ASN Report 2018

1.1.2  –  The social networks The website content, which can be consulted on smartphones or tablets, is also shared on the main social media (primarily Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn). The news feeds of the ASN social media accounts convey the main position statements. The major events in which ASN participates (parliamentary hearings, public meetings) are announced and can be followed in real time on the social networks. Since 2011, social media have been integrated in the communication organisation set-up for the emergency exercises and participate in the “media pressure simulations”. The issue at stake is to take into account factors such as the immediacy of the reactions, the urgency of the need for information and the speed of dissemination of incorrect or incomplete information, etc. In such emergency situations, whether simulated or real, ASN takes care to ensure the consistency, speed and clarity of the information delivered, including when it is delivered by other players. ASN news is followed and passed on by more than 9,000 subscribers on Twitter, nearly 8,500 on LinkedIn and nearly 3,500 on Facebook. 1.1.3  –  The ASN/IRSN exhibition As part of their duty to inform the public, ASN and IRSN have created educational content to develop knowledge of nuclear activities and radiation protection among high school pupils, students, employees, hospital personnel, patients, etc. and more generally the public at large. This content exists in several forms: an exhibition of about 80 display boards, educational booklets and a resources website. These vectors are designed to provide information on radioactivity - whether natural or artificial - its uses, its implications and its effects on humans and the environment. Requests for information concerning this popularised content, the booklets and the exhibition are to be made to info@asn.fr . In 2018, the content of the ASN-IRSN exhibition was reorganised and referenced on line to make it readily accessible and reusable. A specific website shall be provided for the public in 2019. 1.1.4  –  The ASN Information Centre Any citizen can address requests for information to ASN, either on-line (at the address info@asn.fr) , by letter or by telephone. Each year, the on-line information centre responds to more than 1,500 requests on diverse questions (technical questions, requests for administrative documents, information relative to the environment, publications, documentary searches, etc.). 1.2  ̶  ASN and the professionals ASN produces specific publications, organises and takes part in numerous symposia and seminars to make known the regulations, to raise professionals’ awareness of the responsibilities and the implications of nuclear safety and radiation protection, and lastly to encourage the reporting of significant events. 1.2.1  –  Making known the regulations and enhancing the radiation protection culture ASN considers that having clear regulations based on the best safety standards is an important factor in improving the safety of BNIs. Over the last few years it has thus undertaken a major overhaul of the technical and general regulations applicable to BNIs, while always being attentive to the clarity and completeness of the information delivered to the public concerning these regulations. The same goes for radiation protection of workers and patients in the medical and industry sectors: ASN makes guides, practical sheets and reference manuals available to all the professionals. Information and iodine tablet distribution campaigns Every five years or so, an information and iodine tablet distribution campaign targets the populations living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants over the entire zone covered by the off-site emergency plans (PPI*). Over and beyond the distribution of stable iodine tablets, the aim is to develop citizen awareness of the nuclear risk and knowledge of the means to protect themselves against it. 2018 saw the preparatory work for the information and iodine tablet distribution campaign in the zones situated between 10 and 20 km from the nuclear installations: this campaign, which is to start in mid-2019, will take into account of recent extension of the PPI areas. It is complementary to the 2016‑2017 campaign which concerned residents in the 0‑10 km zone. Conducted by the Ministry of the Interior, it involves health professionals, education stakeholders, elected officials, CLI members, IRSN, EDF, etc. ASN will, on the strength its experience, assist the Ministry of the Interior in this procedure. (*) PPI: French acronym meaning “Off-site Emergency Plan”: local plan put in place by the Prefect to manage the consequences on the neighbouring population of an accident occurring on a site presenting risks. The “Les cahiers de l’ASN” magazine # 1: Nuclear power plants beyond 40 years ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2018  173 05 – INFORMING THE PUBLIC AND OTHER AUDIENCES 05