Radioactivity measurements in environmental media for determining the radiation exposure of the population of the GDR

Starting from the sources of man-made radiation exposure of the population of the GDR and the environmental monitoring programmes derived therefrom, measured values, relevant to radiation exposure, and essential measuring activities are presented, using the environmental monitoring of a nuclear facility as an example. A number of methods is described which are employed for sample processing, radionuclide enrichment, chemical separation and preparation as well as for measurement of radionuclide and stable element concentrations in samples received from environmental monitoring programmes with especial regard to the use of low-level activity measuring methods. Using results from radioactivity measurements in environmental samples, the contributions of man-made radiation exposure from the environment to the radiation exposure of the GDR population are estimated on the basis of exposure calculation models. (author)