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Radioactivity in the environment

The articles 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty address monitoring of radioactivity in the environment. The EU Member States are obliged to carry out continuous monitoring of radioactivity in the air, water and soil, and submit that information to the European Commission.

Ensuring the quality of the data collected in this database is important for example when modelling atmospheric dispersion of material released accidentally. To evaluate the comparability of data collected by the JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability, IRMM organises an annual exercise where all participating laboratories receive a test sample certified by IRMM.

2004 measurement results for the 137Cs activity in spiked air filters were collected from the 40 participating laboratories in 25 countries
2005 more than 130 units of milk powder were distributed to 62 laboratories in all Member States and Candidate Countries. The laboratories are requested to determine the specific activity of the radionuclides 40K, 137 Cs and the pure beta-decaying 90Sr in this material.
2007 226Ra, 228Ra, 234U and 238U in mineral waters

Monitoring of radioactivity in the environment at JRC-IES

Latest update 1 March, 2006

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