Monitoring systems and reporting in the Federal Republic of Germany

In 1955, the German Weather Service (DWD) was commissioned by law to monitor the air and precipitations for radioactive components. Measurements were started in late 1956. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of this government commission, an event was organized in June 2005 under the heading of ''Fifty Years of Atmospheric Radioactivity Monitoring by the German Weather Service.'' This contribution summarizes the development of monitoring systems over the past five decades, from the beginnings to dealing with the consequences of the Chernobyl accident to the present situation. The discussion, also on the basis of historical developments, covers the boundary conditions, treaties, and European and international links and networks. Details are given of the precise duties of monitoring systems for the environment in general and for that of nuclear installations in particular, and of the evaluation of the data so accumulated up to and including the determination of radiation exposures. The Nuclear Reactor Remote Surveillance System (KFUe) and the installation and expansion of the Integrated Measurement and Information System for Monitoring Environmental Radioactivity (IMIS) are other key items in the report. The national and the European and international information pathways of the results of measurements and other technical and scientific findings are presented in a comprehensive review also including experience from the Chernobyl accident. Fifty Years of German Nuclear Legislation. (orig.)