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Radiation protection: equipment & the right behaviour
Facts, not panic: what the readings mean, which equipment really helps in an emergency and how to behave in a radiation emergency – based on the recommendations of the BfS and BBK.
Note: These recommendations are based on the German authorities (BfS, BBK). In an emergency, always follow the instructions of the authorities in your country.
Understanding the readings
| Ambient dose rate | Context |
|---|---|
| 0.05 – 0.18 µSv/h | Normal natural background in Germany – depending on geology and altitude. |
| up to ~0.3 µSv/h | Permanently normal in granite regions (Ore Mountains, Bavarian Forest, Black Forest). Also briefly elevated after rain (radon washout). |
| 0.5 – 1 µSv/h sustained | Unusual – watch for official announcements (NINA app, BfS, radio). A single reading does not yet mean an incident. |
| significantly higher | Only to be expected in a real emergency. In that case, follow the instructions of the authorities – see rules of conduct below. |
For comparison: chest X-ray ≈ 100 µSv (single dose), intercontinental flight ≈ 50–100 µSv, natural annual dose in Germany ≈ 2,100 µSv.
Basic equipment: what you really need
- Geiger counter / dosimeter – makes you independent of the internet and official infrastructure. Our recommendations (2 top devices + 1 budget entry model).
- Battery-powered radio (FM/DAB+) – the most reliable source of information in an emergency, plus the NINA warning app on your phone.
- Power bank & batteries – communication devices and your meter need to keep running.
- Drinking water – BBK rule of thumb: 2 litres per person per day, with a supply for up to 10 days.
- Long-life food – tinned food, rice, pasta; nothing that needs to be refrigerated.
- FFP3 masks – reduce the inhalation of radioactive airborne particles when you cannot avoid being outdoors.
- Plastic sheeting & tape – for temporarily sealing windows, door gaps and ventilation openings.
- Document pouch – IDs, insurance papers and important documents ready to hand in one place.
- First-aid kit & hygiene products – as for any emergency preparedness.
Iodine tablets: only when instructed by the authorities!
Potassium iodide tablets (65 mg) protect only the thyroid gland against radioactive iodine – they have no effect against any other sources of radiation. Timing is crucial: taken too early or too late, they are useless. That is why the rule is: only take them when the authorities explicitly tell you to. They are recommended mainly for people under 45, children and pregnant women; in an emergency, the civil protection authorities distribute the tablets. Normal iodine dietary supplements are not a substitute, and taking them continuously as a precaution is harmful to your health.
What to do in a radiation emergency
- Go indoors and stay indoors. Solid buildings provide the best shielding – cellars or interior rooms are ideal. Even a single outer wall significantly reduces the dose.
- Close windows and doors, switch off ventilation and air conditioning. Seal gaps with plastic sheeting/tape if necessary.
- Stay informed: NINA app, radio, official channels of the BfS and the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Instructions from the authorities take priority over anything circulating on social media.
- Do not evacuate on your own initiative. Outside in a car you are less protected than inside a house – only drive when the authorities tell you to.
- After spending time outdoors: Take off outer clothing outside or in the hallway and put it in a plastic bag, shower and wash your hair.
- Do not eat anything from the garden (fruit, vegetables, mushrooms) and bring pets indoors until the authorities give the all-clear.
- Tap water can usually still be used at first – rainwater cannot. Here too: wait for official guidance.
Buying a Geiger counter: what to look for?
- Sensor type: Classic Geiger-Müller tubes (e.g. the GQ GMC series) are robust and inexpensive; scintillation detectors (e.g. Radiacode) are much more sensitive, faster and can identify nuclides.
- Types of radiation: Beta + gamma is standard; alpha detection (pancake tube) is only needed for special cases such as material testing.
- Data logging & app: If you want to track readings over time, look for internal memory, USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
- Alarm function: Adjustable thresholds turn the device into a watchdog running in the background.
- Calibration: Consumer devices reliably show trends but are not certified measuring instruments – perfectly adequate for home use.
- Steer clear of no-name “dosimeter pens”: Very cheap devices without a named manufacturer often show made-up readings. Better to buy a branded device – second-hand if need be.