The aims of the NMR and the RN lab are:
• To detect radiation incidents
• To determine the level and developments of radioactivity during incidents and to assess the impact on public health
• To provide information and advice to the (local) authorities during crisis and to help develop measures to protect society
• To monitor the environmental radiation in the Netherlands and to determine its developments over time
• To assess the discharge of radionuclides by Dutch industry, to air and water
• To serve as reachback for the Dutch governmental bodies in need of radioactivity measurements and assessments (e.g. the inspectorate and customs departments, if consumer goods containing radioactivity are found)
The locations of the alfa, beta and gamma measuring stations are dispersed over the country. The radionuclide laboratory is located in Bilthoven, where air dust and deposition (mainly rain water) are collected 24 hours a day, and checked for alfa, beta and gamma radiation on a weekly basis.