Development of new methods and procedures for radiating situation monitoring

This thematic issue summarizes the results of the research project ' Development, verification and innovation of methods and procedures for radiation situation and human exposure monitoring with respect to effluents from nuclear facilities and rapid methods of analysis' (SUJB contract No. 3/2006). The project focused on 3 areas: (i) monitoring and evaluation of NPP effluents into the environment; (ii) optimization of radiation monitoring network components; and (iii) assessment of rapid measurement methods usable in early phases of radiation disasters. Radiation situation monitoring in the Czech republic has been carried out by the National Radiation Protection Institute for more than 20 years. The efforts were stimulated by the Chernobyl accident (1986) and the ultimate goal was to establish a system capable of informing on changes in radiation situation over the territory and obtaining information needed for decision-making and remediation actions. Currently the radiation monitoring network includes measurements performed by operators of nuclear power plants (and other significant radiation sources) on the one hand and by independent bodies, notably the State Office for Nuclear Safety and the National Radiation Protection Institute, on the other hand. (orig.)