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Nucleair risico

This website gives information about nuclear risks that might lead to the activation of the emergency plan. You can find information here about the preparation for a possible nuclear accident. If you are looking for general information about the many aspects of the presence and applications of ionizing radiation in aspects of daily life (medical, natural, cosmic, industrial…), please visit the website of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC)..

Information guide

Nucleair risks

Radioactivity
The environment contains a natural amount of radioactivity. Every day the human body receives ionizing radiation from the earth and from the universe. Radioactivity is therefore a natural phenomenon.
Radiation and contamination
During a nuclear incident a discharge of radioactive material can happen. If a grave accident in a nuclear installation leads to radioactive discharge, then the risk comes from the contamination of the environment and from the exposure to this (...
Nuclear sites
The most famous application of radioactive material is perhaps the production of electricity in nuclear power plants. Other applications of radioactive elements can be found in medical science and industry. Next to that there are also centres doing...
Radioactive waste
Radioactive waste arises when energy is produced in nuclear power plants, when nuclear installations are dismantled, and when using radioactive substances in health care, agriculture, industry and scientific research.
Nuclear transports
Every day there are transports of nuclear material, mainly low level nuclear material. Sometimes special transports are also organized for highly radioactive material. The reprocessed fuel of the nuclear plants of Borssele, Doel and Tihange is...

What authorities do

Prevention: safety & security
Together with Bel V and other acknowledged institutions the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) check the Belgian nuclear installations.
Nuclear emergency plan
Since 1999 Belgium has a national emergency plan for coping with nuclear and radiological accidents.
Emergency planning zones
Around nuclear sites a zone has been determined, which possible protection measures for the population are prepared for by various authorities and intervention services.
Emergency plan exercises
The nuclear plan is regularly practised. By exercising the participating instances can indeed become more familiar with the emergency procedures and improvements can possibly be made to the emergency plan.
Crisis management
Emergencies are coordinated at municipal, provincial or federal level. In a nuclear emergency the national nuclear and radiological emergency plan is activated.
Warning the population
In case of an emergency on a nuclear site the population will receive information by means of various information channels.
Protection measures
If a serious accident in a nuclear installation leads to radioactive discharge, then the risk comes from the contamination of the environment and from the exposure to this (external) radiation, or even from (internal) contamination. Especially this...

What you can do

Resilience
The authorities and the nuclear site operators do everything to protect the population and the environment. You yourself as well can take part of the responsibility.
Sheltering: a good protection
In case of a nuclear or radiological emergency situation, sheltering provides effective protection for you and your family.
Protection of the food supply
The authorities take protective measures to protect the food and drinking water from irradiation.
Intake of stable iodine
By saturating the thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine in the tablets, one can prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine.
Evacuation
An evacuation aims to protect the population against the risk of radiation by air, breathing and radiation from the ground.
Decontamination
If you were outside, a few simple measures are enough to decrease the external contamination with radioactive particles.

Campaign 2011

Prevention campaign
The authorities want to sharpen the risk awareness and simultaneously make iodine tablets available for people who live or work in a nuclear emergency planning zone.
Advance distribution of iodine tablets
During the prevention campaign inhabitants and collectivities (businesses, schools…) in a nuclear emergency planning zone can freely obtain iodine tablets from the pharmacist. After the end of the campaign new inhabitants can still do so.
Distribution zones for iodine
Iodine tablets are preventively put at the disposal of households and collectivities in a zone of 20 km around the nuclear sites in Belgium (with the exception of the IRE Fleurus: 10 km) and around the sites near the country’s borders.
About iodine tablets
Taking iodine tablets blocks the absorption of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland, thus protecting it.
Absorption of iodine in the body
We need natural (non-radioactive) iodine for the proper functioning of our thyroid gland. This small amount is obtained from our food. Without protective measures, radioactive iodine can be absorbed in the body during a nuclear incident.
For whom (or better not)?
The younger,the more important it is to protect yourself against radioactive contamination. The need for people over 40 to take iodine tablets is disputed.
Recommended dose
The younger you are, the more important it is to protect yourself against radioactive contamination.

What to do in case of a nuclear accident?

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New iodine tablets!

Are you an organisation situated in the risk zone? Then you can order iodine tablets for staff and visitors.

Order them now! In Dutch / in French.

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