Alongside this, new assessments of the impacts of discharges from the facilities situated near residential areas have been carried out, using for some facilities modelling tools that are better suited to near‑field studies. As a complement, IRSN acquired a computing tool in 2020 that provides a more accurate estimate of the radiological impacts by modelling the discharges in the immediate vicinity of the site concerned and performing, if necessary, counter‑assessments of the studies provided by the licensees. In 2022, at the request of ASN, IRSN provided the cyclotron licensees with a document specifying the methodological steps for producing the radiological impact study of the atmospheric discharges from their facilities. This document details the different steps of an impact assessment, particularly the characterisation of the source term (discharges), a precise description of the local environment and of the transfers to the environment, emphasising the importance of the choice of dispersion calculation method and the final dose assessment. It is available on the ASN and IRSN websites. ASN and IRSN worked jointly, with the participation of the cyclotron licensees, to clarify in particular the way atmospheric discharge limits are worded in the licences. At present, only the maximum dischargeable activity is usually indicated. The conclusions of this work will be an input for developing the future draft regulation relative to cyclotrons (see next page). ASN performs about ten inspections at facilities of this type each year. Nine inspections were carried out in 2023, one a reactive inspection following an ESR notification (accidental release of carbon‑11 – see below – causing the facility’s authorised discharge limit to be exceeded). Apart from the distribution of unsealed radioactive sources, the aspects relating to radiation protection, safety of use and the correct operation of cyclotrons and production platforms receive particular attention during the inspections. The scope of the inspections performed includes – apart from the aspects relating to radiation protection – management of in‑house abnormal events, the monitoring and maintenance of the production equipment, the inspection of the surveillance and control systems, the gaseous discharge results and management of the waste and liquid effluents. The distribution of radiopharmaceuticals and radiochemicals is duly taken into account by the licensees. The organisation of radiation protection on the nine sites inspected is satisfactory. All the sites have designated at least one RPA, and in just one case the RPA did not have a certificate in the appropriate sector. Eight of the inspected sites have at least one person who holds the CAMARI certificate, and for the ninth site a person was undergoing CAMARI training at the time of the inspection. The exposed workers are trained and are all subject to appropriate dose monitoring. All the companies have a work equipment and radiation protection instrumentation verification programme that is established or currently being updated under the company’s annual action plan. Likewise, the inspections and verifications of the presence and correct functioning of the cyclotron safety and alarm devices, of the shielded enclosures and of the recipients containing radionuclides are carried out on all the sites. Concerning the management of radioactive sources, the maximum activity of the radionuclides held complies with the stipulations of the authorisation and appropriate measures are taken to prevent unauthorised access to the sources. The checks prior to final disposal of the waste and contaminated effluents are carried out and traced in seven of the eight sites inspected on this subject. Waste management remains a point requiring particular attention regarding the regular removal of the waste that is to be recovered by Andra. The atmospheric discharges are generally well monitored. It is this monitoring that enabled the abovementioned accidental discharge to be detected rapidly. LA RÉUNION MARTINIQUE GUADELOUPE Production for research (non-medical) Production for research (medical and non-medical) Production for in vivo diagnosis (primarily) and for research (medical or non-medical) On stand-by Planned Stopped Location of cyclotrons in France 266 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 • 08 • Sources of ionising radiation and their industrial, veterinary and research applications
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