Radiation protection areas are established in the case of activities requiring a permit under national radiation protection legislation. Depending on the level of radiation exposure, a distinction is drawn between monitoring areas, controlled areas and exclusion areas with regard to the external and internal radiation exposure. Wherever EU regulations apply, the following values are valid:

  • Monitoring areas
    Monitoring areas are in-plant areas which do not belong to the controlled areas and in which persons may receive an effective dose of more than 1 millisievert or organ doses higher than 15 millisievert for the eye lens or 50 millisievert for the skin, hands, forearms, feet and ankles in a calendar year.
  • Controlled areas
    In controlled areas persons may receive an effective dose of more than 6 millisievert or organ doses higher than 45 millisievert for the eye lens or 150 millisievert for the skin, hands, forearms, feet and ankles in a calendar year.
  • Exclusion areas
    Exclusion areas are part of the controlled areas where the local dosedose rate may be higher than 3 millisievert per hour.

Controlled areas and exclusion areas are to be fenced off and marked permanently and be clearly visible. A residence time of 40 hours per week and 50 weeks in a calendar year is decisive for determination of the controlled area or monitoring area limits if no other substantiated information on the residence time is available.