ASN Report 2018

measuring wear, looking for leaks or friction spots, building hydrodynamic models and in hydrology. As at 31 December 2018, the number of facilities authorised to use unsealed sources stood at 724. Graph 2 specifies the number of facilities authorised to use unsealed radioactive sources in the applications inventoried in the last five years. 1.3  ̶  Uses of electrical devices emitting ionising radiation 1.3.1  –  Main industrial applications In industry, electrical devices emitting ionising radiation are used mainly in non-destructive testing, where they replace devices containing radioactive sources. Graph 3 specifies the number of facilities authorised to use electrical devices generating ionising radiation in the listed applications. It illustrates the diversity of these applications which have evolved over the last five years. This evolution is closely related to the regulatory changes which have gradually created a new licensing or notification system concerning the use of these devices. At present, the situation of the professionals concerned is being brought into compliance in many activity sectors. The electrical devices emitting ionising radiation are chiefly X-ray generators. They are used in industry for non-destructive structural analyses (analysis techniques such as tomography, diffractometry, also called X-ray crystallography, etc.), for checking the quality of weld beads or inspecting materials for fatigue (in aeronautics in particular). These devices, which function using the principle of X-ray attenuation, are used as industrial gauges (measurement of drum filling, thickness measurement, etc.), inspection of goods containers or luggage and also the detection of foreign bodies in foodstuffs. The number of types of device available on the market can be explained more particularly by the fact that when possible, they replace devices containing radioactive sources. The advantages of this technology with regard to radiation protection are linked in particular to the total absence of ionising radiation when the equipment is not in use. Their utilisation does however lead to worker exposure levels that are comparable to those resulting from the use of devices containing radioactive sources. • Baggage inspection Ionising radiation is used constantly in security screening checks, whether for the systematic verification of baggage or to determine the content of suspect packages. The smallest and most widely used devices are installed at the inspection and screening checkpoints in airports, in museums, at the entrance to certain buildings, etc. The devices with the largest inspection tunnel cross-section are used in airports for screening air freight, large baggage items and hold baggage in airports. These devices are supplemented by tomographs, which give a series of cross-sectional images of the object being examined. The irradiation zone inside these appliances is sometime delimited by doors, but most often simply by one or more lead curtains. • X-ray body scanners This application is mentioned for information only, since the use of X-ray scanners on people during security checks is prohibited in France (in application of Article L. 1333-18 of the Public Health Code). Some experiments have been carried out in France using non-ionising imaging technologies (millimetre waves). • Inspection of consumer goods The use of devices for detecting foreign bodies in certain consumer products has developed over the last few years, such as for detecting unwanted items in food products or cosmetics. • X-ray diffraction analysis Research laboratories are making increasing use of small devices of this type, which are self-shielded. Experimental devices used for X-ray diffraction analysis can however be built by experimenters themselves with parts obtained from various suppliers (goniometer, sample holder, tube, detector, high- voltage generator, control console, etc.). • X-ray fluorescence analysis Portable X-ray fluorescence devices are used for the analysis of metals and alloys. Use of unsealed radioactive sources 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Research Use of tracers Calibration Teaching 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Number of facilities licensed Graph 2 234  ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2018 08 – SOURCES OF IONISING RADIATION AND THEIR INDUSTRIAL, VETERINARY AND RESEARCH APPLICATIONS