3.2.2 Evaluation of the radiation protection situation BNIs excluded, ASN carried out 18 inspections from 2019 to 2023 (two of which were in 2023) in this sector, out of the 25 facilities currently licensed. These inspections show that the radiation protection organisation (in particular the appointing of an RPA), the radiological zoning put in place on the inspected licensees’premises, the informing of new employees and the performance of verifications are satisfactory, as no significant deviations from the regulations have been observed. The risk is well controlled, in particular thanks to the generally satisfactory verification, upkeep and maintenance of the facilities in accordance with the provisions described in the licensing applications. Nevertheless, ASN has found in about one in four inspections that it would be worthwhile adding safety devices or improving their verification. Furthermore, in about one inspection in three, ASN observed that the operator entered the irradiation facility without a radiation monitoring device, even though checking the ambient radiological activity level is a means of ensuring that the sealed radioactive source has indeed returned to the safe position in its biological shielding, thereby preventing any risk of accidental exposure. The availability and proper functioning of the safety devices and the prevention measures taken by the operators will be points on which ASN will focus particular attention in the future inspections in this sector. 1. To which can be added seven licenses to use an accelerator, either exclusively under worksite conditions, or for the shared use of a device of which possession is regulated by the other party's license. 3.3 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS 3.3.1 The devices used A particle accelerator is defined as a device or installation in which electrically charged particles undergo acceleration, emitting ionising radiation at an energy level in excess of 1 megaelectronvolt (MeV). When they meet the characteristics specified in Article R. 593‑3 of the Environment code concerning the BNI nomenclature, these facilities are listed as BNIs. Some applications necessitate the use of beams of photons or electrons produced by particle accelerators. The installed base of particle accelerators in France, whether linear (linacs) or circular (synchrotrons), comprises in 73 licensed facilities(1) (excluding cyclotrons – see point 4.2 – and BNIs), possessing slightly more than one hundred particle accelerators, which can be used in highly diverse areas such as: ∙ research, which sometimes requires the coupling of several machines (accelerator, implanter, etc.); ∙ radiography (fixed or mobile accelerator); ∙ radioscopy of lorries and containers during customs checks (fixed‑site or mobile accelerators); ∙ modification of material properties; ∙ sterilisation; ∙ conservation of foodstuffs; ∙ others. In the field of research, two synchrotron radiation production facilities can be mentioned in France: the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, and the Optimised Source of Intermediate‑Energy Light of the Lure Laboratory (Soleil) synchrotron in Gif‑sur‑Yvette. GRAPH Breakdown of particle accelerators by end‑purpose in 2023 10 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Number of licensees 1 6 10 Neutron analysis Other Surface treatment (including polymer cross-linking) Measuring instrument calibration Veterinary radiotherapy Ion implantation Sterilisation Logging Security inspection Design of accelerators with a view to selling them Non-destructive inspection Scientific research 2 2 2 4 4 3 3 3 33 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 261 • 08 • Sources of ionising radiation and their industrial, veterinary and research applications 08 05 15 11 04 14 06 07 13 AP 03 10 02 09 12 01
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