The early warning system of a nuclear or radiological emergency comprising 33 measuring stations has arrived to Serbia and the preparations for its installation are ongoing. As we have already informed the public, these measuring stations are the donation of the European Commission (EC), which was realized through the project of “Supply and installation of an Early Warning Radiation Monitoring Network (EWRMN) in Western Balkans“, in which Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM) has participated since 2021.

Bearing in mind that there are a few active nuclear power plants in the countries in our surroundings, as well as the fact that the construction of new nuclear reactors in Hungary is under way, the installation of the new system will significantly upgrade the existing emergency warning and notification system in our country.

These 33 measuring stations will be deployed in a manner to cover the entire territory of Serbia commensurate with the already established risks. The installation of the new network of  stations will improve the mechanism for timely implementation of the appropriate measures to protect the public and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

The existing early warning system of a nuclear or a radiological emergency, which is under the competence of the Directorate, was established in 2007 and consists of nine measuring stations.

In accordance with the Law on Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security (“Official Gazette of RS”, Nos 95/19 and 10/19), the Directorate, among other things, is responsible for monitoring the radioactivity level, its changes, assessing its impact on the public and the environment, and providing guidilines on the implementation of the appropriate measures. A part of the radioactivity monitoring system, that is to say, the early warning system of a nuclear or radiological emergency is the network of measuring stations – detectors that automatically measure the radioactivity in the environment.

Once the installation of the new early warning system has been finalized, Serbia will have its territory covered by the most advanced equipment used for this purpose.