Radioactivity

The "Radioactivity" Group is concerned with:

The development of bases to survey and clean up radioactive contamination due to nuclear weapon explosions, terrorist or criminal radiation sources and civilian nuclear accidents. This also involves assessing the radiation situation, the mechanism of action of radiation damage, as well as the human and environmental effects including possible protective measures
The development and use of measuring technology and analytical instruments for mobile and stationary equipment to measure radioactivity
Permanent operational readiness of all measuring equipment, including military facilities
Transmission of radioactivity content of sample material within the accredited test laboratory STS 028 (in accordance with EN 45001 / ISO 17025).

It involves developing current specialist knowledge to better meet needs and applying it in the following activities (these include civilian aspects, incidents or technological disasters, military threats and international consultancy).

Monitoring radioactivity on behalf of the Federal Office for Public Health (SFOPH)
Examination of selected samples (in some cases food), primarily on behalf of the cantonal authorities and a number of federal offices
Interdisciplinary function in relation to DDPS radiation protection – maintaining contact with SUVA / SFOPH
Research projects with Swiss and international universities on the presence of isotopes in nature, on the behaviour of radionuclides in the environment, as well as specific aspects of the problems of nuclear contamination in the former Soviet Union
Participation in national bodies to manage incidents (such as transport /nuclear power plant accidents involving the release of radioactivity)
Provision of mobile measuring equipment as part of the "Emergency Organisation Radioactivity" (EOR).
Survey of radioactive contamination following detonation of nuclear weapons
Forecasts of the radiation doses associated with such incidents; protective measures
Supporting the Swiss delegation to the Geneva Conferences on Disarmament
Swiss representation in NATO bodies (Land Group 7) on all radioactivity matters
Inspections related to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO) verification

Head: Dr. Béatrice Balsiger	Deputy: Dr. Stefan Röllin	Ruth Holzer

Dieter Zehr	Markus Astner	François Byrde	Hans Sahli

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