statement Measures to protect the area surrounding the Asse mine

Since 2009, BfS has been expanding and improving the measuring network for environmental monitoring. To protect their health, the Asse mine staff are controlled on a regular basis. Neither in the area surrounding the mine nor among the staff there are any abnormalities or enhanced measured values. The environmental monitoring values are in compliance with those measured at other places in Germany. Up until today, no link can be found between the operation of the Asse mine and an increased cancer rate in the area.

comment The phenomenon of the Asse mine: Many bloomers, few facts

The phenomenon of the Asse mine is a good educational example with many facets and an abundance of colourful bloomers. One of the most recent bloomers accrued from the question as to how banks evaluate buildings and plots located near the Asse mine. According to research carried out by journalist, bankers rate these properties as risk financing; accordingly, buyers have to face worse conditions. At no point were questions asked as to what hazards and risks were actually talked about. The words "Asse mine" alone are sufficient to provide a basis for an evaluation - a self-fulfilling prophecy.

statement How dangerous is radioactivity in the low-dose range?

The study co-ordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) examined over 300,000 workers in the nuclear field from three different countries. It supports the assumption that also relatively low and protracted radiation doses may enhance the risk of leukaemia. The study provides an indication for this but no direct evidence.

The BfS does not expect for the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection to be modified, since as a precaution, these recommendations take large uncertainties of previous findings into account. The study underlines the importance of further research work in this field.