REMEDIATION OF RADIUM LEGACIES FROM THE SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY

Abstract

Discovery of radioactive radium contaminations in a former landfill site in Biel was made in 2014. Following this, it was decided to search for and remediate sites that had possibly been contaminated with radium as a result of its use in the watchmaking industry between 1920 and 1960. This work describe the general approach to identify survey and remediate affected sites. The methods is based on the concept of existing exposure situations as developed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and is supported by an action plan for radium 2015–2019 approved by the Federal Council in 2015. The plan comprises four steps: the search for potentially contaminated sites, the measurement and assessment of each site, the remediation of those sites where the public would be exposed to an annual dose higher than 1 mSv, and actions to secure the landfill sites. The arrangements for each step are described in the present article. The measurement and remediation procedures imply intrusions into the privacy of the inhabitants. This requires the public authorities to actively inform the population and to develop an effective and transparent means of communication. The actions developed for this are also described.