preventive measures for:
- An incident at a nuclear power plant
- An incident at a CBRNe installation
- An incident during transport of CBRNe substances
- An attack on CBRNe infrastructure
- An attack on a shipment of dangerous goods