ASN’s oversight actions in 2024 led to the identification of two companies having carried out regulatory radon measurements in PABs without holding level-1 approval. Performing radon measurement services without holding the required approval is a violation punishable by the fine provided for under class-five petty offences (Article R. 1337‑14‑2 of the Public Health Code). A violation report was drawn up against one of the companies and sent to the competent Public Prosecutor. Twelve organisations approved for measuring radon (including 3 of levels 1 and 2) were inspected. ASN’s inspection focused on the verification of compliance with the applicable requirements of the Public Health Code and more specifically its Articles L. 1333‑29 to 31 and R. 1333‑166, with the Order of 26 February 2019 on the methods of radon management in certain PABs, and three ASN resolutions, two of which came into force in early 2023: ASN resolution 2015-DC-0506 of 9 April 2015, ASN resolution 2022-DC-0743 of 13 October 2022 and ASN resolution 2022-DC-0745 of 13 October 2022. The results of these inspections are satisfactory on the whole. The demands formulated by ASN, whether in follow-up letters to previous inspections, in approval notification correspondence or further to reported issues, are generally well taken into account. The applicable regulatory texts and standards are virtually always correctly referenced and accessible. All the persons responsible for installing and removing the radon detectors, then drafting and validating the reports, have a valid training certificate. From the methodological aspect, all the equipment used meets the regulatory requirements and is correctly stored. The regulatory detector installation time is always observed. The work reports are clear, almost always complete (a few omissions and repetitions are nevertheless still noted from time to time) and submitted within the regulatory deadline. Transmission of the measurement results via the “Simplified-procedures” tool is progressing, although improvements can be made in data entry times and filling out the data fields. In the organisations where qualified personnel numbers so permit, measures are sometimes taken to ensure the quality of the services and the reports (information meeting and pairing of workers at the start of a new season, peer reviewing of reports, etc.); such initiatives, which are still the exception, must be encouraged. With regard to quality, even when there is no certified system, the majority of the radon measurement activities are governed by a methodology and procedures, including within the smallest organisations. Lastly, the annual activity reports are transmitted to ASN within the set deadlines. Among the main lines of progress identified in 2024, the analysis of the measurement regulatory framework is a major issue. Many reports studied prior to inspections and counted in the organisations’ annual reports concern PABs that are not subject to the radon monitoring obligation, and the measurement scope (one or two establishments, number of buildings) is not always correctly defined. Yet these aspects determine the value attributed to the PAB (one or two values) and the follow-ups (obligatory or recommended). As in 2023, the methods of determining homogeneous zones and the methodology of calculating the activity concentration values to attribute to a homogeneous zone figure among the main lines of progress identified. In effect, an error in the calculation methodology can lead to incorrect conclusions and inappropriate follow-ups, which constitutes a particularly prejudicial deviation. The doctrine applicable in the event of detector loss or damage, which is described in the FAQs published by ASN, is not always set out in the organisations’ measurement procedures. Lastly, the information concerning the follow-ups figuring in the reports is not always exhaustive and the deadlines given to the ordering parties for the effectiveness checks are still sometimes incorrect. This year, the departure of experienced qualified personnel (retirement, resignation, etc.) is a factor requiring particular attention because, if not planned for, it can have a direct impact on the quality of the measurement services. If the approved organisations made more systematic use of the FAQs and the self- assessment matrix issued in February and April 2024 respectively, some of the observed deviations concerning the methodology and the content of the reports could be avoided. Lastly, for the first time, as part of the strategy to combat fraud and falsification, ASN conducted cross-checks of documents during an inspection with the aim of checking more exhaustively the traceability of certain substantiating records relating to the radon measurement services. This check did not reveal any irregularities. In addition to these checks, inspections may be conducted in the future during the intervention of approved organisations in order to examine the strategy and methods of installing the radon detectors. Nouvelle‑Aquitaine / Occitanie BORDEAUX DIVISION • In Occitanie, inspection – assisted by the ARS – of the Departmental Council of the Tarn département in its role as a PAB public administrator subject to the radon monitoring obligation. The regulations are correctly applied in the PABs concerned and remediation measures are always taken if concentrations higher than the reference level are detected. • In Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, inspection of the Departmental Council of the Dordogne département. All the lower secondary schools subject to a measurement obligation by virtue of their PAB status underwent a screening campaign in 2019. Only one of these schools required remediation measures, whose effectiveness will be verified by a new measurement campaign planned in 2025. Normandie CAEN DIVISION • Inspection of one specific workplace: the former iron mine in May‑sur‑Orne, where work to fill in a gallery section was in progress. The regulatory provisions applicable for radiation protection are known and taken into account with great diligence. • Inspection of the Town Council of Cherbourg-en‑Cotentin. The local authority is behind schedule in applying the regulations; the initial measurements in the buildings concerned are scheduled for winter 2024-2025. Provence‑Alpes‑ Côte d’Azur / Occitanie MARSEILLE DIVISION • Inspection, assisted by the ARS Occitanie, of the Departmental Council of the Gard département in its role as a PAB administrator subject to the radon measurement obligation. The applicable regulatory provisions are known and the measurements have been taken; tracking of the actions required in view of the results can nevertheless be improved. • Inspection of the Town Council of Hyères: a record of measurements shows results below the reference level; nevertheless, the obligations to inform the public and check the long-term effectiveness have not been met. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 119 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 AP Nuclear activities: ionising radiation and health and environmental risks
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