BfS objects to criticism of Lower Saxony Environment Ministry
Date 2009.01.15
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) makes the following statement on the allegations that BfS did not in time inform the general public and the Lower Saxony Environment Ministry about the rock-mechanical situation in chamber 4 on the Asse mine’s 750-m level:
The allegations are not justified.
- On 3 December 2008, the Lower Saxony Environment Ministry (NMU) and the Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie Niedersachsen (LBEG) were informed by the former operator Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) about the rock-mechanical situation. BfS then brought Helmholtz Zentrum München to submit a report on the issue. Helmholtz Zentrum München forwarded this report to NMU and LBEG on 17 December.
- On 7 January 2009, an expert talk with NMU and LBEG took place. Only after this talk was it possible to reliably assess the situation.
- The Asse II Accompanying Group as the central body of participation and information of the public was comprehensively informed at its meeting on 13 January 2009.
- On 14 January 2009, BfS communicated the issue to the broad public.
Background
Low-level radioactive waste packages filled with concrete have been stacked in emplacement chamber 4. The residual cavities in the chamber have not been backfilled so that the waste packages would be destroyed and radioactive aerosols would be released if larger pieces of rock fell from the roof (pillar) of the emplacement chamber. However, the emplacement chamber has been sealed to the residual mine.
Measurements in chamber 4 were already carried out from 2007 by the former operator HMGU. In a first assessment of measurement results on 17 December 2008, the Federal Environment Ministry, NMU, the former operator of Asse, HMGU, and BfS jointly arrived at the conclusion that there was currently no acute danger requiring immediate danger prevention measures. Nevertheless, BfS immediately started planning an additional sealing of the plugs of chamber 4.