TÜV Rheinland^®

Frequently asked questions

We are currently receiving a lot of questions with the purpose of assessing the current radiological situation in Japan.

This is an overview of frequently asked questions and some answers:

• Which test methods can be used?

  • Surface contamination measurements, wipe test, dose rate measurements, scintillation measurement and gamma spectrometry. TÜV Rheinland offers all these test methods.

• Which types of radiation can be detected (alpha, beta, gamma radiation)?

  • All types of radiation can be measured; the feasibility of performing them depends on the measuring equipment used, the type of product and the contamination location (surface or in volume). Nuclide-specific measurements are only possible using gamma spectrometry.

• Which types of measuring equipment are used (mobile, stationary)?

  • TÜV Rheinland has laboratory facilities as well as mobile equipment for dose rate and contamination measurements.

• What are the test costs for the individual methods per sample?

  • The costs depend on the task in hand and the extent of the task. Please see our price sheet.

• What are the qualifications of the deployed personnel?

  • Advice is provided by experienced radiation protection experts. Assistance with measurements is available from trained specialists (technicians).

• What are the laboratory’s qualifications?

  • The specialist unit and the laboratories are certified in accordance with ISO 9001. The dose rate measurement equipment is standardised, the contamination equipment is calibrated with certified emitters and the laboratories are successfully involved in regular comparison measurements.

• Which types of contamination are dangerous/not permitted?

  • The Federal Environmental Agency has issued an ordinance specifying permissible aircraft contamination.

    The Federal Environmental Agency has also issued recommendations regarding permissible contamination of surfaces for goods and ships arriving from Japan.

    Permissible levels of contamination in food are set out in an EU Directive.

• Can my company perform its own measurements?

  • Of course, you can also buy your own measuring equipment. We would be pleased to advise you in this respect. Equipment is available on the market even for larger scopes. We can also provide training for your company, which is recommended prior to using and operating such equipment.

• Can my company take its own steps for decontamination?

  • This may or may not be useful or technically feasible depending on the case in hand. We would be pleased to advise you in this respect. A tested and proven process is required before such measures can be implemented. They may result in waste for which particular disposal specifications are in place.

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Radiation protection coordination units

If you’re looking for advice about specific issues and measuring techniques, our colleagues in the coordination units in Germany and Japan will be happy to help.

For the purposes of efficient processing and in order to ensure that your questions are answered as quickly as possible, please provide as much information as you can on product types, manufacturing and export locations, your consultation needs/laboratory analyses/contamination readings etc.

Your contact in Germany

Your contact in Japan

Related News

Here you find press releases related to the current situation around Fukushima and to trends and developments in the energy-sector.

• TÜV Rheinland Japan verifies radiation safety of public facilities after decontamination in Minamisoma city, in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant
• Sustainability: TÜV Rheinland launches Green Solutions Tour 2012
• Worldwide TÜV Rheinland study on electromobility
• TÜV Rheinland Japan introduces “Radiation Protection Measurements Monitored by TÜV Rheinland”
• TÜV Rheinland in Japan