Age-specific and cumulative mortality rates are presented for different cancer sites from 1970 until 1988 for the 11 individual federal states of West Germany (FRG). Sex- and age-specific evaluations are performed and temporal and regional trends in mortality from different cancer sites are revealed. In the FRG there is no comprehensive cancer registry with national coverage for recording cancer patients of all ages (nationwide incidence rates are available only for childhood cancers). Therefore, in view of the lack of a nationwide cancer registry the importance of long-term cancer mortality studies for health policy is emphasized. Methodological aspects of certification regulations and classification of cancer sites are discussed.

Four institutes, all of which are involved in nuclear-emergency management in the Dutch-German border region, have compared their short-range dispersion and radiological dose models using scenarios consisting of single-station meteorology and two dispersed radionuclides. After adjustment of some of the parameters, the consequence of the differences in parameters on the effective dose was quantified at several stages from source to exposure. Results for the neutral stability class agreed within a factor of four. Variations in wet deposition of radioactive material, giving rise to external radiation from the ground, can cause significant variations to the effective dose. Furthermore, the way the different emergency-management tools model the atmospheric dispersion for a stable stability class in the horizontal plane can generate large differences. Finally, the methodology of calculating cloudshine is not comparable among the models, which causes the effective dose near the source to show large deviations for high emission sources.

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An essential part of a protection strategy for radiological emergencies is the development of national dose criteria and of operational intervention levels (OILs) to decide about protective measures for all ten scenarios Germany is preparing. For the process of planning and implementing such protection strategies as required by the German Radiation Protection Law the Federal Ministry BMU has commissioned the German Radiation Protection Commission (SSK) to recommend dose criteria and OILs for emergency response measures. OILs link a chosen dose criterion for a protective action with a suitable measurement of the contamination situation such as ambient dose rate (μSv h−1), contamination level on surfaces (Bq cm−2) or activity content (Bq g−1, Bq cm−3). This link should adequately model the exposure of persons during a defined exposure period (e.g. seven days, one year) caused by the measured contamination. Dose calculations to quantify OILs should apply assumptions and parameter values that are in tendency realistic and not unduly conservative. OILs have been developed for the following emergency response actions based on radiation measurements: Sheltering on the basis of dose rate (μSv h−1) and contamination level(Bq cm−2). Evacuation on the basis of dose rate (μSv h−1) and contamination level(Bq cm−2). Establishing a radiological hazard area to implement access andcontamination control on the basis of dose rate (μSv h−1) and contaminationlevel (Bq cm−2). Contamination control and possibly decontamination of persons and objects(items, goods, vehicles, etc) based on contamination level (Bq cm−2). A set of precautionary early actions: warning the population not toconsume freshly contaminated food and agricultural measures to reducefood contamination based on dose rate (μSv h−1). Application of maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination offood and feed (Bq kg−1) according to Euratom Regulation.

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