Majority Germans afraid nuke weapons will be used in war: Survey

More than half of the German population is afraid that nuclear weapons will be used in an armed conflict, a survey published on Tuesday showed.

Some 58% of respondents are afraid of a possible use of nuclear weapons, while 57% fear a nuclear accident, a survey published by Germany's Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) showed.

The fear stems mainly from Russia's war against Ukraine, BfS President Inge Paulini said. For the study, 2,002 people were surveyed by telephone between May and July 2024.

The changed security situation since the war's outbreak in February 2022 has played a role in Germans' perception of radiation dangers, Paulini added. Her office has been continuously providing information on new developments since then, such as those concerning Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Knowledge about radon still not widespread

The radiation expert said there is a need for information about the dangers posed by the radioactive gas radon, as the survey revealed "large gaps in awareness."

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground. Even the smallest cracks in a building's foundation are enough to allow the gas to seep in. If it accumulates in living areas, residents regularly inhale the gas, increasing the risk of lung cancer.

"Although radon is one of the main causes of lung cancer, knowledge about it is limited," emphasized Paulini. Radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.

In the study, 94% of respondents stated they had not taken any actions to protect against radon so far - only 3% reported taking measures. This includes regular ventilation, Paulini explained. Among the topics where people desire more information, radon was mentioned most frequently at 77%.

Some protect themselves from radiation

Regarding mobile phones, nearly a quarter of those surveyed, or 22%, indicated they took measures to protect themselves from radiation.

"And they do this, even though there are actually guidelines and limits to protect users from health-related effects," Paulini stressed.

On one hand, there is a larger group that backs smartphones and the internet and is unconcerned. On the other hand, there is a minority "that worries about it and is generally more sceptical of newer technologies."