Asse-GmbH mounts additional warning signs for radioactivity inside the repository

Currently the Asse-GmbH provides all apparatuses, devices, containers and rooms in the Asse repository with a warning sign for radioactivity, even if only small amounts of radioactive substances could exist there. No enhanced risk underground is associated with this additional labelling. Rather the Asse-GmbH is implementing requirements resulting from the mine being now operated under nuclear law.

The labelling requirements are very rigid. Even such substances need to be labelled with labels or signs in which radioactivity could be detected potentially, but whose radiation is so low that they would not have to be labelled outside nuclear facilities. Correspondingly the warning signs for radiation can be seen more frequently in the Asse mine than was the case previously. Also the waste water of the washing places are labelled with the warning sign – as security measure in case the dust adhering to the hands should contain radioactive substances.

These strict labelling requirements are prescribed in the provisions of the Radiation Protection Ordinance which regulates the handling of radioactive substances. With taking over the Asse mine the BfS has committed to operating the mine as nuclear facility according to the more strict provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. Up until that time the repository had been operated as a mine for more than 40 years.

Through the new precautions staying in the Asse mine does not get more dangerous for visitors and staff. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) continues to control each staff and each visitor for possible contamination. Besides each person who wishes to visit the mine needs to carry a dosimeter. Thus staff, visitors and the BfS can ensure that nobody will be exposed to radioactivity.