Indeed, only one event of this type was rated level 1 on the INES scale. This was a case of atmospheric contamination in a laboratory which led to internal and external contamination of a worker. A reactive follow-up inspection of this laboratory is planned in 2022. Lastly, the directing of waste to the wrong disposal routes often concerns material contaminated by unsealed sources and poorly characterised before removal. ASN is also continuing its collaboration with the General Inspectorate of the National Education and Research Administration, which has competence for labour inspection in the public research sector. An agreement signed in 2014 provides for mutual information sharing to improve the effectiveness and complementarity of the inspections. An annual meeting is held to assess the functioning of this collaboration. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES The use of ionising radiation in research activities extends to various fields such as medical research, molecular biology, the agri-food industry, materials characterisation, etc. It primarily involves the use of unsealed sources (iodine-125, phosphorous-32, phosphorous-33, sulphur-35, tritium-3, carbon-14, etc.). Sealed sources (barium-133, nickel-63, caesium-137, cobalt-60, etc.) are also used in gas chromatographs or scintillation counters or, with higher-activity sources, in irradiators. X-ray generators rays are used for X-ray fluorescence or X-ray diffraction spectrum analyses. The use of scanners for small animals (cancer research) in research laboratories and faculties of medicine should also be noted. Particle accelerators are used in research into matter or for the manufacture of radionuclides. GRAPH Trends in the number of events reported to ASN in the research sector 12 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Number rated level 0 Number rated level 1 Number rated level 2 GRAPH Distribution over the French territory, according to the competent ASN entity, of licensed or registered facilities using sources of ionising radiation in the research sector in 2021 11 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 Dijon Caen DTS Orléans Lille Nantes Strasbourg/ Châlons Lyon Marseille Bordeaux Paris Number of authorisations Authorisations Registrations 3 2 3 3 2 11 17 17 20 26 43 45 67 93 94 197 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2021 255 08 – SOURCES OF IONISING RADIATION AND THEIR INDUSTRIAL, VETERINARY AND RESEARCH APPLICATIONS 08 07 13 04 10 06 12 14 03 09 05 11 02 AP 01
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