Searching for traces. Highly sensitive measurements of aerosol-bound radionuclides in the air close to the ground over Germany

In Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the German Meteorological Service (DWD) and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operate the trace analysis laboratories of the German trace measurement centres, in which it is possible to detect the smallest traces of radionuclides in the air near the ground using highly sensitive measuring systems. A distinction can be made as to whether the detected radioactive traces are of natural or artificial origin. One of the statutory tasks of the German trace measurement centres is to detect artificial aerosol particle-bound radionuclides in the air near the ground and to recognise short or long-term changes at the lowest activity level. As a rule, these are activity concentrations that do not represent a relevant contribution to radiological exposure.