ASN Report 2020

In 2020, ASN carried out 37 inspections, comprising 2 inspections in the facilities of the company Ionisos (Pouzauges and Sablé‑sur‑Sarthe), 31 in small-scale nuclear activities, 3 concerning approved organisations and 1 in the transport of radioactive substances. One significant event in 2020 at the Ionisos facility in Pousaugeswas rated level 1 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES scale), due tononcompliance with the general operating rules. Ionisos irradiator The company Ionisos operates two industrial ionisation installations on the sites of Pouzauges (Vendée départe- ment ) and Sablé‑sur‑Sarthe (Sarthe département ). These installations constitute Basic Nuclear Installation (BNI) 146 and 154 respectively. The gamma radiation emitted is used to sterilise, destroy pathogenic germs or reinforce (by cross-linking) the technical properties of certain polymers, by exposing the products to be ionised (single-use medical equipment, packaging, raw materials and f inished productions for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, packing films) for a pre-determined length of time. The installation comprises a pool for underwater storage of the radioactive sources which is surmounted by a bunker in which the ionisation operations are performed, premises for storing the products before and after treatment, offices and technical rooms. ASN considers that operation of the irradiator at Sablé-sur- Sarthe with regard to nuclear safety and radiation protection is satisfactory. With regard to the Pouzauges irradiator, ASN considers that the licensee demonstrates transparency, but a lack of operating rigour has nevertheless been noted. ASN continued its examination of the periodic safety review reports of the two irradiators in 2020. Several modif ication projects concerning the Pouzauges facility are currently being examined, and ASN has authorised extension of the period of utilisation of sealed sources in the Sablé‑sur‑Sarthe facility. The Nantes division regulates nuclear safety, radiation protection and the transport of radioactive substances in the 5 départements of the Pays de la Loire region. Pays de la Loire Region THE INSTALLATIONS AND ACTIVITIES TO REGULATE COMPRISES: Basic Nuclear Installations: • the Ionisos irradiator in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, • the Ionisos irradiator in Pouzauges; small-scale nuclear activities in the medical sector: • 7 external-beam radiotherapy departments, • 2 brachytherapy units, • 11 nuclear medicine departments, • 40 centres performing fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures, • 55 computed tomography scanners, • some 2,500 medical and dental radiology devices; small-scale nuclear activities in the veterinary, industrial and research sectors: • 1 cyclotron, • 26 industrial radiography companies, including 10 performing gamma radiography, • about 400 industrial equipment and research licenses; activities associated with the transport of radioactive substances; ASN-approved laboratories and organisations: • 4 agencies approved for radiation protection controls, • 13 organisations approved for measuring radon, • 1 head-off ice of a laboratory approved for environmental radioactivity measurements. p. 206 p. 238 p. 266 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 91 REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION