Abstract

Following a reassessment of the Asse II mine in 2008, the German Commission on Radiological Protection (Strahlenschutzkommission, SSK) has since been examining questions relating to radiological protection with a view to decommissioning the mine. As an advisory body to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit, BMUB), one of the Commission’s duties laid down in its statutes is to help ensure that the principles of radiological protection can be and are in fact complied with when decommissioning the Asse II mine in order to achieve the protection goals.

When reviewing past events in connection with emplacement of radioactive waste in the Asse II mine, public discussions have repeatedly led to accusations of scientists neglecting their duty to society and failing to share enough information about developments which, in hindsight, were deemed erroneous. The SSK therefore feels compelled to get involved and ensure that the principles of protection – justification, optimisation and application of dose limits – are taken into account, even under the difficult circumstances present at the Asse II mine. Within the context of an extremely complex undertaking such as the decommissioning of the Asse II mine, the SSK believes that humans and the environment can only be protected from the effects of ionising radiation if every factor involved is discussed openly and on an expert level.