Irsn Annual Report 2010 1

Enhancing nuclear safety

2010 ANNUAL REPORT

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01 02 03 04 ORGANIZATION I SUMMARY AND STRATEGY I ACTIVITIES I EFFICIENCY ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION

ENHANCING NUCLEAR SAFETY IN FRANCE AND AROUND THE WORLD

IRSN, a public authority with industrial and commercial activities, was set up under Article 5 of French Act No. 2001-398 of May 9, 2001, enacted through Order No. 2002-254 of February 22, 2002. This Order was amended on April 7, 2007. The Institute is placed under the joint authority of the Ministries of Defense, the Environment, Industry, Research, and Health.

It is the nation’s public service expert in nuclear and radiation risks, and its activities cover all the related scientiﬁ c and technical issues. Its areas of specialization include the environment and radiological emergency response, human radiation protection in both a medical and professional capacity, and in both normal and post-accident situations, the prevention of major accidents, nuclear reactor safety, as well as safety in plants and laboratories, transport and waste treatment, and nuclear defense expertise.

IRSN interacts with all parties concerned by these risks (public authorities, in particular nuclear safety and security authorities, local authorities, companies, research organizations, stakeholders’ associations, etc.) to contribute to public policy issues relating to nuclear safety, human and environmental protection against ionizing radiation, and the protection of nuclear materials, facilities, and transport against the risk of malicious acts.

HUMAN RESOURCES BUDGET(3) 1,768 (1) 296.4€M employees, including many spent by IRSN in 2010 specialists, such as engineers, 43.3% of budget devoted doctors, agronomists, to research, veterinarians, technicians, 47.9% of budget allocated to experts and researchers, technical support and public including 36 doctors or persons service missions. qualiﬁ ed to direct research. IRSN is also the place of work of 85.5(2) doctorate students, 28(2) post-doctorate students.

(1) This workforce consists of 1,638 persons on permanent contracts and 130 on ﬁ xed-term contracts (including 62 persons assigned to other organizations, but excluding 24 temporary assignments). (2) Expressed in full-time equivalent terms. (3) Budget excluding property restructuring project and special fund. See Financial Report for further details.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 1

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+ Foreword Agnès Buzyn P. 06 Jacques Repussard P. 07 Michel Brière P. 09 + Key events P. 10 + Major reports P. 13 + Activity: key ﬁgures P. 14 + IRSN Organization Chart P. 16 + Board of Directors P. 18 + Steering Committee for the Nuclear Defense Expertise Division P. 19 + Scientiﬁc Council P. 20 ORGANIZATION + Ethics Commission P. 20 + Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Research Policy Committee P. 21

+ Progress and main activities in 2010 P. 24 02 + Transparency and communications policy P. 32 + Promoting a safety and radiation protection culture P. 34 SUMMARY SUMMARY AND STRATEGY

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EFFICIENCY 04 ACTIVITIES 03 01 Developing tools Work ofCODIR-PA PROTECTION INHEALTHCARE EFFECTS OFCHRONIC EXPOSURE Radiationprotection intheworkplace Radioecology Polluted sitesandsoils Analyzing radiological incidents Environmental studies P. Deepgeological repositories for nuclear waste Reactors ofthefuture CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS ONFUTUREFACILITIES + defense About Natural hazards P. Accidents Fires andcontainment Aging nuclear faciliies andservicelife extension and radioactiv Monitoring plants, fuelcyclefacilities, Monitoring reactors SAFETY OFEXISTINGFACILITIES and sensitive mater Protection andcontrol ofnuclear + IRSN SITEDETAILS (ONFLAP) + FINANCIAL REPORT AT THE ENDOF THE ANNUAL REPORT + Glossary + Quality policy + Health, safety andenvironmental protection + Human resources + assets Property + Control andoperation SITUATIONS POST-ACCIDENTEMERGENCY AND Environmental monitoring ENVIRONMENTAL AND POPULATION EXPOSURE AND HUMANHEALTH RADIATION PROTECTION –ENVIRONMENT SECURITY –NON-PROLIFERATION SAFETY Preparing emergency exercises Protection against maliciousacts Fuel safety

e material shipments

ials ACTIVITIES I ORGANIZATIONSTRATEGY SUMMARY AND I

02 P.

P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. 42 P. 60 P. P. P. 94 P. 93 P. 92 P. 90 P. 89 P. 88 P. 80 P. 78 P. P. 57 P. 54 P. P. 38 P. 38 P. 60 P. 66 P. 66 P. P. 82 84 83 82 75 73 71 69 67 66 64 58 57 53 50 48 47 45 38

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ORGANIZATION IRSN took part for the ﬁ rst time in ATOMEXPO, a forum organized rst time in ATOMEXPO, IRSN took part for the ﬁ research, IRSN offered assessment, study, nuclear industry. by Russia’s and training services to a public composed of Russian, Indian, Chinese, and Italian organizations. 01

MOSCOW, RUSSIA I JUNE 7-11

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ORGANIZATION 01 ACTIVITIES I ORGANIZATIONSTRATEGY SUMMARY AND I

FOREWORD + + NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION + ETHICSCOMMISSION + SCIENTIFICCOUNCIL + STEERING COMMITTEEFOR THE + BOARD OFDIRECTORS + ORGANIZATION CHART + ACTIVITY: KEYFIGURES + MAJORREPORTS PUBLISHED + KEYEVENTS AGNÈS BUZYN AGNÈS COMMITTEE PROTECTION RESEARCHPOLICY NUCLEAR DEFENSEEXPERTISE DIVISION MICHEL BRIÈRE JACQUES REPUSSARD 02 ...... IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 03 . I EFFICIENCY 04 . P. 21 P. 20 P. 20 P. 19 P. 18 P. 16 P. 14 P. 13 P. 10 P. 09 P. 07 P. 06 5 21/06/11 12:10

ORGANIZATION FOREWORD

In 2010 IRSN completed all the necessary steps to consolidate its governance.

AGNÈS BUZYN, CHAIRPERSON

In 2010, IRSN fulfi lled all its assess- Institute came through successfully. and the opinions of the Nuclear Safety ment, research and training obli- The recommendations made during and Radiation Protection Research Policy gations, and moved forward with its the evaluation process, combined with Committee (COR). One example of this initiative to open up to society, inform an ongoing restructuring initiative in is the opinion issued on extending the the public, and promote transparency in certain areas of internal organization, service life of nuclear reactors, a prospect its activities, thus confi rming its cred- should put the Institute in a position that has already begun to raise new and ibility in the eyes of French society as to rise to the major challenges that lie sometimes unexpected questions con- a whole, during a period overshadowed ahead in the fi eld of safety and radia- cerning safety. Similarly, recent events in by the recent Japanese nuclear crisis. This tion protection. Japan have pushed back the limits and activity report provides an overview of all margins for which we were prepared, the Institute’s 2010 activities, together As part of a drive to cut government obliging us to consider increasingly com- with a certain number of cross-disciplin- spending, state-run institutions and plex emergency response situations, and ary reports concerning radiation protec- organizations have been asked to make review safety at nuclear facilities in France. tion, nuclear safety, and environmental a greater effort towards cost-effective Our expertise will be needed in situations monitoring that have been submitted to management. This constraint has encour- beyond the scope of our routine assess- the authorities and released to the public aged the Institute to pursue its efforts to ment activities, while our research teams at large. plan effectively and defi ne its priorities. It will be called on to tackle new issues. If has also raised questions as to the fund- it is to rise to all these challenges, the In addition to conducting its daily ing of certain activities. In this respect, Institute must open up and draw on the business in 2010, IRSN completed the Government decided to compensate support of existing and future coopera- all the necessary steps to consolidate for the cut in the public grant to IRSN in tion structures and partnerships, both at its governance. Thanks to the commit- 2011 by setting up a special annual con- home and abroad. It is a matter of pre- ment of all its employees, the Institute tribution to be paid by nuclear operators serving the scientifi c and technical excel- saw its ISO9001 certifi cation renewed, to partially fi nance work conducted by lence for which the Institute’s research a clear refl ection of effi cient manage- IRSN to support the French nuclear safety activities are renowned, and working to ment and high quality. The Contract of authority, the ASN. Talks are still under- ensure that its recognized performance Objectives between the State and IRSN way to address the issue of funding for as a public expert continues to build on for the period 2010-2013, a major stra- the Institute’s major research programs, innovative, forward-looking research in tegic instrument governing exchange such as those involving the Cabri reactor. an increasingly competitive, globalized between IRSN and the French authori- It is essential for these talks to succeed, world. In this way, it will be sure to pre- ties, was completed and signed by as IRSN’s research is one of the main- serve the skills and expertise it needs to the Institute’s supervisory ministries stays of nuclear safety in the long term. fulfi ll its public service obligations and at the beginning of 2011. The latest Nothing is ever achieved for good where safeguard its values of excellence and version of the contract includes some nuclear safety is concerned, which is why independence. new indicators which, although sim- the Institute must constantly open up plifi ed, are better suited to realities in new avenues of research to ensure that the fi eld. They will be used to monitor it can go on adding to the body of knowl- the Institute’s performance in accom- edge needed to drive progress in nuclear plishing its tasks year by year. Lastly, safety and radiation protection. With this IRSN’s research activities were evalu- in mind, IRSN can and must build on the ated by AERES, an evaluation that the results of the recent AERES evaluation

IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 6 21/06/11 12:10 IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 7 its supervisoryministries, anddraw- Following aclearstrategy backed by protection. onsite activitiesinthefi France andabroad, inresearch work, and tion ofnuclear facilities operating in years ormore spentincloseobserva- Institute hasacquired inthepast thirty considerable experience technical the science,state-of-the-art andonthe are founded knowledge onexpert of Its opinionsare respected becausethey in nuclear andradiological risks”. the mediaas “the French public expert It isregarded by otherinstitutionsand andorganizationaltechnical maturity. now achieved ahighdegree ofscientifi results allagree thattheInstitutehas informed ofIRSN’s activities and ers who keep themselves regularly Less thantenyears on, observ- safety, andpublichealth. protection, occupationalhealthand safety, andradiological environmental national policyinthefi eld ofnuclear pendent assessmentstohelpimplement public authorities withhigh-level, inde- tion would betasked withproviding the from nuclear operators. The new institu- Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)and would beindependentfrom theFrench create anew publicinstitutionthat With thisinmind, itwas decidedto protection institutions. the nation’s nuclear safety andradiation recognition oftheneedtoconsolidate French parliamentonMay 9, 2001, in the termsofan Act IRSN cameintolegal existence under 01 passedby the eld ofradiation c, then itmust alsoimplementastrict signifi If IRSNistomake optimum useofthe main appliedresearch priorities. damental research withtheInstitute’s a wealth ofprograms combiningfun- The new laboratories shouldgenerate research teams. long-standing relationship with CEA’s sities andtheCNRS, alongsideIRSN’s several jointlaboratories withuniver- Similarly, 2010saw thecreation of ern hemisphere. nuclear power plantacross thenorth- persal ofrelease from theFukushima it possibletoforecast occurately thedis- deserve aspecialmention, asthey made scientifi For example, theInstitute’s excellent scientifi New andoutstandingexamples of IRSN doesnotwork alone, however. safety andsecurity. tifi researchfunding tosupport andscien- nizes theneedfor suffi is aclearsignthatpolicymakers recog- paid by nuclear operators. This decision Institute, basedona “contribution” tobe tional publicfundingsystemfor the The 2010Budget Act setupanaddi- parliament. from thepublicauthoritiessupport and commitment ofitspersonnel, these promising results tothestrong To agreat extent, the Instituteowes progress. or soemployees, IRSNcontinues to strengthsand technical ofits1800 ing onthecommitmentandscientifi ACTIVITIES I ORGANIZATIONSTRATEGY SUMMARY AND I c assessmentsinthefi cant publicfundsallocatedtoit, c relations withMétéo-France c cooperation are emerging.

and society. science, regulations, the world,inindustry, safety inFranceandaround JACQUES REPUSSARD, cient, long-term 02 Enhancing nuclear Enhancing nuclear eld ofnuclear and to c

manag certifi pr management policy, basedon: attention worldwide. IRSNmust fi the Fukushima disaster, progress inthis mance innuclear safety. Inthewake of – thatare central toeffective perfor- trial, scientifi regulatory,c, andsocietal effort inthefourcerted aspects –indus- accident. progress Such callsfor acon- be seriously polluted intheevent ofan sive areas around nuclear sitescannot higher level ofassurance thatexten- must now beachieved toreach astill Further progress innuclearsafety Cabri reactor operated by CEAfor IRSN. the renovation program concerning the May 2010, andby costsanddelays in cal incidentattheFeursmétal plantin This was demonstrated by theradiologi- with itsown activitiesandobjectives. is notimmune torisks liabletointerfere related decision-makingprocess. IRSN gency response andspeedingupthe a specialstructure for organizing emer- internal risks, andthedevelopment of par agencies, gets for nuclear industryrecruitment areleading experts justifiably prime tar- age underforty-two years) andwhose a relatively young workforce (average tices. This isessentialinaninstitutewith ment measures, inlinewithbestprac- policy andproactive careers advance- eld willnodoubtreceive more urgent

ocesses, constantly optimized human resource improved risk control, whichcalls in DIRECTOR GENERAL quality assurance inproduction ticular f cation, ement, IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 or heightenedawareness of validated by ISO9001 03 withademandinghiring I EFFICIENCY 04 7 21/06/11 12:10

ORGANIZATION FOREWORD

therefore pursue its action in this direc- in natural environments, rapidly obtain efforts of all those determined to rise tion, nationally and within Europe. A the results of fi eld measurements per- to this challenge. Just a few words to European framework is often well suited formed to quantify any additional radi- encapsulate a large number and wide to research and development efforts and onuclides present in the environment variety of activities in the fi eld, to sup- initiatives to share knowledge and pool or in foodstuffs, and carry out fast and port the many partners and custom- certain emergency response resources. thorough assessments of doses received ers whose satisfaction is our greatest In 2010, IRSN endeavored to promote by exposed populations. achievement.nt. scientific and technical cooperation among technical safety organizations IRSN is among the few expert organi- (TSOs), by consolidating ETSON, the zations in the world with the neces- European association that brings them sary skills and resources to perform together, and through research net- such operations. As evidence of this, works such as SARNET, which sets the the Institute had the honor of being des- standard for research into the manage- ignated as a World Health Organization ment of nuclear reactor core meltdown reference center in the fi eld of radiation accidents. protection. The Institute also contributed to efforts Nonetheless, many challenges still lie to disseminate knowledge. As part of ahead for radiation protection scientists, these efforts, it joined other TSOs in and much remains to be done to develop founding ENSTTI, the European Nuclear measurement methods that will deliver Safety Training and Tutoring Institute, high-quality results with the speed that further to the French President’s the situation demands. announcement at the Paris international Progress must also be made to under- nuclear conference in April 2010. stand more about how radioactivity affects living organisms exposed over The importance of the economic long periods to doses which, though low, and societal factors of radiation pro- are higher than those associated with tection have been brought to our natural radioactivity. Here, too, interna- attention not only by the Fukushima tional cooperation is the best answer. In accident, but also by incidents which, 2010, IRSN was involved in setting up although negligible in comparison with MELODI, an international association the disaster in Japan, are closer to for research into the effects of low- home, one example being the incident dose radiation. It also headed a group in St-Maur-des-Fossés near Paris, which of European organizations in creating caused small quantities of tritium to be a network of excellence specialized in released in an urban environment. radioecology research. Effective management of nuclear or radiological accidents and incidents “Enhancing nuclear safety in France relies on a number of vital parameters, and around the world” – this is the including the ability to develop models motto that IRSN has chosen to illus- to predict the migration of radionuclides trate its contribution to the combined

IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 8 21/06/11 12:10 IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 9 charge ofNuclearSafety andRadiation ment requests from theRepresentative in IRSN responds toahundred orsoassess- analysis for civilapplications. Every year, possible, basedonthoseusedin safety the Department’s engineers are, wherever methods andreference systemsused by pose served by militaryapplications, the activities. Without losingsightofthepur- the safety authority for defense-related and radiation protection requirements to opinion regarding compliancewithsafety other branches ofindustryandgive their by operators inthedefense sectoror tion, they etc.), analyze fi neering, seismicdesign, radiation protec- engineering, criticality, engi- mechanical Institute’s various fi (civil elds ofexpertise facilities andactivities. Drawing onthe familiar withdefense-related nuclear twenty engineers who are perfectly Assessment Depar ing ontheirtype: the following fourdepend- departments legislation. They are carried outby oneof sary, incompliancewithoffi capacityand,a support whenever neces- oftheGovernment’sas part action, orin consist ofassessmentsperformed directly purposes. Inmostcases, theseactivities nuclear sector, whether for civilordefense the applicationofdefense codeinthe to carryoutactivitiesaimedatensuring lates thatthepurpose oftheDivisionis The Order enactedtocreate IRSNstipu- goals, resources andactivities. the timeseemsripe for areminder ofits Defense Divisionwas Expertise setup, Eight years afterIRSN’s Nuclear The NuclearDefense Safety 01 tment les submitted les cial secrets cial emplo ys

Depar and Facilities. Protection for Defense-related Activities rent) as part ofthenationalcontrolrent) of as part materials (excluding thenuclear deter- – centralized accountancy ofnuclear activities: specialists who carryoutthefollowing Depar so OPCWinspectionsinFrance. Euratom orthe IAEA, aswell astenor about fi fty inspectionsconductedby year, these specialistsprepare andassist andbiologicalchemical weapons. Every trol, andinconnectionwiththebanon Government onnuclear materials con- eral signedby undertakings theFrench international agreements andbilat- requiredcal support toimplement relevant authorities withthetechni- twenty specialistswho provide the dred every year). forming facility inspections(aboutahun- theabove– supporting authority by per- authority, examined year each for thecompetent at theirfacilities. Nearly 400fi les are tancy andcontrol ofnuclear materials concerning physical protection, accoun- – examining fi out two typesofactivity: facilities, andtransportation. They carry cious actsrelating tonuclear materials, specialized inprotection against mali- A ACTIVITIES I ORGANIZATIONSTRATEGY SUMMARY AND I pplication Depar

The Technical andStudy Support The InternationalInspections The NuclearFacility Security tment tment

les submittedby operators employs alittleover thirty consists of thirty experts experts consistsofthirty assessment activities. to defenseandsecurity structure adapted IN CHARGEOFDEFENSE-RELATED MISSIONS MICHEL BRIÈRE, DEPUTYDIRECTOR GENERAL tment employs 02 An organizational An organizational and policiesasawhole. on theInstitute’s knowledge, methods nature oftheseactivities, while drawing create IRSN, take accountofthespecifi accordance with theOrder enactedto proliferation. The provisions madein in thearea ofnuclear safety, security and application ofthedefense codeinFrance, its resources totheactivitiesconcerning IRSN devotes almosteightpercentof Directors. This totheBoard committeereports of with thedefense codeinthenuclear fi responsible for ensuring compliance civiland militaryauthoritiesthe chief that brings together representatives of times ayear by asteering committee Divisionare inspectedseveralExpertise The activitiesoftheNuclearDefense facilities andtransportation. cious actstargeting nuclear materials, ties relating toprotection against mali- – research activi- andstudiestosupport per year, some 1600nuclear materials shipments the competentauthority. IRSNcontrols of theseshipments, andinspectionsfor tion security fi les, operational control – examination ofnuclear transporta- agreements, international nuclear nonproliferation tions for accountancypurposes under French obligations tosubmitdeclara- these materials, andinconnectionwith IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 03 I EFFICIENCY 04 eld. c 9 21/06/11 12:10

ORGANIZATION 02 ORGANIZATION KEY EVENTS

Tong Sang, President of French Polynesia, visited LESE, the IRSN FEBRUARY 2 laboratory for environmental studies and monitoring set up at the The website of the French national network of environmen- local site of IFREMER, the French tal radioactivity measurements (RNM) was set up. This site research institute for exploration (www.mesure-radioactivite.fr) provides the public with access to of the sea, in Vairao, Tahiti. The visit all the environmental radioactivity monitoring data made available was organized in connection with by the various organizations concerned: government departments, plans to develop an observatory for nuclear operators, associations, and so on. monitoring pollutants in Polynesian lagoons, including metals, radioactive substances, hydrocarbons and organochlorine compounds).

MARCH 8

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, announced the creation of ENSTTI, the European Nuclear Safety Training and Tutoring Institute. The President made the announcement during his opening speech at the International Conference on Access expert, Giovanni Bruna, as Chair to Civil Nuclear Energy at the OECD of the Evaluation Committee of in Paris. JANUARY 21-22 Finland’s four-yearly research and development program on nuclear A technical seminar was held in power plant safety. China to discuss problems relating MARCH 16 to the construction of nuclear power plants inland. The seminar was jointly Two IRSN/CNRS joint laboratories organized by IRSN and Huaneng, the FEBRUARY 4 were ofﬁ cially opened, namely C3R future constructor of the AP 1000 for the study of chemical kinetics, plant, under the aegis of the China Marie-Luce Penchard, Minister of combustion, and reactivity with Nuclear Energy Association (or CNEA, Overseas France, Adolphe Colrat, the University of Lille I, and ETIC, the Chinese equivalent of SFEN, the High Commissioner of the Republic for the study of ﬁ res in enclosed French nuclear energy society), and for French Polynesia, and Gaston spaces, with the Universities of Aix- the Nuclear Safety Center (NSC), Marseille I and II. IRSN’s counterpart in China.

MARCH 25 JANUARY 22 Pierre Moscovici, President of PMA, The Finnish Minister of the Economy the Metropolitan Community of and Employment appointed an IRSN Montbéliard, and Jacques Repussard,

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Director General of IRSN, signed a able economic development, and dose assessment following inter- cooperation agreement on radiation IRSN. Under the agreement, the nal contamination or radiological protection. Under the three-year two organizations will collaborate accidents. agreement, a center of expertise in extensively on various aspects of radiation protection will be set up nuclear safety. The fi rst two areas and a radiation protection culture in which the agreement will come developed within PMA. into effect concern public informa- JUNE tion on nuclear reactor safety, and personnel exchange and training. AERES, the French agency for the evaluation of research and higher APRIL 7 education, began its audit of IRSN’s research units. IRSN’s Ethics Commission held its APRIL 16 fi rst meeting. Jean-Denis Combrexelle, Director of Labor Relations, visited IRSN. During JUNE 9 his visit, the Institute’s Director APRIL 9 General presented him with the Denis Flory, IRSN’s former Director of latest developments concerning International Affairs, was appointed A framework agreement on coop- SISERI, the information system for Deputy Director General of the IAEA eration was signed by ENEA, the occupational dosimetry registration, (becoming the fi rst Frenchman ever Italian national agency for new as well as innovative techniques to occupy this position) and Head of technologies, energy and sustain- (calixarenes) aimed at improving the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

JULY 5 JUNE 28 IRSN launched Aktis, its new mul- Claire Cousins, Chair of ICRP, the International Commission on timedia newsletter devoted to all Radiological Protection, paid her ﬁ rst visit to IRSN. During her ﬁ elds of science. Supplements to talks with the Institute’s Director General, the issue of changes update the topics covered in this in the relations between ICRP and leading radiation protection quarterly publication are pub- organizations was raised. lished regularly on the Institute’s website.

JULY 20

ASN and ATMEA, a joint subsid- iary of Areva and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, signed a contract under which ASN and IRSN are to initiate a process to assess safety options on ATMEA1, the new 1,100 MWe reactor.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 11

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ground water around Tricastin. The study was backed by a multidisci- SEPTEMBER 15 plinary monitoring group.

The joint expert group (GEP) on NOV. 7-8 uranium mines in Limousin sub- SEPTEMBER 23 mitted its final report to Jean- The EUROSAFE Forum 2010, Louis Borloo, the French Minister of IRSN received a visit from Tatsuo organized by GRS, the German State and Minister for Sustainable Sato, the new Vice-President of TSO, in collaboration with its Development, and André-Claude JNES, the Japanese TSO. The aim of Belgian (Bel V) and French Lacoste, Chairman of ASN, the the visit was to renew the general (IRSN) counterparts, was held French nuclear safety authority. cooperation agreement between in the German city of Cologne. IRSN was behind the creation of the two organizations and discuss The event focused on inno- the joint expert group. The report methods for developing joint ser- vation in nuclear safety and is the result of three years’ work, vice initiatives in favor of French- security. It was attended by involving ﬁ fteen members of IRSN, Japanese offers on international more than 400 participants aimed at ensuring the long-term markets. from thirty countries. protection of human health and the environment. OCTOBER 25-29

SEPTEMBER 22 The IAEA international conference on challenges faced by nuclear tech- IRSN organized a public meeting nical safety organizations (TSOs) in in Pierrelatte, in southern France, enhancing nuclear safety and security attended by about 140 people, was held. The Tokyo conference was including local residents, elected chaired by IRSN’s Director General representatives and representa- and organized jointly by the IAEA tives of Areva and a number of asso- and the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety ciations. The meeting was held to Organization, the Japanese TSO. present the results of an IRSN study Attended by 220 participants from NOVEMBER 15 aimed at determining the causes for 57 countries, the conference stressed the traces of uranium found in the the need for adequate scientiﬁ c and A delegation from the United States technical resources in support of Nuclear Regulatory Commission nuclear safety and security, and for (US NRC), visited IRSN. The delega- stronger regional and international tion was led by George Apostolakis cooperation among TSOs to meet and William Ostendorff, the two the requirements of countries with new Commissioners appointed by ambitious nuclear power programs. President Obama. The members of the delegation, who had asked to meet with IRSN’s Director General, were shown the Institute’s work on nuclear safety. Talks centered especially on taking advantage of reviews to enhance the safety of SEPTEMBER 21-24 operating reactors.

The “IRSN Dissertation Days” were held in Arles in the south of France, giving IRSN’s doctorate and post- DECEMBER 16 doctorate students an opportunity to present their research in radiation IRSN organized the fi rst session of protection and nuclear safety. The the CAMARI aptitude certifi cate for event opened with a science day, dur- operating industrial radiology equip- ing which key fi gures from outside the ment in Morocco, in partnership organization spoke on the theme of with CNESTEN, Morocco’s national “Research in risk assessment”. center for nuclear energy, science and technology, and AMS-AP, the Moroccan welding and pressure vessel association.

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MAJOR REPORTS PUBLISHED ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION

All IRSN reports and scientiﬁ c and technical publications can be consulted on the Institute’s website on www.irsn.fr

RADIATION PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN HEALTH MONITORING Assessing the health risk relating to X-ray Dosimetric assessments of environmental Study of the causes for the presence of backscatter body scanners management options for the area con- uranium in alluvial ground water around Publication date: February 2010 taminated by carbon-14 around the site Tricastin. Exposure to ionizing radiation relating to of the former Isotopchim laboratory in Publication date: September 2010 medical diagnostic procedures in France Ganagobie. 2009 management report of the national in 2007. Publication date: March 2010 network of environmental radioactivity Publication date: March 2010 Study of the radiological impact of dredg- measurements (RNM) IRSN/ASN. Practical guide for conducting dosimetric ing sediment at Les Minimes port in La Publication date: November 2010 studies at work stations with a risk of expo- Rochelle. Radioactive ﬂ ux conveyed by the River sure to ionizing radiation (Version 2). Publication date: April 2010 Rhône to the Mediterranean Sea in Publication date: April 2010 Tritium in the environment – IRSN sum- 2008. Analysis of diagnostic reference levels in mary report. Publication date: September 2010 radiology and nuclear medicine - 2007- Publication date: July 2010 2009 report on radioactivity monitoring 2008 report. Tritium in the environment – IRSN’s in French Polynesia. Publication date: October 2010 viewpoint on key issues and avenues for Publication date: October 2010 2009 report on occupational exposure to research and development. ionizing radiation. Publication date: July 2010 Publication date: October 2010

Special report published further to the work of the joint expert group (GEP) on uranium mines in Limousin NUCLEAR SAFETY Critical appraisal of information on the ecological impact of mining sites Translation of the report “Enseignements on the Ritord catchment basin and Saint-Pardoux lake. tirés des incidents déclarés entre 2005 et Publication date: September 2010 - signed on June 2, 2006 2008 dans les laboratoires et usines nuclé- Method for assessing the environmental risk associated with the release aires et dans les installations nucléaires en of radioactive substances. Adaptation to the case of mining sites in Haute- démantèlement” (Lessons learned from Vienne. incidents reported between 2005 and Publication date: September 2010 - signed on December 20, 2007 2008 at nuclear laboratories and plants, Contribution to the assessment of the environmental risk associated and at nuclear facilities in the process of with uranium release in the Ritford catchment basin. being dismantled).English translation of Publication date: September 2010 – signed on August 6, 2008 the December 2009 report. Consideration of the impact of chemical speciation in the analysis of the Publication date: May 2010 ecotoxic effects of uranium in fresh water. Production sources and management of Publication date: September 2010 – signed on November 12, 2009 tritium produced by nuclear facilities. Preparing a proposal for an environmental quality standard for uranium Publication date: July 2010 in fresh water. Analytical guide to criticality risks and their Publication date: September 2010 – signed on November 20, 2009 prevention at plants and laboratories. Publication date: December 17, 2010 OTHER IRSN’s viewpoint on safety and radia- IRSN barometer 2010: Risk perception. Annual Report: organization, results and tion protection issues relative to French Publication date: July 2010 outlook. nuclear power plants in 2009. CAMARI aptitude certiﬁ cate for operating Publication date: November 2010 Publication date: January 2011 industrial radiology equipment. 2009 2009 Report on Research Training. Publication date: January 2011

Summaries of the assessment reports submitted to the advisory committees in 2010 can be downloaded from: www.irsn.fr/rubrique Notices and reports

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 13

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RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC AUTHORITIES % 180 in 2008 43.3 187 in 2009 % of IRSN’s budget 47.9 84 technical devoted to research. 182 in 2010 of IRSN’s budget (1) notices to the ASND. (45% in 2009) (93 in 2009) (1) excluding property project and special fund. Number of bilateral agreements devoted to technical signed with research and support and activities assessment organizations. in the general interest. (47% in 2009) technical publications in 386 158 (1) excluding property project notices to the security Journal Citation Reports. and special fund. authority. (402 in 2009) (157 in 2009) 34 countries involved in these agreements. (36 in 2009) 658 technical 25 dissertations defended. notices to the ASN. (28 in 2009) 84 international projects in (646 in 2009) progress. (93 including 22 projects European projects in 2009) 329 scientiﬁ c lectures at conferences. (318 in 2009)

INTELLECTUAL HUMAN RESOURCES PROPERTY 103 in 2008 18 in 2008 125 in 2009 19 in 2009 57 in 2010 21 in 2010 Number of employees recruited on permanent contracts TRAINING hours of training given to patents in force 60,471 63 maintain the skill levels of engineers and experts. abroad. (58 in 2009) participants 2,153 (61 293 en 2009) in IRSN training courses over the year. (3,271 in 2009) Average age 2 software applications and databases placed with the

software protection agency APP. hours of teaching 41.1 42.6 2,406 for women for men (11 in 2009) given outside the Institute (universities, engineering schools, INSTN, etc.). (2,417 in 2009) Proportion of managerial/ Proportion non-managerial staff of men/women

Non- SERVICE CONTRACTS hours of managerial Women: 1,372 staff: 45.4% education given in 140 training 26.5% €M sessions on radiation protection. Managerial Men: 39.2 (2,387 in 2009 – 192 training sessions) % staff: 54.6 revenue. 73.5% (37.7 in 2009) 735 hours of education given in 29 training sessions Distribution of employees on permanent contracts 24,304 on nuclear safety. Paris Region: 1,314 employees customers. (23,063 in 2009) (786 in 2009 – 21 training sessions) Southeast Region: 324 employees

IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 14 21/06/11 12:11 IRSN_RA2010_Partie1_UK_CA2.indd 15 Octeville-Cherbourg LOCATIONS OF KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION (16 in2009) 12 (41 in2009) 41 (1,700,000 in2009) website. visits totheIRSN 1,631,014 committees. at localinformation the IRSNwebsite. reports publishedon Vairao (Tahiti) Agen IRSN operations IRSNoperations noticesand Le Vésinet Saclay as ofdecember31,2010 01 Tournemire (2 in2009) 1 (30 in2009) 25 (234,000 in2009) website. site”) oftheIRSN (formerly the“scientiﬁ “Research” section consulted inthe 204,000 committees. committees. from localinformation IRSN actionreceived

IRSN publication. IRSN publication.

requests for requests for Avignon Les Angles- Fontenay-aux-Roses Orsay sur-Mer La Seyne- c ACTIVITIES I ORGANIZATIONSTRATEGY SUMMARY AND I Cadarache Pierrelatte

02 BUDGET BREAKDOWN 316 Foreign funds Total funding expenditure Operating andinvestment (301 € for equipmentinvestment. expenditure including25€ 313 revenue. (aside from BudgetAct) French funds M including23€ IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 03 (283 € M State 6.59 Areva Areva CEA 2.76 EDF 9.94 from BudgetAct) funds (aside Other French 25.84 Budget Act212grant 1.02 Budget Act189grant 73.14 Operating expenses 89.77 Investment 10.23 Other 21.67 Alliance 5.88 Batelle Energy University 6.77 Stockholm EU 14.13 Riskaudit 45.86 including 20.99%loan Other 77.89 and Nuclear5.69 Stuk Radiation

in 2009) M in2009) €M €M % % % % % 2.82 I EFFICIENCY 04 % % % M % % % % % % % 15 % 21/06/11 12:11

ORGANIZATION 02 ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION CHART

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (as of April 30, 2011) The IRSN Executive Committee is chaired by the Director General and made up of 20 members representing the Institute’s operational and functional divisions. It meets twice monthly to examine matters of strategy, development, operation, and the positions adopted by the Institute on various topics.

> Executive committee - From left to right and from top to bottom: GENERAL MANAGEMENT Didier Demeillers and Marc-Gérard Albert / Alain Cernès / Bruno Dufer and Jacques Repussard / Jean-Bernard Chérié Jacques REPUSSARD, Director General and Marie-Pierre Bigot / Patrick Gourmelon / Daniel Quéniart and Jean-Luc Pasquier / Jérôme Joly / Michel Schwarz / Michel Brière / Michel BRIÈRE, Deputy Director General in charge Patricia de la Morlais / Martial Jorel and Thierry Charles / of defense-related missions Jean-Claude Micaelli / Didier Champion and Matthieu Schuler. Jean-Bernard CHÉRIÉ, Deputy Director General in charge of administrative affairs

Jean-Luc PASQUIER, Deputy Director

Michel SCHWARZ, Scientiﬁ c Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alain CERNÈS, Inspector General

Agnès BUZYN, Chairperson Daniel QUÉNIART, Advisor

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OPERATIONAL DIVISIONS FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS

NUCLEAR DEFENSE EXPERTISE STRATEGY, DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION

Jérôme JOLY, Director Matthieu SCHULER, Director > Safety of defense-related nuclear facilities > General strategy with a strong focus on scientifi c and > Security of nuclear materials, transport and facilities technical content > Enforcement of international inspections > Partnership and contracting policy > Technical support and studies > Relations with supervisory authorities, partners and customers ENVIRONMENT AND RESPONSE > Openness to society Didier CHAMPION, Director > Pr omotion and development of the Institute > Study of radionuclide behavior in ecosystems > Strategic technology watch and exploiting knowledge > Study and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment > Teaching and training in radiation protection and nuclear > Environmental sample processing and metrology safety > Analysis of risks related to the geosphere > Radiation protection response and support INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS > Emergency situations and response organization Marc-Gérard ALBERT, Director > International relations PREVENTION OF MAJOR ACCIDENTS > International business development Jean-Claude MICAELLI, Director > Experimental study and modeling of the behavior of fuel COMMUNICATIONS and its component materials in accident situations Marie-Pierre BIGOT, Director > Experimental study and modeling of fi res > Public relations > Exper imental study and modeling of core meltdown > Websites accidents > Information and media relations > In-house communications RADIATION PROTECTION AND HUMAN HEALTH Patrick GOURMELON, Director > Radiation protection studies and assessments > Radiobiology and epidemiology SUPPORT DIVISIONS > External dosimetry > Internal dosimetry HUMAN RESOURCES Patricia de la MORLAIS, Director REACTOR SAFETY > Social policy Martial JOREL, Director > Human resource management > Pressurized water reactors > Staff administration and pay > Gas-cooled, fast-neutron and experimental reactors > Equipment and structures FINANCIAL, BUSINESS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS > Systems and risks Didier DEMEILLERS, Director > Thermal-hydraulics, reactor core and operation > Budget monitoring of nuclear facilities > Administration of expenditure and revenue > Severe accidents and radiological consequences > Application of tax and customs regulations > Human factors > Cost accounting and management control > Commercial and legal support SAFETY OF PLANTS, LABORATORIES, TRANSPORT AND WASTE SECURITY, ASSETS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS Thierry CHARLES, Director Bruno DUFER, Director and IRSN Security Offi cer > Fuel cycle transport and facilities > Security of assets and sites > Laboratories, irradiators, accelerators and decommissioned > Buildings and logistics reactors > Health, safety, and environmental protection > Radioactive waste > Sustainable development > Industrial risks, fi re and containment > Information systems > Criticality > Air dispersion of pollutants ACCOUNTING OFFICE Stéphane ROCHARD, Accounting Offi cer

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 17

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Composition (as of December 31, 2010) of the Nuclear Division at Alstom Power, nominated by the MISSIONS Minister for Industry. Jean-Marc CAVEDON, Director of Deliberations by the Board of Directors rule on IRSN the Division for Research into Nuclear Energy and Safety activities. More specifi cally, the Board deliberates on at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, nominated general conditions governing the Institute’s organization by the Minister of Research. Agnès BUZYN, Chairperson, and operation, its strategy and program, and its annual Board of Directors, physician and professor of hematology, activity report. It also approves the budget, decisions nominated by the Minister for Health. Claude BIRRAUX, involving changes, year-end fi nancial statements and President of the Parliamentary Offi ce for the Evaluation income appropriation. of Scientifi c and Technological Choice. EIGHT STAFF REPRESENTATIVES Yves BRISSET, CFE-CGC. Nicolas BRISSON, CGT. François TEN GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES DUCAMP, CGT. Thierry FLEURY, CFDT. François JEFFROY, Patrick RENVOISÉ, Nuclear Safety Inspector for DGA, CFDT. Yves LE RESTE, CFE-CGC. Christophe SERRES, the French Armament Procurement Agency, represent- CFDT. Carine STRUP-PERROT, CGT. ing the Minister of Defense. Régine BRÉHIER, Director of Research and Innovation, representing the Minister for EX OFFICIO OR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS the Environment. Jocelyne BOUDOT, Deputy Director Laurent MICHEL, Director General of Risk Prevention of Environmental and Food Risk Prevention at the French and Government Commissioner. Bernard ABATE, Auditor Directorate General for Health, representing the Minister General. Jacques REPUSSARD, Director General. Michel for Health. Thomas BRANCHE, Deputy Director for the BRIÈRE, Deputy Director General in charge of defense- Nuclear Industry, Directorate General for Energy and related missions. Stéphane ROCHARD, Accounting Offi cer. Climate, representing the Minister for Industry. Laurence Philippe BOURACHOT, Works Committee Secretary. PIKETTY, Scientifi c Director of the Energy, Sustainable André-Claude LACOSTE, Chairman of the French Nuclear Development, Chemistry and Process Department of the Safety Authority. Directorate General for Research and Innovation, representing the Minister for Research. Guillaume DEDEREN, Head of the Major Risks Offi ce at the Directorate for Defense and Civil Security, representing the Minister for Civil Security. MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 Jean-Denis COMBREXELLE, Director of Labor Relations, • Defi nition of the basis for discussions on the future 24 representing the Minister for Employment. Mathieu of the Cabri water loop project, members DUFOIX, Head of the Energy, Profi t-sharing, Industry and • Review of IRSN’s organizational structure and Innovation Offi ce at the Budget Directorate, represent- general operating rules, ing the Minister for the Budget. Marcel JURIEN DE LA • Launch of phase 1 of the property restructuring GRAVIÈRE, Representative in charge of Nuclear Safety project for the Fontenay-aux-Roses site. and Radiation Protection for Defense-related Activities and 4 Facilities. Nicolas CHANTRENNE, Head of the Nuclear meetings Safety and Radiation Protection Mission. in 2010 SIX ADVISORY MEMBERS Serge AUBERT, Air Force Major General, nominated by the Minister of Defense. Jean-Claude DELALONDE, Chairman of the National Association of Local Information 5-year Commissions and Committees, nominated by the Minister mandate for the Environment. Patrick LEDERMANN, Vice-President

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STEERING COMMITTEE FOR

THE NUCLEAR DEFENSE EXPERTISE ORGANIZATION DIVISION – CODEND

Composition (as of December 31, 2010)

Director of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament at MISSIONS the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Alain ROCCA, The committee examines the activity program prepared Head of the Economic and Nuclear Infrastructure Security by the Nuclear Defense Expertise Division before it is Department for the Senior Defense and Security Offi cial submitted to the Institute’s Board of Directors. It is of the Ministry of Industry. Laurent DEMOLINS, Brigadier- consulted when the Board of Directors is called upon General, Head of the Department of Defense, Security and 11 to make decisions relating specifically to the Economic Intelligence, representing the Senior Defense members organization or running of this Division and advises the and Security Offi cial at the French Ministry of Ecology, Board of Directors on matters related to division Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. Jean- activities. Baptiste FLEUTOT, Chief Medical Offi cer of the French Armed Forces, advisory member appointed by the Minister of Defense. Serge POULARD, advisory member appointed 2 by the Minister for Industry. meetings Marcel JURIEN de la GRAVIÈRE, Chairman of CODEND, in 2010 Representative in charge of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection for Defense-related Activities and Facilities. Laurent MANDARD, Commander, representative of the MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Patrick RENVOISÉ, Engineer • Review of defense and safety aspects of the General for Armaments, representing the DGA, the French following: 5-year defense procurement agency. Rony LOBJOIT, Colonel, – DEND 2009 Activity Report and IRSN 2009 Annual mandates representing the administrative Secretary General of the Report, for the two Ministry of Defense. Éric CHAPLET, Rear-Admiral, Nuclear – Medium- and Long-term Plan, Weapons Inspector. Mathieu DUFOIX, representing the – DEND activity program for 2011. advisory Budget Director. Sabine SCIORTINO, representing the members

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 19

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SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL

Composition (as of December 31, 2010) Chief Medical Offi cer of the French Armed Forces, Head MISSIONS of the Medical Division of the Armed Forces’ Radiation The Scientifi c Council examines and gives its opinion on Protection Department, nominated by the Minister of IRSN activity programs and ensures that its research Defense. André PINEAU, Professor at the Paris School of programs are scientifi cally relevant and of the highest Mine Engineering, nominated by the Minister for Industry. quality. It examines program results in order to prepare Bernard SEVESTRE, Head of the Radioactive Sources recommendations on Institute strategy. It may be con- Team at the CEA Nuclear Energy Division nominated sulted by the Board’s Chairperson or by the supervisory by the Minister for Research. Patsy-Ann THOMPSON, ministers on any subject that comes under the Institute’s Director of Environmental Assessments and Protection at authority. the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, nominated by the Minister for the Environment. George YADIGAROGLU, Emeritus Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, nominated by the Minister Michel QUINTARD, Scientifi c Council Chairman, CNRS for Industry. Research Director at the Toulouse Institute of Fluid Mechanics, nominated by the Minister for Research. 12 Philippe ACKERER, Deputy Director of the Institute of members Fluid and Solid Mechanics in Strasbourg, nominated by MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 the Minister for the Environment. Jean-Claude ANDRÉ, • The Council’s assessment on “Assessment of risks to Emeritus Research Director, Scientifi c Advisor at the CNRS ecosystems” (November 2010) was completed and Institute for Engineering and Systems Science, nominated by presented, the Minister for Labor. Dietrich AVERBECK, CNRS Emeritus • Assessment of the environmental monitoring 2 Research Director at the Curie Institute, nominated by the strategy in progress, meetings Minister for Health. Bernard BONIN, Deputy Scientifi c • Two new assessments were launched in November in 2010 Director of the CEA Nuclear Energy Division nominated by 2010: the Minister for Research. Yves-Sébastien CORDOLIANI, – critical software, medical practitioner, human radiation protection expert, – epidemiological studies. nominated by the Minister for Health. Denis GAMBINI, medical practitioner, researcher at the Occupational 5-year Health Department at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Paris, mandate nominated by the Minister for Labor. Pierre LAROCHE,

ETHICS COMMISSION

Composition (as of December 31, 2010) Éric VINDIMIAN, Engineer General specializing in agri- MISSIONS cultural engineering, water and forests, Regional Director Included as part of the order organizing the IRSN, the of CEMAGREF (French research institute for agricultural Ethics Commission reports to the Board of Directors and environmental engineering), specialist in the impact and is responsible for advising it on preparing ethical of toxic substances on the environment and health and in charters that are applicable to the Institute’s activities assessing government environmental policies. and for monitoring their application, including conditions at the Institute for distinguishing between assessment missions performed on behalf of government departments and those performed for MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 public or private operators. It also serves as a mediator • April 7, 2010: the Commission held its ﬁ rst meeting. when problems of an ethical nature arise. The Commission acquainted itself with IRSN’s various missions and activities, as well as the rules it follows 4 and the responsibilities it takes on to ensure that they members are carried out effectively. Jean-Pierre DUPUY, Corps des Mines Engineer General, • July 7, 2010: visit to the Fontenay-aux-Roses site. The philosopher, professor at the École Polytechnique and Commission followed the various stages involved in Stanford University, California, and member of the French examining a nuclear operator ﬁ le and discovered how Academy of Technology. a research program is constructed for assessment 1 Jean-Claude AMEISEN, biologist, immunologist, profes- purposes. IRSN’s teams explained these topics in meeting sor of medicine at University of Paris Diderot and Bichat concrete terms. The Commission also visited the in 2010 Hospital, – member of the French National Ethics Advisory Institute’s Biological Dosimetry Laboratory and the Committee, Chairman of INSERM’s Ethics Committee. External Dosimetry Department. Anne BERRIAT, magistrate on the Council of State (Conseil d’Etat), took part in steering national sustainable development strategy (2003) and preparing the report on strength- 4-year ening and structuring environmental policy. mandate

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NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION

PROTECTION RESEARCH POLICY ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE – COR ■

Composition (as of December 31, 2010)

■ ASSOCIATIONS MISSIONS David BOILLEY, President of ACRO. Jacky BONNEMAINS, The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Research President of Robin des bois. Élise CHAMPEAU, President of Policy Committee, or COR, is an advisory body to the MANES, an association that supports victims of industrial IRSN Board of Directors, giving opinions on research ob- diseases and accidents in the nuclear and chemical sectors jectives and priorities in the fi elds of nuclear safety and and their friends and families. Maryse ARDITI, President radiation protection. It adopts a global approach that of France nature environnement. Simon SCHRAUB, takes into consideration the requirements of society and Administrator of the Ligue nationale contre le cancer. the public authorities. It thus complements the activity of IRSN’s Scientifi c Council, which focuses on the quality ■ ADVISORY MEMBERS and relevance of the Institute’s research programs and Jean-Claude DELALONDE, President of ANCCLI. Henri outcomes from a scientifi c perspective. REVOL, President of the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety. Agnès BUZYN, Chairperson, IRSN Board of Directors, ex offi cio Chairperson of the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Research ■ PUBLIC AUTHORITIES Policy Committee. Supervisory ministry representatives: Laurence RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS PIKETTY, Scientifi c Director of the Energy, Sustainable ■ Christophe BEHAR, Development, Chemistry and Process Department of the Director of Nuclear Energy – CEA. Thierry DAMERVAL, Directorate General for Research and Innovation, rep- Deputy Director General for Strategy resenting the Minister for Research. Didier HOUSSIN, – Inserm / Director of Paristech School of Chemistry Farid OUABDESSELAM, Director General of Health, representing the Ministry of (being appointed). President of Health. Claire HUBERT, Head of Research – Directorate Grenoble 1 – Joseph Fourier University, representative of

for Health and Innovation, representing the Ministry of the French Conference of University Presidents (CPU). Cyrille THIEFFRY, Ecology. Pascal QUENTEL, Head of Nuclear Security and Task Offi cer for Radiation Protection Assessment Division – French Armament Procurement and Nuclear Affairs – IN2P3, CNRS representative. Agency, representing the Ministry of Defense. Thomas FOREIGN MEMBERS BRANCHE, Deputy Director for the Nuclear Industry, ■ Jean-Jacques VAN BINNEBEEK, Directorate General for Energy and Climate, representing Director General – AVN – Ted LAZO, the Ministry of Industry. Belgium. NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) – OECD. Representative of the Directorate General for Labor: Christophe BADIE, Head of Environmental Assessments Thierry LAHAYE, in charge of matters relating to the pro- Department – Health protection agency (HPA ) – United George YADIGAROGLU, tection of workers against physical hazards – Directorate Kingdom. Emeritus Professor General for Labor, representing the Ministry of Labor. of Nuclear Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of ASN representative: Jean-Christophe NIEL, Director- Technology. General. ■ EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Catherine CEZARSKY, Atomic Energy High Commissioner. ■ COMPANIES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Laurent MICHEL, Government Commissioner and Philippe GARDERET, Scientifi c Vice-President – Areva. Director General of Risk Prevention at the Ministry of Noël CAMARCAT, Nuclear Research and Development Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea. Officer – Generation and Engineering Branch – EDF. Michel QUINTARD, IRSN Scientifi c Council Chairman, Bruno CAHEN, Director of Risk Control – Andra. Dietrich CNRS Research Director at the Toulouse Institute of Fluid AVERBECK, Curie Institute, SFRP representative. Jean- Mechanics. Jacques REPUSSARD, Director General. Marc COSSET, Head of Radiotherapy at the Curie Institute, SFRO representative.

■ EMPLOYEES IN THE NUCLEAR SECTOR MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 Representatives of national labor unions: Jean-Paul • April 15, 2010: third plenary meeting of the COR, CRESSY, FCE-CFDT. Jean-François DOZOL, FO. Claire focusing on IRSN’s positioning within the French, ÉTINEAU, CFTC. CFE-CGC (being appointed). Alain European, and world research structure. The COR issued VASSAUX, CGT. a notice outlining the main criteria to be considered in assessing the relevance of the Institute’s research work. ■ ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES • September 30, 2010: fourth plenary meeting of 43 OPECST representatives: Claude LETEURTRE, Member of the COR. A working group was set up, led by Claude members Parliament for Calvados. Jean-Claude ÉTIENNE, Senator Leteurtre, Member of Parliament for Calvados. for Marne. • Furthermore, the working group on the effects of Representative of the Local Information Committees low-dose ionizing radiation on human health and the (CLI): Monique SENÉ, Vice-President of ANCCLI. one set up to study the issue of extending the service Representatives of towns with a nuclear facility, pro- life of existing nuclear reactors continued their work 2 posed by the Association of French Mayors: Yves LE with a view to submitting their ﬁ ndings to COR plenary BELLEC, Mayor of Pierrelatte. Bertrand RINGOT, Mayor members in 2011. meetings of Gravelines. in 2010

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 21 During President Sarkozy’s visit to India, IRSN’s Director General, Jacques Repussard, signed a cooperation framework agreement on nuclear safety with Shri Satinder Singh Bajaj, Chairman of AERB, India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. 02

NEW DELHI - INDIA I DECEMBER 6, 2010

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SUMMARY SUMMARY AND STRATEGY PROTECTION CULTURE P. 34

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 23

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PROGRESS AND MAIN ACTIVITIES IN 2010 IRSN can rely on governance principles capable of taking up major challenges between 2010 and 2020

The Institute made signifi cant progress in implementing its strategy in 2010. In particular, it completed preparatory work on the Government/IRSN Contract of Objectives (known as COB 2010-2013). From the strategic viewpoint, the new contract carries on from its predecessor, focusing on the same four main areas and highlighting a number of scientifi c, technical, and social topics relating to safety, security and radiation protection. In this area, the Institute is increasingly concerned with issues relating to aging existing facilities, building Generation III reactors, conducting research into the safety of Generation IV reactors, protecting nuclear facilities against malicious acts, and developing radiation protection in the medical fi eld. IRSN’s ISO 9001 quality certifi cation was also renewed in 2010, following a restructuring phase concerning its operating procedures. As part of this work, tools and bodies relating to governance were set up to consolidate and drive progress in the management of the Institute’s human and fi nancial resources. At a time when the Government continues to express the need for public policies that are both effi cient and economical, it is such operating maturity that enables IRSN to remain in line with national priorities.

IRSN’s strategy is intended to address three issues represent a growing challenge that types of issues. The first area concerns calls for a consolidation throughout Europe changes in the French nuclear sector relat- 90 of the processes of standardization, if not ing to aging nuclear power plants and fuel man.years gradual integration, of concepts and prac- cycle facilities, some of which have been in devoted to tices concerning nuclear safety, security and operation for more than thirty years, and to international high-level radiation protection. IRSN has activities. the use of new technology for equipment (90 in 2009) every intention of driving this consolida- and facilities, such as new I&C systems in tion process. plants. The second area is to do with how society perceives the risks associated with Fostering a nuclear safety the use of nuclear energy, such as major culture in Europe and the rest of accidents, environmental and health haz- the world ards, radioactive release from facilities, In 2010, IRSN developed its action in sev- and long-lived nuclear waste. These issues eral inter-related areas. Chief among them reﬂ ect the public’s growing desire to play was its involvement in assisting in setting an active part in enhancing awareness and up an appropriate doctrine and regulatory risk control. The last concern changes in the framework in countries wishing to acquire nuclear industry around the world. Whether nuclear power capability. With its expertise considered in terms of the technological in this ﬁ eld, the Institute has stepped up its offer in facility design and construction or cooperation with a number of countries, the use of nuclear power capabilities, these such as Italy, and Jordan, which are seeking

IRSN_RA2010_Partie2_UK_CA2.indd 24 15/06/11 14:14 01 02 03 04 ORGANIZATION I SUMMARY AND STRATEGY I ACTIVITIES I EFFICIENCY SUMMARY AND STRATEGY AND SUMMARY STRATEGY

On October 18-20, 2010, more than 200 scientists and low-dose specialists gathered in Paris to attend the second international conference on MELODI, the Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative.

partners to help them acquire the human 167 Nuclear Energy Technology Platform 153 skills required for setting up safety author- (SNETP), IRSN took part in selecting ities and technical support organizations 115 research priorities for 2010 relating to gen- that are capable of fulfi lling all their duties. eration II and III reactors. Under a contract Within this context, the Director General with the European Union, IRSN undertook of IRSN chaired the second IAEA interna- to analyze operating experience feedback tional conference on the nuclear safety from the major nuclear power plants in and security challenges faced by technical 2008 2009 2010 Europe. Alongside its nuclear risk prevention safety organizations (TSOs), held in Tokyo Opportunities activities, the Institute took part in prepar- at the end of October. The conference led for IRSN to ing response and remediation scenarios in participate in to broad consensus on the need for a solid international the event of nuclear and radiological emer- network of technical safety organizations expert groups. gency situations. This activity was carried and for closer cooperation among them. out within the European network NERIS. The Institute, which is recognized as a major In 2010, in a move backed by the European player in the fi eld of nuclear safety and Commission, ETSON, the European Technical security, continued to support international Safety Organisations Network, underwent a organizations in several ways. This included change of legal status to become an inde- helping the IAEA to draft fundamental pendent body. The Institute’s European nuclear security principles and recom- strategy largely contributed to this new mendations, and organizing, on its behalf, structure, which incorporates the differ- an international training session in nuclear ent fi elds of TSO activity, such as research, security culture in November in Paris. assessments and training. At the same time, it increased initiatives This shows how the Institute and its coun- involving expert networks aimed at learn- terparts have succeeded in producing a ing more about nuclear reactor safety, or joint response regarding the three main the health effects of chronic exposure to TSO activities by: i) developing and stan- low-dose ionizing radiation (MELODI). dardizing nuclear safety practices within Representing TSOs on Europe’s Sustainable EUROSAFE; ii) performing interna-

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 25

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tional technical assessments, particularly Stronger governance and more The year 2010 saw a major change in the through Riskaudit, a jointly-owned sub- partnerships for research Institute’s organizational structure when sidiary of IRSN and its German counter- The research carried out by IRSN targets its science and strategy divisions were part GRS; iii) providing practical training nuclear and radiological risk prevention. In this merged into a single functional division, at ENSTTI, the European Nuclear Safety respect, the Institute must acquire and main- called the Strategy, Development and Training and Tutoring Institute, for engi- tain a suffi cient level of scientifi c and technical Partnership Division and set up on January neers whose activities will impact on the expertise to ensure balanced input into techni- 1, 2011. The merger between the two for- safety of nuclear facilities. cal discussions with nuclear operators when mer divisions - one devoted to scientifi c The relevance of this approach is refl ected examining their safety analysis documenta- excellence, the other to guiding strategy – in the interest it has aroused outside the tion. Research at IRSN is also aimed at build- refl ects both the high degree of interaction European Union. For example, safety ing scientifi c knowledge in the area of safety between these two activities and IRSN’s organizations in Japan and Ukraine have and radiation protection and encouraging ability to streamline its organizational expressed their desire to become associate operators to put available technology to the structure to increase effi ciency and make members of ETSON. best possible use in the interest of safety. optimum use of the resources allocated by the Government. One highlight in the year for the Institute’s research activities was the audit by AERES, the French agency for the evaluation of research and higher education (see box on p. 30). As well as undergoing this audit and rein- forcing its organizational structure, IRSN took various initiatives in favor of its research activities, starting with increased partnership activity both in France and abroad. This reflects its ability to work IN THE WORDS OF… hand in hand with other research organi- Dominique Ristori, Director General of the European zations and its ambition to play a part in the Commission’s Joint Research Centre country’s national research and innovation strategy (SNRI) and the national research which are more in line with policy. Within this context, IRSN became a the variety and growth of its member of two “national alliances”, namely European activities. ANCRE, devoted to energy research coor- I particularly welcome the fact dination, and AVIESAN, for life and health that the network has reached sciences, and set up two joint laboratories this important milestone in with CNRS. its development. I’m now The Institute’s research policy committee counting on it to devote its fi nalized initiatives to involve stakehold- energy to working with the ers in its activities through working groups regulators on continuing efforts on the health effects of chronic exposure to standardize nuclear safety to low-dose ionizing radiation, and the practices. This entails defi ning Institute’s research programs devoted to “The European Commission Generation III and IV reactors, issues relating to the extension of the ser- has followed with great helping to guarantee the vice life of nuclear power plants, in response interest the development uniform application of European to requests from electric utilities. of ETSON ever since the directives on nuclear safety Outside France, IRSN took part in setting Institute was founded in and waste management, and up STAR, a European network of excellence 2006. The TSO network is promoting knowledge sharing in the fi eld of radioecology, and contin- known throughout the world in these fi elds among European ued its work in networks such as DoReMi for its valuable contribution countries.” (research into low-dose ionizing radiation) to nuclear safety and security, and SARNET (major accidents). based on its assessment Modeling and experimentation activi- activities, research programs, ties were also stepped up, thanks to the and work on standardizing Institute’s continued investment in facilities nuclear safety practices. IRSN’s like the Tournemire experimental station or role as a driving force behind AMANDE, an accelerator designed to pro- this process was demonstrated duce single-energy neutrons. when its Director General was As part of its effort to maintain an out- appointed Chairman of the TSO standing degree of scientific excellence network. and thus guarantee a high profi le for its In 2010, ETSON registered its research activities, IRSN continued to open new articles of association, its doors to a signifi cant number of doctor-

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ate and post-doctorate students in 2010, % a multimedia newsletter devoted to sci- following a project selection process. As at ence. Aktis is available in electronic format November 1, 108 of them were carrying out 12 to reach the widest possible readership. research at the Institute. Of all the doctor- share of research program funding ate students present at IRSN in 2010, 67% from external Enhancing the technical beneﬁ ted from joint funding, a clear sign of revenue. and economic control increased partnership activities with other (11% in 2009) of assessment activities SUMMARY AND STRATEGY AND SUMMARY STRATEGY research organizations (CNRS, universities, IRSN’s assessment strategy is designed to industry, regional authorities, etc.). The ensure that it fully considers the wide range Institute drew up a charter to improve inte- of requirements encountered from one gration of doctorate students and supervise organization to another, and that it com- their activities more effectively. plies strictly with the ethical principles that Lastly, two French patents resulting from guarantee its independence as a support IRSN research were published in 2010. The organization for the safety authorities and ﬁ rst protects a pharmaceutical formula- other public bodies. tion for emergency treatment of acciden- Recent years have seen a rise in the pub- tal contamination of the skin by actinides. lic authorities’ need for technical support The second describes a process for making from IRSN, largely induced by the need to leaktight cable penetrations in vacuum or continue activity at existing nuclear power pressurized reactor pressure vessels. In addi- plants while new projects are in progress. tion, the year 2010 saw the arrival of Aktis, This situation has led the Institute

IRSN steps up its participation in various networks of excellence, in particular those concerning low-dose ionizing radiation.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 27

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Operational external Passive external dosimetry Whole body dosimetry Radiotoxicology counting

Supplier Radiol. Protect. Special. Laboratories Airlines

Frequency Once a week Once a month Once a month

Secure Internet access

SISERI DATABASE

Secure Internet access

Access on request

Radiological Occupational protection physicians specialists

Workers Work and radiation protection Inspectors

Organization and operation of SISERI, the information system for occupational dosimetry registration.

and its supervisory ministries to study fund- that keeps pace with assessment requests ing mechanisms that will enable IRSN to received from operators. match its resources to these growing needs. A process is underway to contractualize Within the context of these studies, the relations between IRSN and government Government has decided to allocate an bodies and the authorities in order to obtain annual contribution to IRSN to fund some a deﬁ nition of priority topics for examina- of its activities in support of ASN, the tion and the related operating procedures. French nuclear safety authority. In 2010, IRSN concentrated particularly on The contribution, approved in an amend- optimizing the human, material, and bud- ment to the Finance Act for 2010 (passed get resources devoted to its assessment on December 29) is part of the current activities. nuclear and radiological risk prevention and As part of the above process, it signed a management mechanism. It will replace framework document with ASN aimed at part of the grant allocated to IRSN and deﬁ ning the working principles for IRSN should provide the Institute with funding assessments carried out within the context

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of its support for ASN. The document shows % (1) of an industrial facility in Saint-Maur-des- how both parties share the same vision of Fossés, near Paris, at the end of the year. The their relations and is built on a common 47.9 Institute helped the authorities to deal with baseline of work carried out and the related Share of IRSN budget the event by providing them with expertise allocated to technical support procedures in an effort to streamline the and emergency response and measurement and public service missions. assessment request and examination pro- (47% in 2009) resources, clearly demonstrating the effec- cess. At the same time, IRSN continued to (1) Excluding property restructuring tiveness of its capability in this area.

project and special fund. AND SUMMARY STRATEGY sign or renew conventions and partnership agreements with most of the public orga- Involving the population nizations coming within the scope of its in radiological and nuclear risk support activities. assessment and control It is also involved in efforts to ensure that Two areas in which the Institute makes a public agencies implementing general gov- vital contribution to progress in nuclear ernment policies adopt mutually consistent safety and radiation protection are pro- strategies. moting transparency with regard to its With this in mind, the Institute increased its research and assessment activities participation in national plans and health networks set up by the public authorities. Examples of national plans include the French national health and environment plan 2009-2013 (PNSE2), the occupational health plan (PST) 2010-2014, and the cancer plan 2009-2013. Examples of health networks include CASA, the health agency networking committee, IN THE WORDS OF… and the R3I network managed by ANSES, Jean-François Monteils, Secretary General and Senior the French agency for food, environmental Defense and Security Offi cial, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and occupational health and safety. Transport and Housing Under the occupational health plan, IRSN was tasked with optimizing SISERI, the infor- the exercises also improves the mation system for occupational dosimetry security of facilities and registration for the purpose of conducting shipments. epidemiological surveys of targeted groups Following the Washington of workers. This is in line with government Summit in April 2010, France objectives concerning occupational health asked the IAEA to audit its management. security system and some of its IRSN is also working on a study devoted facilities at the end of 2011. I to the risk of radiation-induced cancer in know that I can count on IRSN’s individuals who were exposed to a scanner international experience, during their childhood. This epidemiologi- technical expertise and unfailing cal work comes under the cancer plan. The commitment.” Institute is also involved in several scien- “With its nuclear material tifi c and technical projects identifi ed in the experts and longstanding PNSE2 plan, through its work to protect experience, IRSN plays a vital human health and the environment against role in the French nuclear ionizing radiation. This work targets in par- security system. It provides the ticular environmental radioactivity, occupa- Senior Defense and Security tional radiation protection, the quality of Offi cial with technical support air indoors, and radon exposure. to help him carry out his duties In 2010, IRSN was closely involved in help- in this area. The quality of ing ASN to prepare documentation relating work performed by DEND, to safety and human health and environ- particularly its managers and mental protection requirements applicable personnel in charge of material to basic nuclear installations. inspection, enable the Senior These activities included work on the draft Defense and Security Offi cial order on basic nuclear installations, and ASN to obtain an excellent draft decisions on the operating conditions understanding of various of these installations, safety reviews, and the situations and the decisions content of the general operating rules. which have to be taken. IRSN must respond to accidents and inci- Moreover the commitment dents such as the tritium contamination of their management to

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 29

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and keeping the public informed. Efforts in recommendations from Georges Mercadal these areas respond to the growing con- (former Vice-Chairman of the French cern of the public and their elected repre- National Commission on Public Debate) sentatives to become actively involved in and from the monitoring committee that keeping a watchful eye on and controlling was set up to help implement test cases risks relating to technology. With the new recommended at the end of a previous mis- responsibilities of local information com- sion to promote initiatives to open up the mittees, defi ned under the Nuclear Security Institute’s research and assessment work. and Transparency Act (TSN), this is now a One of the main purposes of the tests was right. Working with social stakeholders to to prepare the ground for technical discus- develop a shared understanding of complex sions on nuclear safety documentation with issues relating to radiological and nuclear local information committees (CLIs) and risk control is central to the commitments ANCCLI, two key partners in the Institute’s made by the Institute in its Contract of initiatives to open up to society. Within this Objectives for 2010-2013 and in its Charter context, a joint working group was set up on Openness to Society, which was pre- in 2009 and 2010 to keep track of progress sented to the public in April 2009. IRSN’s in the third ten-year inspection (VD3) pro- commitments in this area are: a) ensuring gram concerning EDF’s 900 MWe nuclear the transparency of its research and results; reactors. b) sharing its knowledge with professionals This led to an IRSN-ANCCLI seminar on and the public and helping to keep them November 9, focusing on CLI involvement informed; and c) supporting efforts to build in these activities. The seminar gave IRSN stakeholders’ skills and promote participa- an opportunity to set out the key safety tive action. issues highlighted in its VD3 report, and 197 In 2010, IRSN made an initial assessment allowed the local information committees students taking part of progress regarding both these external to express their concerns in a number of in Rencontres commitments and internal commitments areas, including incident monitoring and lycéennes de aimed at promoting dialog between the their experience regarding independent radioprotection Institute and its staff and social stakehold- assessments. (radiation ers (see box). Another highlight of the year was the public protection workshops Several initiatives to open up the Institute’s meeting that IRSN organized in Pierrelatte in schools). activities were completed in 2010. In some in southern France on September 22, 2010 (130 in 2009) cases, this was achieved with the help of in cooperation with the local authorities of the area. During the meeting, which was attended by 140 people, IRSN presented the results of a study to account for the presence of uranium in the ground water around Tricastin, carried out with the support of a multidisciplinary monitoring group. As recommended by Georges Mercadal, RESEARCH IRSN also set up a “citizens’ workshop” on First AERES audit radon risk prevention in homes. In their recommendations, the citizens put forward a As a fully-fl edged research institute, IRSN was evaluated strategy of action combining information by AERES in 2010. Prior to the evaluation, the Institute embarked and support activities. They also considered on a structured self-evaluation initiative, focusing on the outcomes that although Government supervision was of the Government/IRSN Contract of Objectives for 2006-2009 required, there was no need for immediate and the contract objectives being discussed for the period regulation as a number of simple actions 2010-2013. could be implemented to reduce the health The AERES evaluation was carried out in two stages. impact of radon. Furthermore, they stressed The fi rst, in the middle of the year, concentrated on IRSN’s the importance of setting up local and research units, while the second, in the second half of the year, regional relay organizations and insisted on covered the Institute as a whole. the key role played by doctors and housing professionals. The AERES audit focuses on the quality of IRSN’s scientifi c On September 15, 2010 another important results and other criteria, such as active involvement in national milestone was reached when the multidis- and international networks and programs, partnerships with ciplinary expert group on mines in Limousin other research organizations and institutes of higher education, submitted its fi nal report to the Minister for openness to social concerns, applied research and assessment Ecology and the Chairman of ASN. activities. The fi ndings of the audit will be published in 2011. From the international perspective, IRSN’s

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The ANCCLI-IRSN seminar on the third ten-yearly inspections was held in Paris on November 9, 2010.

initiative to open up to society was largely OPENNESS TO SOCIETY devoted to European and French efforts concerning concrete applications of the First report on the application of the Aarhus Convention to the nuclear field. IRSN Charter on Openness to Society The Convention, signed by 39 nations on June 25, 1998 lays down rights concerning access to information, public participation In keeping with its undertaking, IRSN took stock of progress made in decision-making, and access to justice and the difﬁ culties encountered, a year after the charter came into in environmental matters. In 2010, the effect. Institute was involved in discussions coordinated by the French high committee for Regarding the transparency of its activities, the Institute put online transparency and information on nuclear summaries of reports submitted to advisory committees working with ASN, safety and ANCCLI, with the support of together with occasional and regular reports (on occupational exposure the Minister for Ecology. to ionizing radiation, exposure relating to medical diagnoses in France, etc.) In October 2010, the Institute took part and a series of explanatory sheets on different topics such as radon in a seminar, called Corex, to discuss and and uranium. One point to be highlighted regarding knowledge-sharing consolidate operating feedback from an initiatives was the third school “workshop” session devoted to radiation international program called CORE, which is protection culture. The Charter on Openness to Society provided for new devoted to the rehabilitation of the regions initiatives in the medical ﬁ eld as part of the effort to build skills among in Belarus contaminated by fallout from the social stakeholders and develop participative actions. For example, Chernobyl accident. a working group was set up to focus on the issue of patient information on radiation protection relating to radiodiagnosis.

The commitments set out in the Charter also inspired an initiative concerning post-accident situations, which is aimed at working with ANCCLI to design a mapping tool, known as OPAL, to heighten local stakeholders’ awareness of the consequences of a nuclear accident.

As part of the implementation of the Charter inhouse, a seminar was organized to make the personnel more aware of efforts underway to open the Institute up to society. IRSN will continue to report periodically on progress made regarding the commitments set out in the Charter.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 31

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TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY Enhancing nuclear safety is also a matter of information and communication

IRSN, which has now acquired an institutional signature, continued to build up its website in 2010 and launched a new multimedia newsletter for scientiﬁ c information.

1,250 1,000 (1) 800

2008 2009 2010 Number of mentions in the press. (1) Includes numerous references to the Socatri incident during the summer of 2008. Aktis, presents the Institute’s research results.

In 2010, to symbolize its determination Aktis, a new multimedia to fully assume its role as the public publication for scientifi c service expert in nuclear and radiologi- information cal risk assessment for all concerned, In keeping with this knowledge-sharing IRSN adopted a corporate signature, initiative, IRSN decided to do more to put Enhancing Nuclear Safety (and in French, the spotlight on its research and the results Faire avancer la sûreté nucléaire) that will obtained. To this end, it launched Aktis, a appear on its information and communica- new quarterly multimedia newsletter, at tion media. It embodies the commitment the end of July, in replacement of its annual of all the Institute’s staff – researchers, scientifi c and technical report. Intended experts, engineers, and technicians – to for scientists in every fi eld, Aktis is chiefl y put all the available knowledge and skills distributed in digital format by email or via to the best possible use. an RSS feed to make sure that informa-

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tion reaches new readers. Future readers Repères: recognition in the can subscribe directly via the Institute’s world of professional journals website, free of charge, and consult back In 2010, IRSN conducted a readership sur- issues as well. vey of Repères, its quarterly magazine, in preparation for a change of format in 2011. IRSN’s website at www.irsn.fr Readers considered the publication to be goes from strength to strength informative, educational and helpful for SUMMARY AND STRATEGY AND SUMMARY STRATEGY In 2010, the Institute continued to develop understanding complex or sensitive issues. In 2010, the Gafforisk exhibition its transparency policy, with ever more They appreciated the balance of infor- was held in several towns in the Paris nuclear safety and radiation protection mation covering subjects such as nuclear region, as part of the Fête de la Science information being made available via its safety and radiation protection and human in Palaiseau and in Leuville to the south of Paris, during the emergency response website. health, and the environment. drill in Saclay, and training courses, Professionals and general public alike were in particular for teachers working thus able to consult some 65 news items Exhibitions: information for the Versailles regional education and press releases, 25 special reports and and dialog close to home authority. feature articles, 22 expertize reports and 19 In 2010, the Institute continued three trav- notices to the authorities and summaries eling exhibitions organized on different of reports submitted to the ASN advisory models and targeting different audiences. Institute contributes, entitled Did you say committees. Organized in collaboration with IFFO- radiation protection? visited the Swiss city As part of its ambition to publicize the RME the French institute for training in of Lausanne and Helsinki in Finland. results of its research to an increasingly major risks and environmental protection, Lastly, the exhibition Nuclear Power and large audience, the Institute made a par- Gafforisk seeks to step up the work carried Society, jointly organized by IRSN and ASN, ticular effort to propose educational con- out by the French Ministry of Education with went to the cities of Cherbourg, Epinal and tent on subjects relating to its technical young people, and to support local authori- Saint Etienne. However, in view of a signiﬁ - assessment activities. ties in their public information initiatives, in cant drop in the number of visitors in 2010, Examples of such subjects included the particular in areas around nuclear facilities. the two organizations decided to work on third round of ten-year inspections of 900 Another traveling exhibition, to which the a new concept. MWe PWR plants, the EPR, PWR steam generators, and the loss of cooling water incident on a reactor at the Cruas nuclear power plant in southern France in 2009. IRSN also responded to requests for information from civil society and the press, often concerning topical news items, by providing informative reports on nuclear MORE ABOUT non proliferation and security, the Haiti earthquake, X-ray backscatter body scan- IRSN Barometer 2010: trust in the nuclear ners, effects in France of forest fires in sector takes a downturn, but IRSN’s Russia, and the tritium contamination incident in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés near Paris. credibility goes on climbing

Press relations: Every year since 1988, the IRSN Barometer has analyzed growing media coverage the fi ndings of a survey on how risks and safety are perceived In response to the steadily growing demand by the French public, with particular regard to exposure to nuclear from the media, IRSN issues news releases and radiological risks. and press kits and organizes meetings with Although the results of the 2009 survey, put online in 2010, indicate its experts and press trips. that the nuclear risk is not among the chief concerns of the French The 2010 trip organized around the theme public, the relatively positive image enjoyed by nuclear facilities of nuclear waste disposal management in for many years, as far as reliability and safety are concerned, was northern Europe took journalists to Sweden, undermined by the series of incidents that occurred during the summer Belgium and Finland, where they were also of 2008 on the Tricastin site. able to visit the EPR construction site in Another point to be noted is that nuclear waste topped the list of most Olkiluoto. frequently mentioned arguments used against nuclear energy, ahead Two events drew particular media interest of the Chernobyl accident. in 2010, namely the forest fi res in Russia, for which IRSN was mentioned in the The fi ndings of the IRSN Barometer 2010 also refl ected press nearly 300 times, and tritium con- the Institute’s increasing efforts in favor of transparency, education tamination of a residential area in Saint- and sharing its expertise. While the survey showed that associations Maur-des-Fossés near Paris at the end of are still considered as the most reliable sources of information, the year, which resulted in some 150 press the technical expertise of nuclear organizations – and IRSN for 86 % mentions. of respondents – is gaining in recognition.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 33

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PROMOTING A SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION CULTURE Education and Training: a changing landscape

With respect to safety and radiation protection culture, 2010 was marked both by a cyclic downturn in IRSN’s regulatory activities, and the arrival of new offers.

IRSN regularly organizes training sessions for radiation protection specialists.

On-site training for future training needs for staff working in nuclear nuclear safety offi cers safety and security research and assess- The year 2010 was marked by the fi rst ses- ment by supplementing training for new sion in English organized by the European safety engineers with presentations and Nuclear Safety Training and Tutoring practical group work and technical inspec- Institute (ENSTTI), set up in December tions supervised by experts in the areas 2009 when a memorandum of understand- concerned. 2,153 ing was signed between IRSN and three The fi rst ENSTTI session – which took place persons benefi ted from IRSN of its partners in the European Technical in July and September, fi rst in Germany training programs (including 1,774 in the radiation Safety Organizations Network (ETSON): and then in France – involved 37 partici- protection fi eld). GRS (Germany), LEI (Lithuania) and UJV pants from 14 countries, who considered (3,271 in 2009) (Czech Republic). ENSTTI aims to meet that they had acquired knowledge in all

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the technical fi elds required by a future sional journals, and increased participation in France for anyone wishing to practice nuclear safety expert. In addition, thanks in trade shows and exhibitions to promote industrial radiology, which is used in par- to instructor involvement in safety at exist- its training offers more widely. Discussions ticular for nondestructive testing. It dem- ing facilities, participants from “newcomer” are currently underway regarding web- onstrates that its holder is competent in countries to civil nuclear power were able based training (e-learning). radiation protection, to ensure his or her to acquire concrete, realistic notions of own safety and that of others during the nuclear safety. Progress in CAMARI-related radiology operations performed. In 2010, SUMMARY AND STRATEGY AND SUMMARY STRATEGY With regard to IRSN nuclear safety train- activities IRSN saw a rise in the number of candidates ing, the induction course for safety engi- The aptitude certifi cate for operating indus- for CAMARI certifi cation, due to the devel- neers (SAIS) catered for new categories of trial radiology equipment (CAMARI), which opment of the “industrial particle accelera- external participants in 2010, in particular IRSN has issued on behalf of the French tor” option, (see box). from CNES, the French government space authorities since 2008, is compulsory agency, following the implementation of a statutory safety framework for the aerospace sector.

Adapting regulatory training in radiation protection Some IRSN training courses in this area meet the requirements of statutory obligations; others are delivered in response to requests made by other bodies or companies. In 2010, the Institute observed a signifi cant reduction in its statutory training activi- MORE ABOUT ties, although a large number were still per- IRSN provides Morocco formed. This drop is explained by the fact that most of the people concerned were with training support trained in previous years, especially in the fi eld of radiation protection for patients 664 during medical imaging or radiotherapy. It candidates for also refl ects budgetary constraints, which Camari training. have affected many bodies and companies, (584 in 2009) leading to a reduction in the demand for training. Other types of training have begun to develop, such as training for radiation protection specialists, which must be renewed every fi ve years and for which the start of a new cycle in 2010 should be followed 341 Camari cards by a rise in demand in 2011. The same is issued (1). true of training in radon metrology in the (140 in 2009) workplace, following decisions taken by (1) Including 90 cards issued to national defense ASN in 2009 with regard to accreditation candidates who have passed in this fi eld. the armed forces radiation protection service (SPRA) exam. Meeting the requirements of new categories of professionals Also in 2010, IRSN completely revised the materials used in its radiation protection for patients course and started to develop new radiation protection training modules, Following the signing, in spring 2010, of a contract in particular for occupational health and with the Moroccan association for welding and operating theater staff, as well as medical pressure equipment (AMS-AP) for CAMARI certifi cate equipment manufacturers and fi tters. testing in Morocco, IRSN organized the fi rst sessions In the fi eld of nuclear security, the Institute in Rabat in mid-December, assisted by CNESTEN, has produced a new offer for companies the Moroccan institute for research and training in involved in monitoring and controlling nuclear applications. AMS-AP’s request was followed a nuclear materials – such as plant operators decision by the Moroccan radiation protection authority and engineering design consultants. It has to require industrial radiology companies in Morocco to used mailouts, advertisements in profes- have at least one holder of French CAMARI certifi cation.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 35

IRSN_RA2010_Partie2_UK_CA2.indd 35 15/06/11 14:14 IRSN received a visit from delegation IBRAE, the Russian institute to celebrate twenty years of cooperation between of nuclear energy safety, Director General, the two institutes. The delegation was led by IBRAE’s Leonid Bolshov. 03

TOURNEMIRE, SOUTH-CENTRAL FRANCE I SEPTEMBER 15-17

IRSN_RA2010_Partie3_p36-59_UK2.indd 36 21/06/11 12:14 SAFETY ...... P. 38 SAFETY OF EXISTING FACILITIES ...... P. 38 CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS ON FUTURE FACILITIES ...... P. 57

SECURITY – NON-PROLIFERATION ...... P. 60 RADIATION PROTECTION – ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH ...... P. 66 ENVIRONMENTAL AND POPULATION EXPOSURE ...... P. 66

EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE ...... P. 78

EMERGENCY AND ......

ACTIVITIES POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS P. 82

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 37

IRSN_RA2010_Partie3_p36-59_UK2.indd 37 21/06/11 12:14 03 ACTIVITIES

SAFETY An institute rising to all the challenges of nuclear safety

IRSN’s contribution to the safety of existing and future nuclear facilities as well as to the safety of nuclear material transportation and storage covers a wide range of activities: examining the fi les submitted by operators, supporting inspection teams, contributing to the process of updating national and international regulations, and research. In these fi elds, 2010 was notably marked by the preparation for the safety review of EDF’s twenty 1300 MWe reactors, the completion of large-scale modeling and experiment programs regarding the prevention of criticality accidents and fi res, and the management of the consequences of major accidents liable to lead to reactor vessel failure and radioactive iodine releases. These programs were generally performed in the context of international cooperation. IRSN also performed an in-depth examination of planned nuclear fuel cycle operation in France over the period 2007-2017.

SAFETY OF EXISTING leaktightness of the tubes, while EDF con- FACILITIES sidered that the reactor was fi t for restart and that the operating rules in force were suitable for the in-service monitoring of Monitoring reactors tube leaktightness. As part of its support work for the French On the basis of IRSN’s assessment and fol- nuclear safety authority, IRSN assesses the lowing consultation with the advisory com- safety of nuclear reactors, whether in oper- mittee for nuclear pressure equipment, ASN ation or under construction. requested that a hydrotest be performed prior to any restart. EDF eventually opted Preventing the risk of steam to replace the steam generators at Bugey 3 generator tube rupture earlier than initially planned. In 2010, IRSN approved the solutions www.irsn.fr adopted by EDF to prevent the steam generator tube rupture following the discov- Nuclear reactor operation under ery, in 2009, of circumferential cracks on abnormal conditions several tubes during a periodic inspection On the night of December 1 to 2, 2009, the carried out on the Bugey 3 reactor. intake of the cooling water pumping station Such defects are carefully monitored of reactors 3 and 4 at the Cruas nuclear because they could lead to a sudden tube power plant on the River Rhône in southern rupture and radioactive release to the France was obstructed by vegetal debris. atmosphere. A “loss of cooling water” event was then Following this discovery, EDF implemented declared. In addition to providing emer- an exhaustive inspection program and for gency response, which was hindered by the fi rst time carried out inspections using a inadequate operating procedures, EDF more effi cient probe. The tubes showing the quickly drew up an action plan and cor- greatest deterioration were condemned by rected the procedures in question. In 2010, plugging and removed from service. IRSN analyzed the corrective action fi le The Institute drew the operator’s attention submitted by EDF. The Institute concluded to the fact that tube corrosion affected the that the modifi cations proposed by EDF

IRSN_RA2010_Partie3_p36-59_UK2.indd 38 21/06/11 12:14 01 02 03 04 ORGANIZATION I SUMMARY AND STRATEGY I ACTIVITIES I EFFICIENCY

were acceptable, but raised a number of ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

issues to be addressed as part of the normal examination of changes to incident and accident operating procedures at nuclear power plants. www.irsn.fr

Preparing for the third ten-yearly inspections for 1300 MWe pressurized water reactors In 2010, IRSN assessed the approach, scope and objectives of the generic studies proposed by EDF for the 1300 MWe PWR safety review associated with the third ten-yearly inspections. In compliance with the French transparency and nuclear security act (TSN), reac- IRSN analyzed the loss of cooling water incident that occurred at the Cruas NPP. tor safety is reviewed in France every ten years. The objective is to analyze the state of the reactors and also to reassess their program, including a design review of the safety taking into account the improve- computerized integrated protection sys- ments in knowledge and the most recent tem, a risk analysis regarding the handling achievements. of fuel transport packaging, and a study of Prior to the safety review for each reac- the possible consequences of a tornado tor, EDF must propose the generic studies on reactor safety. Plant effl uent treatment 12 that it plans to carry out to prepare the facilities will also undergo a safety review reports new safety reference system and deter- during the third ten-yearly outages. prepared for meetings of mine the modifi cations that it intends to www.irsn.fr advisory groups implement on all reactors of the same type. or expert In preparation for the safety review of its First version of the level 2 PSA committees. twenty 1300 MWe reactors, EDF defi ned for 1300 MWe reactors (15 in 2009) about twenty themes, in particular regard- In 2010, IRSN completed the fi rst version ing probabilistic safety analyses, climate- of its level 2 probabilistic safety analysis for related hazards and severe accidents. In this 1300 MWe reactors (PSA2 1300). respect, the Institute suggested a broader The study was started in 2007 in

Reactor building Radioactive release to the environment Containment spray Loss of containment integrity Direct containment heating Venting-filtration Bypass Steam through generator ruptures Auxiliary building Hydrogen combustion Containment Vessel Core leaks via penetrations meltdown Stack Ejection of corium In-vessel or into the containment Vessel ex-vessel rupture steam explosion Corium Building ventilation-filtration deposition Evacuation Sump systems of energy in the reactor pit from the containment Corium-concrete interaction

Physical phenomena that may be observed during a severe accident.

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IRSN’s engineers use SOFIA to simulate the operation of reactors in service in France.

preparation for the third ten-yearly inspec- reactors. This modeling platform integrates SOFIA was fi rst used in 2010 to meet the tions of these reactors. Level 2 PSAs identify, the CATHARE thermal-hydraulic software, training requirements of IRSN engineers as exhaustively as possible, core meltdown which is the reference application in France. in supporting assessment of safety fi les, accidents that would lead to radioactive The SOFIA simulator, developed in collabo- to prepare emergency response drills and release and, for each, quantify its probabil- ration with Areva and Canadian simulator to analyze incidents at nuclear facilities. In ity of occurrence and the predicted amount designer L3-Mapps, can simulate an exten- this respect, it was used by the Institute of radioactivity liable to be released. sive range of operating conditions, from to simulate the loss of cooling water inci- Furthermore, the level 2 PSAs developed by shutdown to at-power states. Its mod- dent that occurred at the Cruas plant in IRSN provide an estimate of the radiological ern, modular IT architecture can integrate December 2009. consequences associated with the different modifi cations to the reactors in the French The simulation helped to get a more com- scenarios. They use modeling software and nuclear fl eet, thus ensuring that confi gura- prehensive understanding of the transient methods developed by IRSN and draw on tions representing the current state of the and to assess the robustness of the coun- input from R&D in the fi eld of core melt- facilities are available at all times. termeasures adopted by EDF. down accidents. They allow contributors to risks of radioactive release and possible routes for improving facilities to be identifi ed and prioritized. They thus contribute, alongside deterministic studies, to the assessment of reactor safety. The IRSN’s PSA2 1300 study will make it possible to effectively judge similar studies performed by the operator in the safety review associated with the ten-yearly inspections concerning these reactors.

SOFIA: a new simulator to support safety studies Since November 2010, IRSN has been able to use SOFIA, a simulator of incidental and emergency operation to provide a representative model of 900, 1300 and 1450 MWe The Flamanville 3 EPR construction site.

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EPR tion protection staff working in the facilities ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

In 2010, IRSN continued to assess the or carrying out cross-disciplinary or over- detailed design of the EPR. The main issues sight functions at civil research centers. addressed during the year included: The assessment was presented to the rel- The Instrumentation & Control (I&C) evant advisory committees in November system: IRSN considered that EDF had 2010. Based on IRSN’s report, the advi- yet to fully demonstrate compliance with sory groups concluded that improvements the initial speciﬁ cations of the automated had been made in management action safety system used for reactor control fol- regarding safety and radiation protection lowing the initial phases of an accident, since 1999, when these points were last although the information supplied so far examined, leading to a generally satisfac- was considered satisfactory. The Institute tory situation today. They, however, did then recommended that additional provi- make some recommendations, regarding sions be implemented to strengthen the changes occurring to CEA’s organizational robustness of the EPR I&C system; structure, capitalization of results from The safety systems: detailed exami- human factor and organizational studies, nation of these systems serves to assess and closer control of subcontracting and design in light of the safety objectives to safety and radiation protection in day-tobe met. The year 2010 was spent analyz- day activities. Implementation of these rec- ing systems involved in the containment ommendations by CEA should improve the function and carrying out an initial exami- performance of its management system in nation of the main safety systems (such as terms of safety and radiation protection safeguard systems, electrical systems and and increase its commitment to con- cooling water); The accident study methodology: some EPR accident studies are performed by EDF using new methods. In 2010, considerable effort was made to assess these methods and ASN gave an initial opinion on four of MORE ABOUT the ﬁ ve new methods. At the same time, HEMERA: improved analysis IRSN provided ASN inspectors with technical support on the EPR construction site at of accident phenomena Flamanville in Normandy and on equipment Isolation suppliers’ sites. In particular, IRSN civil engi- valve Steam IRSN has acquired the 3D HEMERA header neering and mechanical assembly experts Break coupled high-performance helped to prepare and conduct inspections computer code package, which and analyze the anomalies detected, such is now operational. The package is as the high percentage of welding defects designed to study nuclear reactor in the inner containment wall liner in the control rod ejection or steam line reactor building or deformation in pre- break accidents, during which Protected stressing tendon sheaths. Finally, on the section neutronics, thermal-hydraulic and international scene, IRSN has been using system effects interact. 3D HEMERA

its knowledge of EPR reactor safety to help Contain- was put to good use in 2010 to assess ment the safety authorities of countries that are Affected the fully coupled 3D model (MTC 3D) SG contemplating the use of this type of reac- that EDF the intends to adopt to study tor. IRSN took part in a seminar in India and the EPR steam line break accidents. in international working groups devoted to The method proposed by EDF is Diagram of a steam line break. the EPR. based on MTC 3D package, a coupled www.irsn.fr kinetics computer code package using three modules: 3D neutronics, 3D core thermal-hydraulics, and Examining safety and radiation thermal-hydraulics of the reactor coolant and secondary systems protection management at CEA The performance of the models in the 3D HEMERA package and At ASN’s request, IRSN examined safety and the quality of the interfaces implemented between the modules radiation protection management at CEA, have revealed safety-related phenomena that the MTC 3D package the French alternative energies and atomic was unable to identify. In particular, IRSN revealed a risk of natural energy commission, and its operational circulation being interrupted in reactor coolant loops not affected application to the day-to-day practices by the steam line break, in the event of reactor coolant pump in use at the organization’s basic nuclear shutdown. From this observation, the Institute concluded that the installations. The Institute’s assessment was method recommended by EDF could not be used for the EPR safety based on CEA documentation and about a demonstration without substantial improvements to modeling. hundred interviews of CEA safety and radia- www.irsn.fr

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tinuous improvement. IRSN assessments 709 Monitoring plants, 646 658 such as these, distinct from the regulatory fuel cycle facilities, and process, contribute to continuous improve- radioactive material ments in safety of facilities. shipments IRSN puts all its skills and expertise to Analysis of the EDF’s on-site work to provide consistent safety asses- emergency plan reference fi le sments of facilities and a wide range of In August 2010, IRSN sent ASN its opin- activities. 2008 2009 2010 ion on the draft reference fi le that EDF has drawn up for producing the on-site emer- Number of Safety review for the CIS bio technical gency plans for its plants. The procedures notices to ASN international plant set out in this document, which specifi es (excluding On July 7, 2010, IRSN presented the rele- the organization that nuclear power plant defense-related vant ASNadvisory committee with the con- operators must put in place in the event activities). clusions of its safety review for the artifi cial of an emergency, will be implemented on radio-isotope production plant located at each site. IRSN has examined the feasibility Saclay near Paris, and operated by CIS bio and consistency of the project, giving spe- international. cial attention to the handling of accident The Institute noted that signifi cant reno- conditions that could lead to risks for the vation work had been undertaken at the general population. facility since 2005, mainly with a view to Following its examination, IRSN considers improving provisions taken to control risk that the draft document proposed by EDF of fi re and spread of radioactive materials. should improve the consistency, robustness Nevertheless, further studies should be pro- and accuracy of the emergency response vided to assess the behavior of structures in systems implemented at its power plants. the event of an incident (such as fi re, load IRSN has also drawn up recommendations drop or external explosion) and to rule on with a view to improving the operational the adequacy of the provisions adopted by aspects of the emergency response systems the operator concerning of those risks. described in the document. Furthermore, IRSN identified areas for improvement at the facility, in particular concerning the management of risks relating to fi re and the spread of radioactive IN THE WORDS OF... materials, and the organizational provisions put in place to mitigate risks associ- Didier Wattrelos, ated with the sensitive activities performed Head of the Clearinghouse project for IRSN at the facility. of incident included in the Pending additional studies on these issues, Institute’s incident database. which will undergo a new examination in In performing these studies, 2011, the Institut recommended that the the Institute is helping to operator make provisions to reduce the enhance safety on a European quantity of radioactive iodine liable to be level, to the extent that released in the event of an accident. Clearinghouse is a data- sharing mechanism that allows International regulations countries with only a few on the transportation nuclear facilities to benefi t from of radioactive materials greater analytical capabilities As part of its support activities for ASN, and more extensive operating IRSN participated in meetings organized “By participating in the experience feedback.” by the IAEA in 2010 to reach a consensus European Clearinghouse www.irsn.fr among member states and international project, which aims to share organizations on the publication of a new experience in pressurized edition of the international regulations on water reactor operation the transportation of radioactive materi- throughout Europe, als. The decision to publish a new edition IRSN makes good use of its (the fi rst dates back to 1961) was taken knowledge and databases to during a revision cycle initiated in 2008 perform analyses. to which IRSN actively contributed by The studies in progress focus suggesting changes aimed at increasing on external hazards and spare the level of safety in the transportation parts supply, as well as a more of radioactive materials. During 2010, IRSN general analysis of the types presented the French position on exemp-

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tion thresholds, conditions for the trans- ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

portation of naturally occurring radioactive materials and requirements associated with ﬁ ssile materials that are exempt from a criticality-safety demonstration. The current revision cycle will be completed in 2012. Before coming into force in France, the new regulations will have to be integrated into road, rail, waterway and air transport regulations.

MIRTE experimental criticality program The MIRTE 1 program, performed under IRSN leadership at the CEA’s criticality facility in Valduc, in eastern France, and jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Areva and ANDRA, was completed as planned in June 2010. The program comprised 43 experiments involving the use of one or more fuel assemblies surrounded or separated by vari- Road transportation of irradiated fuel is governed by international regulations.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ous screens. Its main aim was to contribute to the validation of criticality calculation French-Chinese seminar packages for various structural materials on nuclear fuel cycle likely to be used in shipping casks and at fuel cycle facilities. facility safety IRSN’s initial analyses of the experimental results have already produced basic data At the request of its Chinese counterpart NSC, the Nuclear Safety Center, concerning the neutronic characteristics of IRSN helped to organize a French-Chinese seminar on fuel cycle facility the materials tested (copper, nickel, tita- safety in Beijing, in October 2010, with the participation of representatives nium, iron, aluminum, Zircaloy, lead and of NNSA, China’s safety authority. The seminar was held in partnership with glass). The effect of the water content of Areva and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in the context of concrete, which is a signifi cant parameter Chinese plans to build fuel cycle facilities (a spent fuel reprocessing plant, MOX in criticality risk analyses, was also studied. fuel manufacturing facility). The presentations focused on French and Chinese The successful completion of the MIRTE 1 approaches to assessing safety fi les for fuel cycle facilities and on the technical program demonstrated the professional- basis of these assessments. IRSN made a signifi cant contribution in sharing its ism of the IRSN and CEA teams and how know-how in these various areas. The seminar highlighted the safety concerns they complement each other in world-class shared by all parties and on which future exchanges could be based. experimental programs such as this. Areva, ANDRA and the DOE are convinced of the benefi ts of such experiments and have committed themselves to performing a second phase of the program, called MIRTE 2. This second phase will set out to supplement the MIRTE 1 program and test additional materials. The partners are currently collaborating closely on the detailed design of the MIRTE 2 program.

Nuclear fuel cycle operation In June 2010, IRSN presented to the relevant advisory committees with the conclusions of its assessment, from a safety and radiation protection standpoint, of how the French “fuel cycle” is planned to operate for the period 2007-2017. This analysis,

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Installing the “fine” test device with its 5 mm copper shield in equipment test tank B of the criticality facility at the CEA Valduc site.

based on fi les produced by the operators INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY concerned (EDF, Areva and Andra) with EDF taking overall responsibility, focused Long-term collaboration in particular on the operations and logisti- on criticality cal resources required to run EDF’s nuclear reactors and manage spent fuel. Since 1995, IRSN has contributed to In order to confi rm the data concerning the production of an international handbook inventories and fl ows of nuclear materials of criticality experiments, serving to validate for its assessment, IRSN simulated fuel cycle criticality calculation packages, as part of operation, taking past and future opera- the OECD’s ICSBEP project. tion of nuclear reactors into account. This Several close collaborations, set up with type of simulation was also used to study the criticality teams of the Japan Atomic Energy changes that would be brought about by Agency (JAEA), the DOE and the Russian Institute the deployment of next-generation nuclear for Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE), have reactors. led on to joint experimental programs, such In particular, IRSN concluded that available as the ISTC MOX project, led by IPPE in storage capacities, both for reprocessed collaboration with IRSN and the DOE, and uranium and for irradiated fuel, could prove IRSN’s MIRTE 1&2 programs involving the DOE, insuffi cient in the short to medium term. Areva and ANDRA. Based on these conclusions, the advisory These collaborations also identify experimental committees have recommended that EDF needs and assess experimental programs designed present a detailed analysis of its available to fi ll them. Within this context, IRSN has been capacity in the coming years, taking into invited by the DOE to help defi ne the forthcoming account any diffi culties that might affect TEX program, which will be carried out in the USA its plans to increase storage capacity for as of 2014. spent fuel.

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Fuel safety Signiﬁ cant, tangible progress in ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

IRSN research in fuel safety seeks to provide LOCA simulation a better assessment of the safety limits to be In 2010, the structural integrity and considered for the new nuclear fuel manage- micromechanics (MIST) laboratory, a joint ment methods contemplated by operators. laboratory setted up by IRSN, CNRS and Montpellier University 2, made signifi cant Reference system for the study advances in LOCA simulation. It provided of a loss-of-coolant accident a major contribution to the validation of In 2010, IRSN presented the advisory com- mechanical models of the IRSN DRACCAR mittee for nuclear reactors with its assess- software, which models the thermo- ment of EDF’s planned modifications mechanical behavior of a fuel assembly to the reference system for the study of during a LOCA. The laboratory also offered a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The a simplifi ed model for assessing the move- assessment focused on the guarantee of ment of fuel fragments inside the cladding reactor core cooling. The proposed orienta- during this type of accident. Modeling this tions approved by the advisory commit- phenomenon, called fuel relocation, is one tee will have to be further developed over of the keys for determining fuel behavior the coming years. They concern the size of during a LOCA. It is the subject of numer- breaks to be considered and fuel strength ous studies and experiments, in particular MORE ABOUT requirements during quenching, together for the revising safety criteria associated Loss of coolant with the mechanical loads to be calculated with a LOCA. and physical phenomena to be taken into More generally, since 2007, the MIST labo- accidents account, such as the movement of fuel pel- ratory has been developing theoretical and (LOCAs) let fragments inside fuel rod cladding. The simulation tools for nuclear safety, sup- advisory committee should meet again to porting IRSN’s safety analysis work. Those These accidents are taken into discuss these topics by 2013. tools, have helped to understand key account at the design stage of pressurized water reactors. They are relevant to the design of safety-related reactor systems and components, notably the safety injection system, the mechanical components of the reactor coolant system, and the containment building. An accidental break in the 2 reactor coolant system causes a 1 decompression wave that travels through the system and subjects its components, and reactor internals and fuel assemblies, to huge hydraulic loads. For safety purposes, mechanical stresses on reactor internals and fuel assemblies must be limited so that fuel assembly and core geometries can ensure continued 3 cooling. Furthermore, a LOCA leads to reactor core uncovery. This causes the fuel rod cladding to heat up, Schematic which can lead to cladding failure. illustration of the fuel relocation The water injected by the safety phenomenon and fuel injection system restores the fl ow ejection in the event of water, thus putting an end to of cladding failure. the overheating. The arrival of this 1. Fuel cladding. cold water may, however, cause 2. Fuel fragments the overheated, oxidized cladding (shown as spheres). to fail and lead to additional 3. Clad ballooning and cracking induced by dispersal of radioactive substances fi ssion gas pressure into the reactor coolant system. in the fuel. www.irsn.fr

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The CABRI reactor vessel was filled with water on November 30, 2010.

mechanisms involved in pressurized water Internal and external reactors accidents such as fuel behavior deployment of SCANAIR (fragmentation, changes in properties with software reactor residence time), cladding behavior The SCANAIR software, which is now fully (changes in properties, failure modes, tran- mature, is used by IRSN to identify the vari- sient swelling) and interactions between ous phenomena that must be taken into cladding and fractured fuel. account in the study of pressurized water reactors Reactivity Initiated Accidents Progress in CABRI reactor (RIA) safety criteria. In the context of upgrade work IRSN’s research into this type of accident, In 2010, a number of key phases were com- the SCANAIR application was used to pre- pleted in the upgrading work on CABRI. This commissioning the new nuclear ventilation pare the tests of the CABRI International IRSN-funded work includes the construction system for the reactor building, renovat- Program. Within France, the software is also of a pressurized water loop that reproduces ing the two external tanks and reactor core widely used by EDF to produce safety docu- the conditions encountered in a pressur- water pipework, performing functional tests mentation and by the CEA for studies relat- ized water reactor and the enhancement of on the radioactive effl uent systems and ing to the safety of the CABRI core. facility safety and security. The CABRI test reinstalling reactor internals prior to water The year 2010 also saw SCANAIR distrib- reactor operated by CEA on the Cadarache fi lling at the end of the year. uted internationally, in particular to the site in southern France is used by IRSN for In addition, a characterization campaign Finnish technical support body (VTT), the its research into the behavior of nuclear for hodoscope sensors, designed to detect Spanish safety authority (CSN), and the fuel under accident conditions. fuel movements in the fuel rod being tested Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), thus The operations performed in 2010 involved under accident conditions in CABRI, was allowing a larger validation of the software completing seismic strengthening work on successfully carried out through tests in and, more generally, consolidating IRSN’s the reactor building and adjoining buildings, CEA’s SILENE reactor. international profi le.

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Aging nuclear facilities work made it possible for ASN to pub- ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

and service life extension lish the technical grounds for its decision IRSN is a fully independent organization regarding continued operation of this reac- that provides the public authorities with the tor, with an unprecedented level of infor- technical assessments they need to make mation brought to public attention. decisions as to the continued operation of www.irsn.fr reactors in the short to medium term.

Reactor vessel strength analysis In 2010, IRSN examined whether the reactor vessels of 900 MWe reactors were capable of operating for 40 years. Reactor vessel integrity is vital for safety and is therefore reviewed every 10 years to consider the effects of aging and actual operating conditions. At ASN’s request, IRSN examined the fi le submitted by EDF that is intended to demonstrate that there is no risk of failure in the event of cold shock due to water from the safety injection system. IRSN and ASN’s Nuclear Pressure Equipment Cover Department presented their conclusions of the vessel to the relevant advisory committee on June 16 and 30, 2010. The group ruled in favor of continuing operation for the reactor vessels of all 900 MWe reactors until their fourth ten-year inspection, provided that the temperature of the water used for safety injection on reactor B1 at the Saint- Laurent plant (on the River Loire, southwest of Paris) is increased. www.irsn.fr primary primary water water intake Safety review for the fi rst 900 discharge MWe reactor as part of its third ten-yearly inspection In 2010, following the generic safety review carried out within the context of the third ten-yearly inspection of 900 MWe reactors, and drawing on a critical analysis of fi ndings of the safety review performed Core by EDF, IRSN assessed the suitability of the modifi cations made and the results of the checks performed for the compliance review of reactor 1 at the Tricastin plant in southern France as part of its third ten- yearly inspection. The Institute also exam- Reactor Vessel ined the fi le concerning the suitability for the continued operation of this reactor. The fi le in question is aimed at demonstrating that aging is managed in a way that guar- antees safe operation of this reactor for at least another ten years. IRSN considered that, despite certain reservations regarding the generic studies, it could see no obstacle to continued operation of Tricastin 1. This reactor was the fi rst of the 58 reactors in France to undergo a safety review under the new enhanced framework intro- duced by the French Nuclear Security and Transparency Act (TSN). In 2010, IRSN’s Cross-section of the vessel of a 900 MWe pressurized water reactor.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 47

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Reactor service life extension The SATURNE In the context of discussions regarding the calorimeter hood possible extension of the service life of is used to study the behavior of reactors in the EDF fl eet beyond 40 years, fires in an open IRSN has identifi ed two major subjects for environment. investigation: EDF’s management of the aging and obso- lescence of safety-related structures, systems and equipment after 40 years and, in correlation to this, its ability to anticipate the best time to replace any safety-related components as necessary; modifi cations that may be specifi ed and implemented to significantly reduce the probability or consequences of accidents. Initial discussions on these matters were held with EDF in 2010, to prepare a meeting of the relevant advisory committee to examine EDF’s orientations. The meeting is planned for 2011.

IN THE WORDS OF… Fires and Lounes Tadrist, Director of the Institute for thermal industrial containment systems (IUSTI, University Aix-Marseille I and II – UMR CNRS 6595) The research work performed by IRSN regarding fi re protection aims to improve ETIC, the goal-oriented research understanding of how a fi re develops in a performed by IRSN will be able confi ned space and the related risk of radio- to rely on prior research that active release to the environment. will consolidate its advances in understanding and simulating Studying fi res liable to occur at fi res in nuclear facilities. ETIC is nuclear facilities an “open” laboratory that plans In 2010, IRSN analyzed the results of three to share skills and tools around PICSEL-S program tests, which were per- four research themes that we formed in 2009 as part of a joint program have specifi ed together: smoke with Areva NC, in partnership with JNES, the propagation, combustion under Japanese technical support organization. fi re conditions, developing These full-scale tests, carried out at the “The creation in January instrumentation dedicated DIVA facility, focused on the effects of 2010 of ETIC, a joint research to fi re-wall interactions and compartmentation (using fire dampers laboratory for the study of developing fi eld models. for example) on combustion and smoke fi re in a confi ned space, stems For each of these themes, a propagation at a nuclear facility such as a from the shared desire of IRSN roadmap has been drawn up, laboratory or plant. The source of the fi re and IUSTI to strengthen their identifying the scientifi c barriers was an electrical cabinet - with its door long-standing collaboration. to be overcome and setting open - similar to those found at nuclear For IUSTI, this collaboration is objectives for results over facilities. an opportunity to enlarge the the next four years.” The analysis distinguished three phases of scope of our activities to include combustion: fi rst, a slow fi re-propagation research into fi re in ventilated- phase, then a rapid-combustion phase confi ned spaces, a signifi cant during which the fl ame propagates over issue for nuclear safety. It will the whole cabinet surface, and lastly, a draw on our skills in the fi eld of relatively long burning-out phase until the fi re research in urban, industrial fi re dies out. It appears that only the last and natural environments that combustion phase is affected by compart- have been developed over the mentation of the room involved, with the last 15 years or more. Through opening and closing of fi re dampers affect-

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ing ﬁ re duration and the transfer of smoke mance of various simulation software pack- At the DELIA facility for underwater and air ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

to adjacent rooms. ages in simulating the tests included in the laser cutting, steel plates up to 80 mm thick program. Drawing on unique experimental were cut in air using a continuous wave 8 Understanding the role and data obtained from the PRISME program, kW YAG laser. The concentration and par- mechanisms of smoke transfer this work led to improved consideration of ticle size distribution of the aerosol emitted IRSN performed the last test campaign of smoke transfer phenomena when model- during cutting operations were determined the international PRISME project in 2010. ing fi res in a ventilated-confi ned space and as a function of parameters (nozzle diam- The six tests involved fi re sources such as enhanced validation methods for fi re simu- eter, plate-to-beam waist distance, laser solvents or electrical cabinet and power lation software. power and speed) and plate thickness. The cable fi res. process was validated and measurements One of the major aim of the PRISME project Patents for minimizing aerosol were used to obtain the optimum condi- was to study various smoke transfer mecha- emissions induced by laser tions for minimizing aerosol emissions. nisms during a fi re in a nuclear reactor and cutting to assess the consequences for facility com- In 2010, as a result of research carried out ponents (in particular for electrical cables). in partnership with the CEA’s Assembly It involved 22 partners from 12 different Technologies Laboratory in Saclay, near countries (European countries, plus South Paris, two patent applications were fi led Korea, Japan, Canada and the USA) between with a view to minimizing aerosol emis- 2006 and 2010. sions induced by laser cutting operations. At the same time, a working group carried The cutting process in question could be out cross-comparisons to assess the perfor- used in dismantling nuclear facilities.

1 2

The work carried out in cooperation with the CEA’s joining technology laboratory (LTA) in Saclay, near Paris, involved the use of the continuous wave 8 kW YAG laser at the DELIA facility, for underwater and air laser cutting facility. 1. Laser cutting head 2. Steel plate 3. Underwater cell.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 49

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Accidents More speciﬁ cally, it studied the quantity nomena affecting the boron carbide (B4C) In addition to the considerable work it and nature of iodine (aerosols, molecular neutron absorber rods in nuclear reactors carries out on the prevention of PWR core iodine or organic iodine) released from in the presence of water vapor. It centered

meltdown accidents, IRSN is conducting the sump located at the bottom of the on four areas: the oxidation of B4C pellets, research into the physics of such accidents containment building. It also considered the oxidation of liquid mixtures of steel and

and their potential impact on human health the production of organic iodine through B4C formed at high temperature, the defor-

and the environment. irradiation of the iodine deposited on the mation of a B4C control rod segment, and painted surfaces of the containment walls. the modeling of the carbonaceous gases Experimental studies on iodine The effects of the pH of the water in the emitted, under conditions representative chemistry sump, temperature, gas-phase oxygen con- of accident scenarios. IRSN performed the 29th and last test of centration, water vapor pressure and initial The results were used to establish the the ISTP/EPICUR program in September quantity of iodine deposited on the paint appropriate oxidation laws and identify 2010. The radioactive iodine produced in were examined. phenomena that were not previously taken nuclear reactors is a radiotoxic element that The experimental data gathered serves into account by modeling codes, for exam- exists in volatile forms (molecular iodine to improve software used for estimating ple the dissolution of previously-formed and organic iodides). It is the main con- the release of radioactive iodine and so, to oxide layers on the surfaces of Zircaloy

tributor to radiological effects in case of reduce the uncertainty of the correspond- guide tubes by the B4C-steel mixture. They radioactive release to the environment fol- ing calculations. confi rmed that, in the event of a core melt- lowing a reactor core meltdown accident. down accident, the materials making up the In particular, organic iodine gas is diffi cult Completion of the BECARRE control rods would have an impact on the to capture in fi lter systems. experimental program degradation of the surrounding fuel rods

The ISTP/EPICUR program, which began IRSN performed the fi nal experiment in the and, in the case of B4C rods, this effect in 2005, aimed to study iodine behavior BECARRE program in March 2010. This pro- could be increased as a result of the mix- within the reactor containment building. gram was set up to study degradation phe- tures formed splashing and fl owing down along the rods (candling). The results of the BECARRE program also demonstrated that only very small quantities of methane are produced by boron carbide oxidation, which IN THE WORDS OF... limits the potential production of volatile organic iodine under these conditions. Dr Richard Y. Lee, Offi ce of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Launch of the ECOBA project In 2010, IRSN received funding from the with information relating to the French national research agency for the relevance of the assumptions ECOBA project it is running in partnership used to develop the “Revised with the GeM laboratory (Ecole Centrale Source Term” that we published in Nantes, University of Nantes and in 1995 in report NUREG-1465. University of Saint-Nazaire), the University Phebus FP and the International of Pau and Pays de l’Adour and the Ecole Source Term Program showed Normale Supérieure in Cachan. The project, that although many of our scheduled to last three years, will study the assumptions were correct, containment properties of reinforced con- some of them relating to iodine crete structures and includes a program of behavior in the containment experiments aimed at testing the behavior needed to be reviewed. This of a full-scale mock-up representing a rein- “I took part in the Phebus FP emerged from the EPICUR tests forced concrete containment wall under the program, which was completed in particular. These test results infl uence of pressure and temperature. In at the end of last year, from are very important not only 2010, the project chiefl y focused on design- the time the US NRC became for designing safer reactors, ing the mock-up and the various measuring involved in 1989. We worked but also for maintaining and devices to be set up during the tests. IRSN with IRSN on fi ve tests that enhancing the safety of reactors will measure containment leakage. proved extremely useful for already in service.” The results of research work carried out the NRC, as they provided the by doctoral students at the IRSN on the data required for updating and behavior of early age concrete and the validating our computer codes, mesoscopic approach (modeling on the in particular those relating to scale of individual granules) to explain the major accidents. This is the case cracking phenomena will be used to defi ne with MELCOR, the American these measurements. The ECOBA project equivalent of the ASTEC code will provide additional data for evaluating developed by the European double-wall containment systems for reac- Union. They also provided us tors, which will be the subject of an

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MORE ABOUT ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES Simulation of corium-concrete interactions

The year 2010 saw some of the question cannot be examined complex by the fact that gas

outcomes of work started in experimentally as the materials in bubbles (CO2, H20) released by the 2002 on the detailed simulation question are corrosive and opaque concrete as it heats up and melts of the interaction between corium at very high temperatures. It does, enter and disturbs the corium- (mixture of materials resulting however, play a crucial role in concrete interface. The detailed from reactor core meltdown) the rate at which the concrete is model used will be validated by and the concrete used in the eroded by the corium. As far as analytical tests carried out in foundation slab supporting the safety is concerned, the aim is to collaboration with the Toulouse reactor vessel. Simulations obtain a more precise estimate of Institute of Fluid Mechanics, involved determining heat the distribution of heat released (dynamics of liquid interfaces/ transfers taking place between by the corium on the surface in liquid crossed by a gas) and by the different phases present. contact with the foundation slab tests performed at the CNRS Dissertations in this area made concrete, a value that determines PROMES laboratory (thermal a signiﬁ cant contribution. The the foundation slab erosion rate. degradation of concrete in a solar structure of the interfaces in The problem is made all the more oven).

Display of the interface between corium and siliceous concrete with (right) and without (left) gas release. Density deviation (top) and solid fraction deviation (bottom).

Change in an interface in the corium between an oxide layer and a metal layer with gas bubbles released by the concrete passing through it. Density deviation on the left and temperature fields on the right used to quantity heat transfer.

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Containment Containment 1. Pressurized corium ejection can cause containment overheating and pressurization. 2. Corium falling into the reactor pit can cause a steam explosion. 3. Display of an MC3D calculation of corium flowing into the reactor pit water. Vessel Vessel

Corium Corium Reactor pit Reactor pit

123

advisory committee meeting on reactors fuel may spread through the containment Presentations and discussions highlighted planned for the end of 2012. building and pressurize it as a result of the capitalization of knowledge acquired direct containment heating (DCH). MC3D in SARNET in the ASTEC software package, Modeling phenomena resulting software has also been successively used for developed by IRSN and its German coun- from reactor vessel failure in the several years to study the spread of mol- terpart GRS, to simulate the full scenario event of a major accident ten core material in this type of scenario of a severe accident. Developed by IRSN in partnership with EDF for 1300 MWe reactors, the EPR, and 900 New requests to use the software (by KINS, and CEA, MC3D is a thermal-hydraulic soft- MWe reactors. the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, and ware program primarily used for assessing www.irsn.fr VTT, the Finnish technical research centre) phenomena liable to occur immediately confi rm ASTEC’s position as an interna- following a postulated reactor vessel fail- Increased recognition for tional reference code. ure in the event of a core meltdown acci- SARNET In addition, new partners have joined the dent. If there is water in the reactor pit, the The 4th ERMSAR (European Review Meeting network: KINS and soon India’s Bhabba molten core which is spreading breaks up on Severe Accident Research) conference, Atomic Research Centre (BARC). and mixes with water, which could lead to hosted by ENEA in May 2010 in the Italian a steam explosion. city of Bologna, was attended by 98 del- Progress in the ASAMPSA2 In 2010, IRSN carried out realistic 3D egates from various countries. project assessments on a reactor-scale steam The conference presented details of work The ASAMPSA2 project, coordinated explosion. This work was made possible by carried out in partnership by members of by IRSN, sets out to create a best prac- recent improvements to the MC3D soft- SARNET, the European network of excel- tice guide for level 2 Probabilistic Safety ware application. If there is no water in the lence. Coordinated by IRSN, SARNET is Assessments (PSA2). In 2010, a fi rst version reactor pit, and if the reactor vessel is pres- devoted to research into possible severe of the guide was completed and sent for surized at the time of failure, the molten accidents involving nuclear reactors. review to over a hundred European agencies and OECD partners. Practices vary widely across Europe, and the guide should har- monize the implementation of PSA2s and MORE ABOUT the use of the conclusions of these studies Getting back to the basics in chemistry in the overall safety assessment of nuclear power plants. to further understanding Although it deals primarily with plants currently operating in Europe, the guide also Theoretical chemistry, the use of which has shot up in the considers Generation IV reactors. past 20 years, serves to calculate macroscopic properties, such as The ASAMPSA2 project includes 21 agen- reactivity, that are diffi cult to obtain experimentally, by determining cies from 12 European countries involved the electronic properties of atoms, molecules and their interactions. in nuclear reactor safety, including nuclear It is also a good tool for helping to interpret complex experiments operators, service providers, safety authori- that optimize test matrices in advance. In 2010, these techniques ties, constructors, and research agencies. were used successfully at the C3R joint laboratory (IRSN-CNRS It began on January 1, 2008 for three and University of Lille 1), to calculate the kinetic constants of reaction a half years as part of FP7, the European systems involving iodine in the reactor coolant system to determine Commission seventh framework program the stability and solubility of iodine oxides. They are also used for research and technological develop- in interpreting interactions between iodine and paint in the ment. containment building. www.asampsa2.eu

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IRSN is working with IPG, the French institute of earth physics, and the Ecole normale supérieure in Paris, to study the processes of deformation of the rift in the Corinth region in Greece.

Natural hazards standing of how active faults work and whether these factors explain in any way The research carried out by IRSN in the will also serve to develop seismicity mod- the considerable diversity of seismic behav- area of natural hazards is aimed at improv- els. In particular, the results of geodesic ior observed. Based on the results of this ing understanding of the risks and conse- measurements (taken over a period of 10 work, a method will be produced for inte- quences for a nuclear facility of events, years) will be compared with paleoseismo- grating the contribution of active faults into such as earthquakes, heat waves, storms, logical studies along the faults (covering probabilistic seismic hazard calculations, by or fl ooding. a period of 10,000 years) to quantify the taking their mechanical behavior and seis- share of deformations absorbed by each mic history into account. Post-earthquake mission fault. The age of faults and the presence in Chile of fl uids will then be studied to determine IRSN is regularly called on to participate in post-earthquake missions following signifi cant quakes. This allows it to build up its expertise in both seismology and seismic design for buildings. In 2010, the Institute was called in on a post-earthquake mission organized by the international laboratory Montessus de Ballore, following the earthquake of mag- INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY nitude 8.8 that struck Chile on February 27. Site survey services The two-week mission provided seismological and geodesic data for use in studying the mainshock and its aftershocks. The initial geological observations made con- Several countries wishing to acquire nuclear power capability cern the changes to the landscape caused have initiated a site selection and validation processes and have by the earthquake on the coast (uplift or called on IRSN for its expertise to characterize the sites subsidence of soil) and the extent of the under consideration. zone fl ooded by the tsunami. IRSN is supporting the United Arab Emirates nuclear safety www.irsn.fr authority (FANR) by providing a technical assessment of the preliminary safety analysis report chapter devoted to the Seismic hazard assessment characterization of the selected site. In Tunisia, it is helping STEG, In 2010, ANR decided to fund the SISCOR the Tunisian gas and electric utility, to assess certain natural research project that brings together IRSN, hazards as part of an agreement with AFNI, the French nuclear IPG, the French institute of earth physics, international agency. and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure in Paris. The studies planned as part of the The Institute also performed a study in associate with AFNI project set out to observe and model the for the Kuwait nuclear safety authority (KNNEC), as part of deformation processes affecting the rift in a preliminary siting process for a nuclear power plant. the western part of the Corinth region in Lastly, it is also working in Jordan and Egypt for EC-funded Greece – Europe’s most seismically active projects on behalf of the local safety authorities. region. Tectonic studies and permanent Here too, its experts are helping the authorities to acquire seismological and geodesic networks set the methods and set up requirements that any nuclear facilities up in 2000 will help to improve under- built in these countries will have to meet.

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About defense ASSESSING THE SAFETY OF MILITARY NUCLEAR SYSTEMS, NUCLEAR FACILITIES AND DEFENSE-RELATED TRANSPORT

IRSN’s activities in this area, particularly It also continued its examination of the application for a pro- those of its Nuclear Defense Expertise visional operating license for the experimental reactor (RES) Division (DEND) come under a technical at the Cadarache secret nuclear facilities in southern France. support agreement with the French Re- For the laboratories and plants used for Defense activities at presentative in charge of Nuclear Safety the CEA center in Cadarache, IRSN assessed the safety of the future nuclear materials storage facility of the nuclear propul- and Radiation Protection for Defense-re- sion fuel manufacturing plant, together with plans for a spent lated Activities and Facilities (DSND), ope- fuel dry storage facility. rating under the aegis of the Ministry of The Institute also began the safety examination for construc- Defense and the Ministry for Industry. tion permits for the planned plutonium recycling facility and tritiated waste storage facility at the CEA/DAM center in Valduc in eastern France. SAFETY OF SUBMARINES, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS AND It examined the safety analysis report concerning the construc- DEFENSE-RELATED MILITARY OR CIVIL FACILITIES tion of four new buildings intended for the storage of uranium- IRSN’s safety assessments of facilities and equipment oper- bearing materials (P35) at the Areva NC plant in Pierrelatte in ated by the Ministry of Defense, CEA and Areva cover their southern France. entire life cycle, from design and construction, to operation Regarding the CEA center in Marcoule in the south of France, and dismantling. They also concern any major transformations IRSN examined the safety baseline of the alpha waste packag- on the facilities and equipment brought about by changes in ing facility (UCDA) prior to commissioning. their activity. OPERATION DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IRSN’s work included a safety review of the “Rubis” class nuclear In 2010, IRSN examined the supporting documentation submit- attack submarines, for which most of the documentation was ted by DGA, the French defense procurement agency, for the examined in 2010 to comment on the modifi cations required defi nitive operating authorization request for the next nuclear for their fi nal operating period, pending the arrival of the ballistic missile submarine, “Le Terrible”, the last of this class, “Barracuda” class vessels. following its sea trials. The Institute examined, as it does every year, the lessons learned The Institute also assessed the documentation submitted from events affecting the operation of on-board nuclear steam- for the commissioning of the new fuel storage pool at the supply systems and their land-based support facilities. Ile Longue base in Brittany, as well as preliminary studies in It also began to examine new water intake and discharge per- preparation for the arrival of future nuclear attack submarines mit applications (DARPE) submitted by the bases in Cherbourg, of the “Barracuda” program at the port of Cherbourg on the Brest and Toulon, which are involved in building and providing Channel. support for nuclear-powered vessels. The Institute began assessments relating to the safety review of the liquid effl uent treatment station and a legacy-waste storage facility (MAR 400) at the CEA Marcoule center, so as to determine whether or not they could continue to operate. It also examined the documentation submitted by the operator following the safety review of the Marcoule Vitrifi cation Facility, performed in 2009. As part of its facility monitoring activities, it examined the causes of and lessons learned from a number of incidents that had occurred at the facility. Lastly, it began the process of examining the new DARPE. The Institute has analyzed the safety review documentation for the nuclear propulsion fuel manufacturing facility at the CEA center in Cadarache, together with several applications for authorization to carry out modifi cations including structural reinforcements and fuel element production equipment. IRSN conducted the safety review of the “Rubis” class As part of the safety review of the facilities at the CEA/DAM nuclear attack submarines. center in Valduc, it examined the safety baselines of facilities

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designed for the storage of recyclable depleted weapon parts transport package. The additional ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

plutonium-contaminated products and waste such information was sent by CEA in response to rec- as tritium, and VLLW, alpha waste. It also examined 7 ommendations issued by the Transport Safety several safety ﬁ les related to the improvement of IRSN reports Commission following a meeting in 2009. for meetings of the production tool at the Valduc center (new triti- “defense-related” ated water treatment process, changes to storage technical safety ONSITE EMERGENCY PLANS AND DRILLS conditions in a nuclear materials warehouse, etc.) commissions. In 2010 IRSN was involved in developing scenarios IRSN examined reports on several incidents that (6 in 2009) for emergency drills at the Istres airbase, the CEA occurred at the CEA/DAM center in Valduc and the Marcoule site, and the Areva Pierrelatte site – all Areva NC center in Pierrelatte and assessed how located in southern France – as well as the naval they were handled. Overall safety at the Tricastin bases in Toulon and Cherbourg, and for a transport site was examined. In addition, the Institute began to examine how nuclear operators at Valduc, Pierrelatte and Marcoule had responded to the DSND’s request for them to take into account operating experience feedback from the criticality-related events that occurred at the CEA Cadarache ATPu facility.

DISMANTLING IRSN examined the safety documentation concerning the transfer of effl uent due to fi nal shutdown and dismantling activities at the UP1 plant to the Marcoule Vitrifi cation Facility (APM), and the dismantling of some high-level process cells at the Marcoule prototype facility.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL TRANSPORT Documentation examined by IRSN relating to the transport of defense-related radioactive materials included: requests for extension of approvals for transport on public domain, applications for the authorization of on-site transport, proposals for updates to IAEA recommendations concerning the transport of radioactive materials, in preparation for the publication of a new version of the recommendations in 2012, emergency plans relating to the transport of radioactive materials. IRSN proposed a model for producing emergency plans, together with dimensioning guidelines. IRSN regularly examines shipping containers It also examined additional evidence relating to the 81,000 for weapons parts.

MORE ABOUT The nuclear propulsion fuel manufacturing facility at the CEA center in Cadarache

The nuclear propulsion fuel manufacturing facility at the CEA center in Cadarache was discussed in a joint meeting of the French commission for safety of laboratories, plants and waste management, and the French commission for criticality safety in 2010, when the safety review documentation for this facility was examined. The operator’s review process defi ned actions that would signifi cantly improve facility safety. As part of the reassessment of seismic risks, the operator launched the process for building a new earthquake-resistant storage facility for fi ssile materials. Following this assessment, DSND authorized both the continuing operation of the existing facility, and the construction of the new storage facility.

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84 technical notices to ASN for defense- related activities. (93 in 2009) An emergency drill was organized at the Toulon naval base.

MORE ABOUT operation. The Institute also took an active part in three drills, as well as an internal French Navy drill. Safety review at It issued technical notices to the DSND concerning a number the Marcoule facilities of onsite emergency plans. These included: the operational aspects of the onsite emergency plans at In 2010, IRSN assessed the safety review CEA’s Cadarache center in southern France and Saint Dizier documentation of two facilities at the airbase in eastern France, Marcoule Center in southern France. accident conditions covered by the onsite emergency plan In view of the improvements already made at Areva’s Pierrelatte site, and those planned by the operator of the the operational aspects of CEA’s emergency transport irradiated fuel assembly surveillance facility plan. (ISAI), the DSND authorized continued operation of the facility for another ten years. RADIOACTIVE SOURCES IRSN assessed operating conditions at the CEA In 2010, IRSN issued a notice at the DSND’s request on the use Marcoule center’s tritium facility (ATM) up of some ﬁ fty electrical devices emitting ionizing radiation at to its planned shutdown date in 2012. the CEA’s Gramat center in the southwest of France.

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INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY

CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENTS ON Participation in FUTURE FACILITIES European projects Reactors of the future Looking ahead to the development of IRSN was involved in several other projects in 2010 relating Generation IV reactors, IRSN is enhanc- to Generation IV reactors and set up as part of FP7. ing its knowledge so that it can assess the These included: safety of these reactors and their associated EUROPAIRS, which is aimed at studying the coupling of a very fuel cycle facilities when the time comes. high-temperature reactor to a hydrogen production factory; It is focusing in particular on issues related GoFastR, relating to design and safety studies for a gas-cooled to sodium-cooled fast reactors. fast reactor (GFR); CP-ESFR, for the development of a sodium-cooled fast reactor ASTRID project examination (SFR); process ADRIANA, which reviews existing or potential test methods In 2010, IRSN continued discussions with for developing sodium-, gas- or lead-cooled fast reactors; ASN and the various participants in the THINS, for the development and validation of thermal-hydraulic ASTRID project for the industrial demon- simulation tools applicable to various Generation IV reactor stration of sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) concepts. technology. Drawing on its technical assessment experience in this fi eld, the Institute conducted an analysis of the technical examination process that should be adopted for the ASTRID project. This work focused on several areas including: new regulatory framework (French Nuclear Security and Transparency Act), lessons learned from experience feed- and not a fi rst-off plant unit for industrial Inventory of simulation back from the authorization and tech- deployment, software nical examination processes for other the need for suffi ciently early validation Alongside efforts to rebuild its SFR exper- projects (EPR, Jules Horowitz reactor), of the key safety issues connected with tise, IRSN has begun to resume research specifi c issues associated with the very SFR technology, and an assessment of on digital simulation applications used in nature of ASTRID which is a prototype R&D areas identified by the industry the past: GERMINAL for the initial state of players involved in the project to achieve the irradiated fuel, SIMMER for generalized significant progress in safety aspects core meltdown and FEUMIX and PULSAR such as core neutronic characteristics, for sodium fi res. residual heat removal in passive mode Validation of the models is in progress, on and in-service inspection. the basis of the results of recent experi- The conclusions of this analysis and the mental programs. IRSN is in the process related proposals were submitted to ASN. of defi ning a strategy for developing next- generation software. IRSN research strategy This work draws on all the knowledge concerning sodium-cooled fast acquired on SFRs through operation, stud- reactors ies and R&D. It also makes use of software In 2010, IRSN continued work to restore applications developed for modeling PWR its expertise in the area of SFRs in prepara- accidents, particularly for determining the tion for the safety assessments that will be type and quantity of radioactive substances required for the ASTRID project. Summary liable to be released to the environment in documents were produced by building on the event of an accident. the experience gained from projects developed in France and abroad between the 1970s and 1990s. This work led to an initial identifi cation of theoretical and experimental R&D requirements, in connection with international projects like OECD’s working group on Schematic illustration of the Astrid experimental facilities for advanced reac- reactor. tors (TAREF and ADRIANA) under FP7.

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Deep geological waste. Detailed geological reconnaissance “Dossier 2009” is an intermediate report repositories for nuclear techniques will be used in this zone. on the high-level and intermediate-level waste Overall, IRSN considered that the criteria long-lived waste repository project, sub- The work carried out by IRSN in this fi eld adopted by ANDRA were appropriate from mitted before the next milestones defi ned seeks to improve understanding and acquire the safety perspective. It did draw attention, by law. the skills and tools required in time to assess however, to the fact that damage to the Based on IRSN’s report, the advisory group the deep geological repositories for nuclear host rock during excavation could increase concluded that Andra’s safety approach is waste planned for the future. with depth, bearing in mind that some satisfactory, but that some safety-related areas of the detailed reconnaissance zone aspects of repository operation should be Assessment of a zone of interest are deeper than the underground labora- developed further for license application. for detailed reconnaissance tory. It might be necessary to adapt the This mainly concerns risks associated with In 2010, IRSN examined the criteria adopted design of repository structures to take into simultaneous activities related to construc- by Andra for choosing a 30 km2 zone of account the effects of siting the repository tion and nuclear operation in the under- interest for detailed reconnaissance close to at a greater depth than that studied until ground facility, containment, measures for its underground laboratory in Bure the east now. radioactive materials, and fi re hazard. The of France. ANDRA considers the selected need for supporting evidence regarding zone particularly appropriate for siting the Geological disposal facilities for the performance of the sealing concepts underground installations of a geological high- and intermediate-level designed to guarantee the leaktightness repository for high- and intermediate-level long-lived waste of the large repository structures was also long-lived waste, required by the French Act On November 29, 2010 IRSN presented its highlighted. Based on the assumption that of June 28, 2006, relative to the sustainable assessment of ANDRA’s “Dossier 2009” to the repository will be built in several stages, management of radioactive materials and the relevant ASN standing advisory group. the Institute also recommended that Andra

IRSN examined the criteria adopted by Andra for choosing a zone of interest for detailed reconnaissance (ZIRA) close to its underground laboratory at Bure in the east of France.

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External hydraulic Upstream Swelling Downstream instrumentation ACTIVITIES Upstream confinement clay confinement system Downstream (flow rate/pressure) tank system core (removable) tank External mechanical instrumentation (stress/displacement)

Φ = 60 cm Instrumentation inside core

Downhole North Entrance Upstream Downstream packer saturation system saturation system

Tunnel Secondary fault

East Gallery - 1996

North Gallery - 2008

West

Gallery - 1996 West Gallery - 2008 Tunnel East SEALEX project: N Main fault schematic Gallery - 2003 diagram and South Gallery - 2008 South Entrance Niche - 2008 location of in situ Location of the 7 tests 10 m tests in the tunnel 10 m 0 West at the Tournemire

Gallery - 2003 site. 10 m

specify the construction phases, prior to MORE ABOUT which an updated version of the facility safety demonstration will be submitted. A delegation of the French national assessment board at Tournemire First SEALEX experiments The fi rst test setup was completed in 2010 In June 2010, the national assessment board visited IRSN’s for the SEALEX project on the performance experimental station in Tournemire in southern France. of clay seals in a repository for high- and In the assessment report published after its visit, it stated “... the intermediate-level long-lived waste and the Board is highly impressed with the scientifi c and technical activity related studies and research began. of the Tournemire experimental station. It contributes to IRSN’s Launched early in 2009 to meet IRSN’s assessment capabilities. […]” The Board underlined the quality of assessment requirements, SEALEX the activities carried out to enhance geological repository safety. will involve in situ experiments at the Furthermore, IRSN researchers also welcomed the local Tournemire experimental station in south- information and oversight committee of the Andra underground ern France aimed at quantifying the chief laboratory in Bure in eastern France, refl ecting IRSN’s desire to factors that control the long-term hydraulic open up to society. performance of clay seals. Within this context, a dissertation study was launched in association with the Ecole des Ponts Paris Tech to characterize the long-term behavior of swelling materials used for sealing purposes. The goal is to improve the reliability and relevance of future simulations required for assessing the long-term performance of these materials. The first of seven in situ test setups was successfully installed in December 2010. The remaining test set- IRSN studies the long-term strength and performance of ups are planned over a period of several seals in the tunnel at its experimental station in Tournemire years. in south-central France.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 59

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SECURITY – NON-PROLIFERATION Advancing the cause of nuclear safety in France and around the world

IRSN, and in particular its Nuclear Defense Expertise Division (DEND), contributes to national and international efforts to control nuclear and sensitive materials and protect facilities against malicious acts. The Institute took part in reviewing regulatory texts in both these areas in 2010. Regarding the control of nuclear and sensitive materials, it continued to carry out its tasks of examining ﬁ les and escorting inspection teams. Concerning the prevention of malicious acts, the Institute worked on organizing emergency exercises to gain a better understanding of how nuclear safety and nuclear security come together. It also worked on procedures for organizing nuclear security training on a European – or even a broader international – level.

rials inspectors”, are mandated by the Senior Defense and Security Offi cial to conduct inspections at facilities holding nuclear materials. In 2010, these experts performed 96 facility inspections, two in reaction to specifi c circumstances: one at the Tricastin plant in the lower Rhone valley and the other at the Gravelines plant in the north. During 2010, the inspection effort focused more particularly on systems for receiving and shipping nuclear materials. Inspections also concerned: controlling access to nuclear materials and sites; remote monitoring and periodic testing IRSN tests the performance of radioactive material detection barriers. of physical protection systems; implementation of measures applicable to annual physical inventories. Protection and control Several local exercises were carried out, of nuclear and sensitive some at night, with nuclear materials materials inspectors standing by to observe how local security forces implement the procedures Protection of nuclear materials and emergency instructions prepared by at facilities plant operators. In 2010, IRSN examined 242 fi les at the In 2010, IRSN procured physical protec- request of Senior Defense and Security tion equipment for test purposes. Testing Official (HFDS) from the Ministry of covered biometric access control systems, Energy, the authority in charge of nuclear detection barriers and infrared detectors. material protection and control. Tests were also conducted on a laser scan- Furthermore, experts from the Institute, ning digitizer. This device is used to construct officially appointed as “nuclear mate- a 3D image of a facility and to identify any

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IRSN Transport Operations: monitoring a shipment at the Command Post at the Prefecture in Metz.

changes that have occurred by comparing The Order is part of the work underway on two pictures taken at different times. Tests nuclear security regulations, in which IRSN were carried out at Areva’s Pierrelatte site plays an important part. in southern France in October. In 2010, IRSN processed 65 requests for The purpose of the study was to assess the technical notices on the physical protection advantages of using this type of system of nuclear material transport. This involved to control nearly static nuclear material analyzing transport plans, applications stocks. for transport permits, or applications for approval of transport methods. Protecting nuclear materials IRSN helped prepare about 1,000 accom- during transport 152 plished domestic shipments in 2010 with inspections The year 2010 was marked by the publi- involving nothing notable to mention. The Institute cation and implementation of the Order nuclear material also monitored international shipments of August 18, 2010 on the protection and control. which were sometimes sensitive from a control of nuclear materials in transport (171 in 2009) public relations perspective, such as the (excluding nuclear deterrent materials). export of MOX fuel or returning vitriﬁ ed This text delegates the powers of the waste to Germany packaged at La Hague Minister in charge of national transport in Normandy. For the ﬁ rst time, part of of nuclear materials, a key position, to the IRSN Transport Operations Center went IRSN deputy director general. out to the regional Command Posts set up Assisted by IRSN Transport Operations by the authorities to help them geographi- Center, he is responsible for managing cally locate the shipments in real time and nuclear materials transport, processing provide better communication between applications to authorize transport, moni- the authorities’ command posts and IRSN toring shipments and sending prior notice Transport Operations Center at Fontenay- of shipments to the relevant authorities. aux-Roses near Paris.

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In 2010, 46 inspections were performed involved and explains how to apply for on nuclear material during transport and protection. A presentation was given at the 18 were performed on approved transpor- international PATRAM 2010 symposium. tation equipment. These inspections covered all means of transport – road, rail, sea Nuclear material monitoring and air – but with a special focus on road and accounting vehicles. In terms of centralized accounting, in 2010 In 2010 IRSN defi ned a new list of road IRSN carried out IT development work transport routes for nuclear material with needed to upgrade the remote link used a cartographical description and detailed to transmit accounting operations declar- road maps. The list was sent out to all ing nuclear material stock changes by the authorities and users affected by the routes. main nuclear operators. This major IT activ- 8 Finally, a procedures manual is being pre- ity was also highlighted by real-world scale inspections pared on the protection of nuclear material testing of the new Ar Men control software conducted in and radioactive sources transport including which is in its fi nal acceptance phase. facilities under the “declaration” protection against theft and sabotage. The In 2010, the public authorities decided to regime. manual provides background information separate accounting for nuclear materials (12 in 2009) on regulations, defi nes the roles of those used for the deterrent policy from accounting for other nuclear materials. The Institute studied the advantages and drawbacks of doing this in a document sent to the relevant authorities and contributed to preparing protocols and agreements for carrying this out.

Nuclear material inventory control in an emergency At the request of the authorities, IRSN regu- IN THE WORDS OF… larly organizes emergency situation inventory control exercises for nuclear material Deputy Director of Arms Control Jacques Raharinaivo, at a facility. The purpose of the exercises is and the OSCE at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs who is to test decision making chains as well as the responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) coordination of those involved (operators, public authorities and so on). From May 2010 to April 2011, The exercises entail carrying out a nuclear France holds the Presidency of material inventory at one or more facili- the OPCW Executive Council ties within a few hours to confi rm or rule and will have to prepare the out the existence of any malicious acts, destruction of all chemical such as theft or misuse of nuclear materi- weapons by April 2012. als, or acts of sabotage. During 2010 the The deadline is not without Institute managed an exercise involving the its problems for some CEA ATALANTE facility at Marcoule and the countries. In this situation CEA LECA STAR facility at Cadarache, both it will be all the more in the south of France, as well as a readying important to be able to rely exercise for the nuclear material emergency on an organization like IRSN room in the IRSN Emergency Response “IRSN provided us with whose expertise, reliability Center. Fifteen exercises of this type, usu- their expertise to and availability have been ally scheduled on an almost annual basis, implement the Chemical widely demonstrated.” have already been performed. They enable Weapons Convention the emergency procedures used the main in France. We need its French nuclear operators to be tested. capabilities to analyze technical issues to do with International non-proliferation the implementation of inspections the Convention. This covers International inspections general negotiations but in the chemical fi eld also all the specifi c issues, In 2010, IRSN supported seven inspec- particularly chemical site tions conducted by the Organization for inspections which are how the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons the CWC is physically (OPCW) on the French chemical indus- implemented. try. The inspections concluded that France

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is complying with terms of the Chemical ACTIVITÉS ACTIVITÉS Weapons Convention (CWC). The Institute also produced the two annual declarations for activities carried out in 2009 and those scheduled for 2011 for more than 120 French chemical sites. These declarations were sent to the OPCW within the time limits laid down by the Convention. IRSN carried out a major update to the declaration manuals used by industry to incorporate changes in some of the declaration procedures and to some declaration thresholds. The update also included a description of how to use the IODA Internet portal used by a very large number of companies. The Institute provided technical support to the Ministry of Industry to modify regulations to incorporate OPCW decisions and to clarify various measures to do with challenge inspections. Regarding the latter point, IRSN also provided the French authorities with a set of detailed emergency instructions which were reviewed and validated by the relevant ministries and by an industrial operator in December 2010. Bilateral negotiations initiated with OPCW in 2009 on the use by its inspectors of encrypted USB keys continued in 2010 with The declaration manual International inspections IRSN involvement to defi ne procedures for for industry was updated. in the nuclear fi eld checking data collected by inspectors. In 2010 IRSN supported 52 international inspections performed by Euratom and the IAEA, roughly the same number as in 2009. The Institute carried out signifi cant targeted work supporting inspections at certain facilities affected by changes in accounting breakdowns and inspection procedures. IRSN produced a new version of the nuclear material import and export noti- fi cation manual and made it available to operators and the Ministries concerned. This incorporates all the latest regulatory developments and information on how the PIMENT Internet portal operates for declar- ing international nuclear material transfers. The manual was presented to operators in June 2010. In November 2010, IRSN signed a protocol with Areva governing the roles and responsibilities of the different people involved when IRSN sends Euratom accounting reports drawn up by Areva Group facility managers. The Institute provided technical sup- Nuclear material samples for the Euratom inspection. port to the French authorities

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IRSN is involved in IAEA inspections in France. The IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria are pictured here.

as part of a working group on sending Protection against data to Luxembourg and also took part malicious acts 52 in a European Safeguards Research and missions to escort Development Association (ESARDA) work- Regulatory text reviews inspections involving ing group on Euratom audits performed on In 2010 IRSN continued to participate in international nuclear material control. nuclear material accounting and control the review of French regulations on the pro- (54 in 2009) systems. tection and control of nuclear materials, To prepare for 24-hour prior notice, both at facilities and during transportation. “expanded-access” inspections, which This involved the use of signiﬁ cant Institute the IAEA can perform in France under resources both for preparatory work on the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards regulations and preparing presentations Agreements, IRSN was involved in an alert given to operators by the Authority. The phase coordination and response exercise main regulations concerned are as follows: carried out by the French authorities. It an order relating to license applica-

7 also ensured that procedures put in place tion procedures for holders of nuclear missions to escort inspections involving remained operational by carrying out an materials, the chemical weapons internal IRSN exercise on notiﬁ cation for an order specifying the procedures for ban. “expanded access” and advised opera- studying the protection of nuclear materi- (8 in 2009) tors potentially concerned by this type of als and facilities, inspection. an order deﬁ ning the physical protec- IRSN also actively took part in training tion measures to be implemented by the Areva and CEA operators on international licensee, nuclear non-proliferation saveguards. an order on the conditions for approving nuclear material shipment methods.

Facility protection assessment

11 200 On February 12, 2010 during a meet- recorded movements of radioactive sources. ing with the Senior Defense and Security (13 500 in 2009) Ofﬁ cial (HFDS), the French Nuclear Safety

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Authority and the operator, IRSN presented tifying and assessing risks that must be ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

its analysis on incorporating foresee- covered by implementing regulatory and able malicious acts into protection of the organizational measures under a “nuclear MAGENTA facility at the CEA’s Cadarache security regime”. plant. Within the context of relations between IRSN and its Japanese counterpart JNES, a IRSN organization in the event meeting was held from November 20 to 22 of a radiological emergency of in Tokyo on the security of nuclear materi- malicious origin als and facilities. At the request of the Senior Defense IRSN was also involved in two European and Security Offi cial, IRSN organized the Commission contracts: SERAMA, which fourth “Security Protection and Evaluation covers security of radioactive sources and Exercise”. The purpose of this type of exer- STAR, which addresses management of a cise is to test coordination between nuclear nuclear emergency caused by a serious facility operators, who are responsible for malicious attack. the protection of their sites, and public In addition a communication was pre- authorities, including the Senior Defense sented at the Eurosafe 2010 forum in and Security Offi cial, the Prefect, the State the Germany city of Cologne on a safety Prosecutor, and local and national police emergency exercise caused by a malicious forces. The preparatory work for the exer- event. The exercise was the fi rst of its type cise with the different entities involved performed in France and provided many continued throughout the year in several useful lessons. working groups led by the Institute. The exercise itself was performed during the night of November 3 and 4, 2010 at the CEA Saclay center near Paris. Around 300 people were involved for around seven hours. More than a hundred observers and MORE ABOUT evaluators took part and were able to see Security culture seminar the close connection that exists between nuclear safety and nuclear security. From November 16 to 18, 2010, IRSN organized in Paris an IAEA “regional course” on security culture. Intended International activities for a European audience, 26 people took part from In 2010 at the request of the IAEA, IRSN was 17 countries. involved in courses organized in Morocco It covered the part played respectively by the State, on the security of radioactive sources and in organizations involved (nuclear operators), management Kazakhstan on dealing with internal threats. systems and individuals in establishing a security culture The Institute also contributed to a course as well as similarities and differences between safety on physical protection of nuclear facilities and security cultures. in Japan and to organizing an international The course brought together government authority IAEA course in France on security culture. representatives, nuclear facility operators and representatives IRSN security experts were involved in a from the police services. training course for future IAEA physical Discussions highlighted an improved understanding of protection trainers, which took place in the concept compared with the fi rst courses held by Slovenia. the IAEA in this area a few years ago. IRSN also took part in working groups organized by the IAEA involving: the document defining fundamental security principles, Revision 5 of circular INFCIRC 225, containing recommendations on protection of nuclear materials and facilities, the recommendations document on security of radioactive source, the structure of IAEA recommendation documents, the document on recovering out of regulatory control radioactive material, the document on nuclear and radioactive material inspection and accounting, the development of a method for iden- The lecturers of the regional training course on nuclear security culture.

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RADIATION PROTECTION – ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH Improving protection through progress in measurements and knowledge

In 2010, IRSN began upgrading its radiological alert networks, conducted environmental studies to explain the nature and origin of the radioactivity detected in certain regions, and launched a regional radiological report system. It undertook these actions as part of its work to carry out radiological monitoring of the environment and protect both workers and the public from ionizing radiation. The Institute also conducted surveys to assess occupational, public and environmental exposure following radiological incidents, and made signiﬁ cant progress in radioecology in securing EC funding for STAR, a network of excellence in which it is a prominent player. Also in 2010, to increase awareness of the health effects of chronic exposure to low-level radiation, the Institute assumed chairmanship of MELODI, an initiative which brings together the chief European radiation protection institutions. Finally, in the medical sector, IRSN continued researching new radiotherapy and data collection techniques for the optimization of patient exposure.

ﬁ rst new-generation probes were received In addition to the existing functions, this ENVIRONMENTAL and tested, and the new SPARTE remote system enables real-time collection of AND POPULATION alarm supervision system entered the pro- data from EDF gamma ray measurement EXPOSURE duction phase. probes. Designed using a standard software

Environmental monitoring IRSN’s is responsible for performing radiological monitoring throughout France. For 171 this purpose, the Institute has monitoring radiation monitors in the networks that make use of advanced tech- national remote nology and implement equipment that is monitoring currently being upgraded. network (including Upgrading the Teleray 164 Teleray). radiological alert network (191 in 2009) In 2010, IRSN launched an initiative to renovate its radiological alert networks, particularly its Teleray network, in order to update the aging technologies that have been used on these networks for the past 20 years. The Institute chose a secure, proprietary ADSL data transmission system, along with the operator to handle data routing. The Testing a “Teleray” new-generation beacon.

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package, SPARTE automatically manages torate for competition, consumer rights, Environmental studies ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

alert thresholds, checks data integrity, trig- and protection against fraud (DGCCRF), IRSN conducts in-depth studies to learn gers alert messages and transmits its data IRSN provides them with technical train- more about and account for the origin to emergency response players in France ing to develop their skills and know-how. of the radioactivity observed in certain and Europe. With a probe in each of the In 2010, it set up a training course on the regions. French administrative departments, the use of gamma spectrometry for measur- new Teleray network will provide uniform ing radioactivity in foodstuffs. The course Setting up a regional coverage of the entire country. Additional comprises two modules including the theo- radiological reporting system probes will be installed for enhanced cover- retical bases of gamma spectrometry and In 2010, IRSN completed its pilot study for age of measurement points within a perim- practical exercises involving simulation the regional radiological reporting system eter of up to 30 kilometers around nuclear scenarios. It gives trainees the chance to in the Loire Valley region. Regional radiolog- facilities, outside the 10 km radius covered come into contact with the Institute’s radi- ical reports cover an extensive geographi- by each plant operator’s own systems. By ation measurement experts and to acquire cal area in which several nuclear facilities 2015, IRSN expects to be equipped with practical tools that can be directly applied are located, and set out to provide up-to- approximately 420 Teleray probes, up from in their laboratories and possibly used in date reference data on radioactivity levels 163 in 2010. testing environmental or food samples in in a wide variety of samples, particularly accident situations. foodstuffs. In the event of emergency, this Training - a part of IRSN’s role as In connection with its national reference type of information can provide valuable a leading national laboratory laboratory status, IRSN also organizes labo- indicators of activity levels existing prior As a “national reference laboratory” (LNR) ratory proﬁ ciency testing on the measure- to an accident. The study, carried out in for the laboratories of the French general ment of test specimens representative of the Loire Valley, tested the feasibility of directorate for food safety (DGAL) and direc- environmental or agri-food samples. the approach, which has since been

MORE ABOUT The OPERA network is called on to monitor radioactivity in the air

In 2010, due to two unusual events outside the forest ﬁ res in areas contaminated by France, large amounts of particles containing radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident traces of radioactivity were released to the (artiﬁ cial radioactivity). The public authorities atmosphere: ash from the Icelandic volcano asked IRSN to assess the environmental impact Eyjafjöll (natural radioactivity) and ash from of these two events in France.

Using the most advanced stations in its atmospheric radioactivity monitoring network (OPERA-Air network) and its highly sensitive radioactivity measurement facilities, IRSN was able to demonstrate that the events had induced no signiﬁ cant change in the concentration of particles in the air – measured at ground level – thereby ruling out any radiological hazard to the environment and, more importantly, public health. The Institute was also actively involved in answering the many questions from the press and providing information for the public. www.irsn.fr

IRSN’s OPERA-Air network: a very high-flow aerosol collector in Dijon.

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extended to the Rhone Valley, Northeast, tree leaves, milk, salad vegetables, fi sh, and Southwest and Mediterranean regions. seaweed are collected for comparison with 900 These reports, which come under IRSN’s national data. ambient dose rate revised environmental monitoring strat- measurement points. egy, begin by analyzing earlier results, and Information on radioactivity (900 in 2009) then complete and update this informa- around the Bure site tion using samples pre-selected according On October 5, 2010, IRSN and the French to a statistical ranking of produce, on the national radioactive waste management regional, then local level. Working mainly agency (Andra) signed a partnership through local information committees agreement to study surface environment (CLI), local contacts help adjust the choice radiation levels in the area around the of foodstuffs. In addition to samples of underground research laboratory in Bure, local produce, standard samples such as in eastern France, operated by Andra. This initiative seeks to determine the ori- gins and concentrations of the radionuclides under study, by reviewing existing reports and analyzing samples from all compartments of the environment (air, INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY rainwater, soil, suspended solids and sediments in streams and rivers, and plants and Monitoring the South animals). Pacifi c: IRSN joins the GOPS The study will provide a baseline for environmental monitoring in the area, which will begin while the site is in operation, and continue for at least a century after On March 19, 2010, IRSN became one of 14 French institutions closure. The Institute uses the area around making up GOPS, a major observatory set up to monitor the Bure for its radioecology research. The area environment and marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the will provide data for the radiological report South Pacifi c. The various members of the observatory collaborate on the Northeast region that IRSN began in in the areas of research, training, experimentation and innovation, 2010 as part of its environmental monitor- basing their work on long-term observation and monitoring of ing activities. the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity affected both by environmental changes and pressures from human activity. Study on the origin of uranium in the ground water at Tricastin The fi ndings of the environmental radioactivity monitoring From January 2009 to May 2010, in partner- network obtained by the IRSN laboratory based in Tahiti will be fed ship with the Vaucluse and Drôme regional into a database. Also selected by GOPS as a priority project is the health agencies and Areva, IRSN conducted monitoring network for multi-pollutants (chemical and radiological) a study to determine the reasons for the in lagoons in the archipelagos of French Polynesia, co-developed by high uranium content found locally in the IRSN with the French research institute for exploration of the sea ground water at the Tricastin nuclear site in (IFREMER) and national center for scientifi c research (CNRS). the Rhône valley. Several Institute departments worked on the study, which required expertise in a variety of fi elds (geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, metrology of stable and radioactive elements, etc.). The study’s content and progress was discussed with members of the site’s local information committee (CLIGEET). Reports on the fi ndings were submitted to this committee, and a public meeting to present the results of the study was held in Pierrelatte on September 22, 2010. The study provided clearer understanding of the behavior of the ground water in the area, as well as a detailed map of uranium content. Fewer than 1.5 % of the measurement points contained levels above the WHO guide values for drinking water Involved in environmental monitoring in French Polynesia (15 μg/l). The points where content levels for 50 years, IRSN will bring precious radiological knowledge exceed 5 μg/l are distributed between two of the region to the GOPS. areas: south of Tricastin, in Bollène, and

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IRSN is studying the reasons for the high uranium content found locally in the ground water to the south of the Tricastin site.

southwest in the village of Lapalud. Three potential in geological formations. They Analyzing radiological hypotheses were considered to explain the provide information on the areas most incidents cause of the higher concentrations: 1) the likely to present a risk of high radon con- IRSN uses its know-how to assess occupa- presence of a geological formation that is centrations in buildings, and specify areas tional, public and environmental exposure particularly rich in uranium; 2) the result where investigations and in situ measure- in the event of radiological incidents involv- of non-nuclear anthropogenic activities ments would be most useful. ing the dispersion of radioactive particles. (use of ash, clinker and fertilizers); and 3) Regulations on radon risks require radon past or current activities on the Tricastin gas testing in certain buildings open to the Tritium contamination due to nuclear site. For the area to the southwest, public and workplaces in designated “prior- incidents the consensus was that the higher content ity” areas. The boundaries of these areas Following the use of a molecular sieve can be explained by geological reasons. For currently coincide with the borders of the provided by the CEA and which, after the the area to the south, IRSN’s view, based on administrative départements. In practice, event, was found to contain tritium, a build- hydrogeological modeling, is that chronic 31 such départements are considered as ing belonging to 2M Process in Saint-Maur- pollution and past pollution associated with priority areas. As ASN is not entirely sat- des-Fossés, near Paris, was contaminated, nuclear activities is the most likely cause. isfied with this breakdown, however, it as were members of the company’s staff. www.irsn.fr asked IRSN to create more precise maps As a result of this contamination, tritium of radon potential in soils. The method cho- was found in the immediate vicinity of the sen for this task consisted in determining building in question. RADON the capacity of geological formations to Since November 4, 2010, at the request of produce radon and facilitate its transfer to ASN, IRSN has conducted various analyses Map of radon potential in soils the surface. The maps obtained can be used of the contamination of 2M Process prem- After two years of work based on the analy- to observe overall radon potential trends ises, adjacent buildings and the surrounding sis of available geological data, IRSN submit- in the areas concerned and as a guide for area. It has also assessed the doses received ted its radon potential maps to the French radon risk management policies. They do by the personnel working on the premises nuclear safety authority (ASN). These local not, however, serve any forecasting purpose and by local residents. Its investigations and regional maps (scale 1:1,000,000) cover and on no account can they be considered have also identiﬁ ed traces of tritium on metropolitan France and distinguish three as a substitute for radon concentration esti- another site, in Bondouﬂ e (south of Paris), levels (low, medium and high) of radon mations based on measurements. where the contaminated molecular

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635 sieve was used for similar tests before being 600 600 ure to apply all the safety rules associated transferred to Saint-Maur. In November and with this activity. Another contributing fac- December, IRSN took weekly air, water and tor was the lack of instructions for using plant samples from the area around the 2M the detection equipment. For IRSN, some Process site in order to map the range of important lessons can be learned from its tritium contamination and track its evolu- analysis of the incident to help improve tion over time. radiation protection during industrial radi- Over this period, eight information notices 2008 2009 2010 ography operations, including those not were published, and the Institute took part connected with nuclear power plants. Number of in three public meetings organized by the www.irsn.fr sampling points local authorities in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés for radioactivity to present the measurement results and monitoring explain the risks for the population. throughout www.irsn.fr France.

Incident at the Feursmétal plant At the request of Cegelec and Feursmetal, a company located in Feurs in central France, IRSN carried out an operation using robotic equipment to retrieve a high-level cobalt-60 source that was trapped in a gamma ray source in one of the plant’s workshops. The radioactive source in question was damaged during the operation, leading to the accidental dispersion of cobalt-60 particles. As a result, the workshop in question was contaminated, as were the six people present during the operation. The doses received, however, were low. At Feursmétal’s request, IRSN analyzed the dispersion of radioactivity in the workshop where the incident occurred as well as its immediate surroundings. It also helped Feursmétal deﬁ ne and implement an action plan aimed at securing the contaminated facilities and decontaminating the equipment required for its industrial activities. www.irsn.fr

Industrial radiography incident on the Flamanville site In 2010, IRSN analyzed an incident that occurred in 2009 during an industrial radiography operation at the Flamanville site in Normandy. A radiology worker was acci- dentally exposed to ionizing radiation when he misinterpreted a co-worker’s gesture and entered the room where the work was being carried out, before the radioactive source was set to the safe position. In a matter of seconds, he received a quarter of the annual regulatory dose IRSN’s analysis of the incident showed that multiple lines of defense had failed. In this particular case, a radiographic operation was being resumed after a period of intense work, following ﬁ ve nights of work and on the last day of the job. The resulting loss of diligence and alert- ness contributed to the radiologists’ fail- Proper warning signs must be used for all industrial radiography operations.

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Main building of the former Orflam-Plast plant in Pargny-sur-Saulx Radiological pollution map of site. in eastern France.

Polluted sites and soils radioactive gas in the building. Finally, trees radioelement was used for medical or tradi- At the request of the public authorities and near the former laboratory of the isotope tional small-scale industrial activities (such plant operators, IRSN conducts studies to manufacturer Isotopchim in Ganagobie, as watch making) during the fi rst half of the assess the industrial pollution of certain in southeast France, were contaminated 20th century. When IRSN’s surveys shows sites. by carbon-14 released by the company that radium is present, a series of additional from1989 to 1997. At the request of ASN, measures are carried out to determine the Managing polluted sites IRSN assessed the doses that could be exact levels of radioactive pollution and In 2010, IRSN conducted analyses areas of released as a result of this contamination in assess the residents’ exposure to ionizing La Gravière pond and the poplar plantation the event of forest fi re, use of the wood for radiation. Andra then steps in to defi ne a in Pargny-sur-Saulx in eastern France, at fuel, or composting, etc. The results of the cleanup program, where necessary. IRSN is the request of the French national advisory analysis, based on very conservative sce- tasked with conducting the fi nal diagnos- committee for public funding in the fi eld narios, were presented at a public meeting tic tests after cleanup to ensure that the of radioactivity (CNAR). These analyses fol- in Ganagobie in 2010. They show that the pollution has been thoroughly eliminated. lowed cleanup operations coordinated by radiological risk to local residents of leaving During the last quarter of 2010, the Institute Andra after areas of soil contaminated with the trees in place is extremely low. carried out diagnostic tests on six different radioactive elements from the thorium-232 www.irsn.fr sites (buildings, detached houses, shops, family were discovered in 2009 around the etc.), revealing the presence of radium, at former Orfl am-Plast plant. IRSN participation in radium least in certain facilities. Scheduled over Also in 2009, radiological investigations diagnostics period of three years, the operation will conducted on Ile-Saint-Denis near Paris At the request of ASN and the Minister for cover more than 130 sites across France, revealed the presence of signifi cant radon the Environment, IRSN helped prepare and including 84 in Île-de-France. concentration levels in a building adjacent carry out the national radium diagnostics to the site of the Satchi company’s for- operation in the Île-de-France region around Former mining sites: GEP Mines mer radium extraction plant. A study of Paris as soon as it was launched in October recommendations the site, conducted by IRSN in 2010 at the 2010. The operation is aimed at detecting In September 2010, after more than three site manager’s request, provided valuable and treating cases of radium pollution in years of work in which IRSN played a insight into the entry and transfer of this residential and business areas where this significant role, the joint expert

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group (GEP) on uranium mining sites in dations aimed at continuing the action the Limousin region, in central France, already underway and defining a long- 20,414 submitted its ﬁ nal report to the Minister term management strategy. For example, samples taken from the environment of Sustainable Development and the it recommended defining terms for the for radiological measurements. (28,000 in 2009) Chairman of ASN. This initiative is based on transfer of responsibility for the sites to a transparent, cross-disciplinary approach the Government, optimizing environmen- that will ultimately provide an overview of tal monitoring, and increasing awareness the impact of uranium mining in France. and involvement among local stakeholders. The work involved some thirty experts It also recommended conducting research from a variety of ﬁ elds and backgrounds. to gain better insight into how waste from The Institute worked on aspects relating former mines and mine tailings disposal to radon, the environmental transfer of facilities will change over time, measur- uranium and its decay products, and risk ing the toxicity of released substances for assessment for humans and ecosystems. ecosystems more accurately, and obtaining As a result, the GEP issued 15 recommen- a better grasp of what causes uranium to build up in sediments. www.irsn.fr

Securing abandoned uranium mines In 2010, at the request of the Minister for the Environment, the regional directorates for the environment, town and country IN THE WORDS OF… planning and housing (DREAL) surveyed some fi fteen abandoned or “orphan” ura- Pierre Barbey, scientifi c advisor for ACRO, the association nium mines in France. In some cases, there for radioactivity control in western France, member of the joint expert is either no organization managing the group (GEP) on uranium mines in Limousin mine, or else the manager has defaulted, in which case, the Government assumes mining activities. The debate responsibility. on this complex issue is In this framework, IRSN, Andra, the French long and arduous. But this geological survey (BRGM) and Geoderis work was constructive, and have been jointly assigned the task of comparing [these different examining the mining and radiological risks views] allowed us to move associated with the sites in question. The forward and meet some of fi rst step was to compile the data in the the population’s expectations. possession of sites and create a consoli- By bringing together a dated list of the sites. The second step was range of multidisciplinary to perform diagnostic tests on 14 identifi ed skills and through our many sites (nine in Auvergne, fi ve in Limousin). discussions, we were able to Based on fi eld investigations conducted by reach a certain consensus, Geoderis and IRSN with the help of the even though each individual DREALs, these diagnostic tests identifi ed “As with any team effort, may of course have his or her the sites that needed to be secured. Based participation in a joint own views on the Group’s on this data, action proposals complete expert group implies many recommendations. The with forecast budget and timeline infor- confrontations due to fi nal report provides some mation have been presented to the Minister differences of opinion important data that is sure to for the Environment. and motivation! be useful to the supervisory It requires lengthy discussions, authorities for the sustainable sometimes using terms that management of mining sites may seem simple but which in Limousin and throughout can mean very different France.” things for an operator or association. Another problem is to do with the actual subject matter as we must consider the combination of natural radioactivity around the mines and the radioactivity resulting from

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Radioecology ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

IRSN is conducting research in order to expand its knowledge in the ﬁ eld of dispersion and transfer of radioactive materials in atmospheric, terrestrial and marine environments.

Experimental validation of atmospheric dispersion models Until now, most of the experimental campaigns of this type have concentrated on low-level release on terrain with a simple topography and observations were in the near fi eld. To be able to work in environments closer to reality, the Institute has developed orig- inal experimental techniques for tracing, sampling and measuring within air masses. In 2010, it embarked on experimental studies of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants for Areva NC and TOTAL. The lessons drawn from these studies highlight the fact that while some processes or parameters can be generalized to apply to all types of sites, others are specifi c to a particular site. This confi rms that models used for operational or research purposes to predict atmospheric dispersion of pollutants require experimental validation on the sites where they will be used, especially if the site is “complex” (presence of buildings, relief, release at heights).

Behavior of selenium in “unsaturated” soil layers After several years of research in collaboration with Andra on the behavior of selenium in the soil-plant-atmosphere system, IRSN was able in 2010 to quantify the main dispersion pathways of this element into the different surface soil components. In the event of loss of confi nement integrity at a geological repository for radioac- Preparing IRSN’s captive balloon for high-altitude tracer gas measurements. tive waste, some of the radionuclides found there could be released to the biosphere, thus contributing to the dosimetric impact of the facility. Of the different radionuclides released, and according to the various sce- tion states of selenium, its chemical form, active liquid and gaseous effl uent release narios studied, selenium-79 would be one the mineralogical and organic soil quality, from the Chinon power plant in the Loire of the key factors in this impact. and the intensity of the microbiological valley between 2004 and 2008, under The studies carried out by IRSN and Andra activity of the soil. Integration of this new normal operating conditions. The aim of were used to build a new model to illus- model into the SYMBIOSE platform, used this exercise, carried out by IRSN on its trate the behavior of selenium, taking into to model transfers of radionuclides in the SYMBIOSE platform in collaboration with account the exchanges between selenium biosphere, seeks to improve predictions of EDF, was to test the feasibility of a full- and the soil components, while consider- selenium distribution in soil in the short scale study, assess the platform’s opera- ing the varying kinetic rates involved. This and medium term. tional limits and learn lessons relating to model helps explain the changes in the methodology and calculation. Calculations behavior of selenium, in the soil, in the Testing modeling tools for a took into account the specifi c features of short and medium term. Much of 2010 real-life case study the area within a radius of 5 km around the was spent determining the main param- In 2010, IRSN’s modeling tools were tested plant. They also made use of data includ- eters of the model, based on the oxida- by assessing the dosimetric impact of radio- ing specifi c features of the site, such

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as actual radioactive gaseous and liquid from the leaves to the parts of plants used release, meteorological and hydro-sedi- for food. mentary measurement series, agricultural Led by IRSN in collaboration with Andra, practices, food intake and lifestyle of the the project is designed to experimentally population. Simulation of the variation in determine factors governing the trans- radioactivity in the environment over space fer – or translocation – of chlorine-36, and time made it possible to estimate the iodine-129 and selenium-79 to edible parts doses and dose rates received by an adult of the main crop categories (cereals, fruiting rural population as a result of external (irra- vegetables, root vegetables and tubers), fol- diation, deposition) and internal (inhala- lowing contamination of the leaves caused tion, ingestion) exposure. by spray irrigation. The experiments were conducted in open fi elds in the Chernobyl Study of the transfer of exclusion zone by the Ukrainian Institute Simulation of contamination due to of Agricultural Radiology. atmospheric deposition and irrigation: radionuclides to plants grown the 60Co activity levels simulated in cereals in open fi elds The focus of attention in 2010 was on in the dark blue areas are 30 times lower In 2010, the FORTRESS project advanced completing the third growing season and than those in the read areas. knowledge of the transfer of radionuclides processing the results obtained in 2009, which showed low translocation of iodine (up to 2.1%), medium to high translocation of selenium (up to 17%) and very high translocation of chlorine (up to 27%), the values depending on the plant species and the development stage of the plant at the time of contamination. These results will be IN THE WORDS OF… incorporated into the models used in the SYMBIOSE platform for modeling radionu- Thomas Hinton, Department for the Study of Radionuclide clide transfers to the biosphere. Behavior in Ecosystems at IRSN Environmental and health the more motivating. impact of tritium release STAR will take a highly IRSN published six reports in 2010 on the innovative approach to latest research fi ndings on tritium as part radioecology, based on a of the preparatory work for a White Paper, multidisciplinary concept. published by ASN in June 2010. For instance, radioactive, The reports, which are available online, list chemical and biological tritium production sources and describe contaminants will no longer how it tritium is managed by nuclear be studied separately, but facilities. rather in terms of their They also deal with key questions concern- interactions. ing the behavior of tritium in the environ- “The STAR network of This approach gives a more ment, the health risk it poses and, lastly, excellence is part of the realistic picture of the actual its release limits and impact, particularly European Radioecology exposure of organisms in on the marine environment. Alliance, an entity created by the environment. In addition to presenting the current eight European organizations STAR will also contribute information available on tritium, the IRSN conscious of the need to to disseminating knowledge, reports identify three main areas where fur- coordinate research in the enhancing the training of ther research is required to enable a better fi eld of radioecology within young scientists and fostering assessment of the health and environmen- the scope of a joint strategic collaborative research. tal impact of tritium. research agenda. Integrating This initiative will help us to Three main areas are concerned: research conducted by determine the main issues improving measurement techniques to different organizations to be tackled in radioecology reduce the detection limits of tritium in represents both extraordinary over the next 15 to 20 years the environment; progress and a major and to promote effective reaching a better understanding of the challenge! It’s early days yet integrated research, in order behavior of tritium in its different forms, but you can feel that there’s to achieve the objectives set.” particularly tritium bound to organic an incredible determination, molecules in ecosystems; at the highest level, to assessing, under realistic exposure condi- establish a strategic research tions, the biological and health effects of agenda and a road map, tritium on living organisms. which makes the project all www.irsn.fr

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Calculating the health impact Radiation protection in ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

of radioactive release under the workplace normal operating conditions IRSN carries out research and analysis to In 2010, IRSN developed a new tool for gain a better understanding of the exposure assessing the health impact of radioactive of workers to ionizing radiation. release from nuclear facilities under normal operating conditions. Known as CONDOR, Assessment concerning the Port the tool is used in the Institute’s assess- of La Rochelle ment activities, superseding three tools The municipal authorities of the city of La used until now to assess the impact of Rochelle on the west coast of France asked chronic release to the atmosphere, rivers IRSN to assess the radiological impact on and the sea. CONDOR provides integrated workers and the population at large of sedi- and consistent assessments of the three ment dredging operations planned as part types of environment, making use of the of the extension of the marina development latest available models, particularly for the Port des Minimes. The sediment, which rep- impact of tritium release, and a radionu- resents about a million cubic meters, is to clide library that allows it to incorporate be dumped offshore. It is, however, contam- release from the great majority of nuclear inated by industrial discharges containing facilities. Its main advantage is its optimized radioactive material such as thorium. ergonomics, designed to facilitate daily use A sediment coring campaign was car- by experts. ried out and the results analyzed

IRSN assessed the radiological impact on workers and the population at large of dredging works in the port of La Rochelle.

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352 (1) 301 254

2008 2009 2010 Whole-body radiation counts for worker monitoring. (1) 324 ﬁ xed and 28 mobile.

Measurements taken by IRSN at an EDF power plant to characterize neutron exposure at certain work stations.

by IRSN. On the basis of its fi ndings, the chosen for neutron dosimetry. The study in accordance with regulatory provisions, Institute estimated the potential doses for will also help EDF radiation protection staff specifying the conditions for granting workers involved in dredging operations: to interpret the measurements obtained approval of laboratories in charge of per- the calculated maximum effective dose is from different dosimetric systems. sonal dosimetry to monitor the dose of 0.012 mSv. The radiological impact was also workers to ionizing radiation. Within this estimated for the population at large. The Optimization of nuclear worker context, IRSN is tasked with organizing calculated effective dose for the popula- monitoring an intercomparison of results from each tion group of adult professional fi shermen IRSN has conducted research, co-funded by laboratory involved, at least once every who consume large amounts of fi sh or sea- Areva, with a view to optimizing programs three years, to check the quality of dose food is 0.035 mSv per year. These doses to monitor internal contamination of work- measurements. are low and well below the 1 mSv legal ers by examining the uncertainties of dose In all, ten passive dosimetry laboratories maximum yearly exposure limit defi ned for assessment. took part in the exercise and more than 300 populations. This work culminated in 2010 in the devel- dosimeters were irradiated at IRSN refer- opment of software to help occupational ence facilities, in Fontenay-aux-Roses near Work station study at Blayais health physicians set up and assess their Paris for photons, and at the Cadarache nuclear power plant monitoring program for exposed workers. center in southern France for neutrons. The At EDF’s request, IRSN conducted a dosi- In particular, it will allow them not only report on this intercomparison was issued metric and spectrometric study at the to calculate the effective dose but also to at the beginning of 2011. Blayais nuclear power plant site in south- determine, for a given monitoring program, west France in 2010. The aim of the study the minimum detectable dose with a given Epidemiology and was to characterize neutron exposure of confi dence level. This can be used to choose radiotoxicology to characterize personnel at workplaces involved in the the most appropriate program for the type the effects of uranium more removal of a MOX fuel assembly. of exposure considered, striking a balance accurately A week-long measurement campaign was between the sensitivity of the program and In 2010, the conclusions of an epidemio- carried out in June 2010 to define the its cost. Areva is planning to implement this logical study by the Institute revealed an neutron energy distribution and compare solution in the fi eld after conducting tests increased risk of lung cancer after exposure measurements obtained using different jointly with the Institute. to insoluble reprocessed uranium. The tox- dosimeters in the vicinity of transport icity of uranium results from the combina- casks. Intercomparison of passive tion of its chemical properties, as a heavy The results of the study will help EDF to dosimetry laboratories metal, and its radiological properties, as an improve personal dosimetry for workers at In October 2010, IRSN organized the fourth emitter of ionizing radiation. the work stations in question, particularly regulatory intercomparison of passive per- This study therefore assessed the incidence for the new operational dosimeters it has sonal dosemeters. The exercise proceeded of lung cancer in workers as a function of

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IN THE WORDS… ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES 1,372,107 Juliette Feuardent, engineer in the Occupational Exposure personal dosimeters marketed Monitoring and Analysis Unit at IRSN and analyzed. (1,461,614 in 2009) and members of a local information committee, as well as occupational health physicians and radiation exposure to uranium, based on a cohort of protection specialists. It 2,709 workers at the Areva NC Pierrelatte represented the various plant in southern France, who were present fi elds of activity involved. on the site between 1960 and 2005. One of the proposals to For this purpose, work began on reconstruct- emerge from the group’s ing the individual exposure of these work- discussions is that the results ers to six forms of uranium, with different should be presented per fi eld solubility and isotopic composition, using “Every year, IRSN reports on of activity in future; this a job-exposure matrix. This retrospective worker exposure to ionizing would require that the data estimate of workers’ individual exposure radiation. In 2009, the collected should associate was then validated through comparison number of workers monitored information on the workers’ with radiotoxicological measurements on using external passive activity with the workforce a sample of 30 workers. dosimetry reached 319,091 – monitored, according to the Furthermore, a data base completed in 4.1% more than in 2008; the nomenclature of activity 2010, and conducted in collaboration average individual dose was sectors defi ned by IRSN.” with the University of the Mediterranean, found to remain steady. revealed biological markers that can be At the same time, as part of used to determine, for a given isotopic mix- the Institute’s initiative to ture of uranium, which effects on DNA are open up more to society, we associated with the chemotoxic properties formed a joint expert group of uranium, and which with its radiotoxic to improve the structure and properties. These potential markers will presentation of the annual have to be validated using blood samples report on worker radiation taken from workers exposed to uranium. protection. This group brought together employees’ and Dosimetry and metrology employers’ representatives of neutrons As part of Ph. D. Thesis completed in 2010, IRSN has developed a spectrometer designed to measure the energy of neutrons encountered in high-energy radiation fields around particle accelerators (for example in proton therapy in medical applications) or natural cosmic radiation in the atmosphere. After characterizing this system in reference neutron radiation fi elds, on-site tests were performed in 2010, which enabled the entire measuring channel to be characterized. As part of a collaborative ven- ture, measurement campaigns were thus carried out underground and at elevation in the underground low-noise laboratory (CNRS). Under a collaboration agreement with IRSN, the French national aerospace research center (ONERA) acquired the same system to equip an experimental platform dedicated to measuring cosmic radiation, set up at the Midi-Pyrénées Observatory in Toulouse at an altitude of Bonner spheres with metal shells used in the spectrometer for measuring 2,800 meters on the Pic du Midi. high-energy neutrons.

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EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE

The ENVIRHOM program Since 2001, IRSN’s ENVIRHOM program has helped to deepen its understanding of the effects of chronic exposure to ionizing radiation on the environment and human health.

Impact of radionuclides and metals on fi sh DNA In 2010, IRSN carried out research to dis- cover the effect of exposure to gamma radiation and to toxic substances such as cadmium, aluminum, copper and uranium on the DNA of the zebrafi sh (Danio rerio). The zebrafi sh was chosen as the biological model because of its short lifecycle and because its genome has been fully sequenced. The research focused on the characterization of DNA double-strand Laboratory experiment to determine the impact of chronic exposure to uranium breaks – number of breaks and repair time on the DNA of zebrafish (Danio rerio). – which are known to be particularly harmful to cells. In the case of uranium, DNA double-strand centrations in the gonads of this species exposure and chronic exposure. The kinet- breaks and a malfunction in DNA repair exposed to 100 μg/l. ics of DNA repair at the cellular level and mechanisms were observed in vitro in These effects are associated with disruption embryonic development were examined in zebrafi sh embryonic cells, as from an inter- of embryonic development in this species. each of these cases of exposure. nal uranium concentration of 6.8 μg/g, and In addition, a study on exposure to gamma DNA double-strand breaks were also in vivo, as from comparable internal con- radiation compared the effects of acute observed following exposure to common trace metals in the environment (cadmium, aluminum). This research was conducted with support from the French national research agency ANR (HEMI-Breaks project) and in collaboration with EDF. The ultimate aim is to fi nd INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY biomarkers that can be used to monitor Collaboration with ecosystems. the International Interactions between exposure to uranium and treatment with Radioecology Laboratory drugs Ph. D. Thesis completed in 2010 at IRSN What are the effects of chronic exposure to radionuclides aimed to characterize the effects of on biodiversity and the functioning of natural ecosystems? depleted uranium on two organs, both primary targets of uranium: the kidney and the To fi nd some answers to this question, IRSN started three new liver. One of the physiological functions of R&D projects in 2010, in collaboration with the International these organs is to detoxify the body. The Radioecology Laboratory in Ukraine, with the aim of studying the effect of depleted uranium was studied in infl uence of contamination levels. rodents subjected to drug treatment, since The focus is on the decomposition of leaf litter in streams medicines can become toxic if the kidney or and forests, the abundance and diversity of communities of liver are not performing their detoxifi cation nematode-type worms, which are involved in the decomposition function properly. process, and root uptake of radionuclides by plants. Research carried out in vivo showed that This research began with work on selecting the research sites. chronic contamination with doses of A total of 20 experimental plots of land with different levels depleted uranium on a par with the high- of contamination have been selected on the Chernobyl site est levels of uranium found in the environ- in Ukraine and equipment to monitor the decomposition ment does not result in renal toxicity, and of leaf litter has been set up. does not exacerbate renal toxicity induced

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experimentally by the antibiotic gentamicin. MORE ABOUT ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

With regard to the liver, depleted uranium can alter the expression of genes coding for Dosimetric impact and health risks related certain enzymes involved in the metabo- to the use of body scanners at airports lism of xenobiotics (EMXs). This alteration disrupts the metabolism and elimination of The Ministry for the Environment tasked IRSN with assessing a drug like paracetamol, but only when it is the dosimetric impact and health risk of X-ray scanners following administered in doses that are toxic to the the introduction of tighter airport security measures and the planned liver. Results obtained in vitro revealed that use of imaging equipment that is more advanced than the metal the location of depleted uranium in renal or detectors currently in operation. hepatic cells depended on its concentration. Thus, the lowest concentrations of depleted It was found that the effective dose received as a result of a security uranium are found in soluble form in the check using X-ray scanners is equivalent to one or two minutes’ nucleus and the highest concentrations in exposure to cosmic radiation during a high-altitude ﬂ ight, or to about insoluble form in the cytoplasm. 20 minutes’ natural exposure to radioactivity in France. These results provide fresh insight into the Although the calculated dose is very low, IRSN recommends that mechanisms by which uranium enters a cell, the authorities should give priority to other techniques using as well as those involved in the organism’s non-ionizing radiation, which is less aggressive in terms of its detoxiﬁ cation systems. physical properties and biological effects.

European coordination of low dose research In 2010, IRSN stepped up its involvement in an initiative to ensure better European coordination of research activities on the health effects of exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. The same year saw the creation of the MELODI association (Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative), a consortium of fi fteen European research organizations in the fi eld of radiation protection, presided over by IRSN’s Director General. In addition, the second international MELODI workshop, held in Paris in October 2010, brought together more than 200 scientists from all over the world to discuss future low dose radiation research. Jointly organized by IRSN and CEA, the workshop paved the way for the development of the fi rst version of a strategic research agenda, defi ning priority avenues of research over the next 20 to 30 years. Finally, within the framework of the European network of excellence on low dose research, DoReMi, which is MELODI’s operational tool, IRSN organized a scientifi c seminar in December 2010, following which 31 international experts issued recommendations on future research requirements for gaining a better understanding of the vascular effects that may be observed after exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. www.irsn.fr The effects of chronic depleted uranium contamination are studied in organs rat such as the liver and kidney.

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vascularization, as well as the inﬂ amma- tory response of the vascular system, play a key role in early and later radiation-induced toxicity in the intestine. These results helped focus the research program on a single biological model: the endothelial cell.

Exposure to scans in childhood In 2010, IRSN analyzed the initial data collected as part of a study to compare the impact of exposure to scans on the development of cancer and leukemia in a cohort of children with that observed in the general population. The children concerned were exposed before the age of fi ve for a non-cancerous disorder requir- MIRCOM microbeam line prototype developed by the Bordeaux Gradignan Nuclear ing examination by scanner. The study was Research Center in the southwest of France. conducted in association with the French Society of Pediatric and Prenatal Imaging with the support of the National Anti- Cancer League. The incidence of cancer PROTECTION tions. Results obtained in vivo showed that in these children is monitored using the PAI-1 is involved in the radiation-induced national pediatric registers. By the end of IN HEALTHCARE death of endothelial cells, which make up 2010, 19 French university hospitals had blood vessels. In vitro studies confi rm the provided IRSN with information about Ion microbeam: characteristic involvement of PAI-1 in the radiosensitivity scans performed on 30,000 children dur- example of new radiotherapy of endothelial cells. ing the period 2000-2006. The initial data techniques In the second Ph. D. Thesis, tissue samples collected shows that 42% of the children Under a partnership agreement with the taken from patients treated by radiotherapy were less than a year old at the time of Bordeaux Gradignan Nuclear Research for cancer of the rectum revealed that the their fi rst scan, and that they had received Center, IRSN has decided to develop severity of radiation-induced lesions was an average of 1.5 scans A scan of the skull is MIRCOM, an ion microbeam that should correlated to an increase in the number of the most common, accounting for 63% of be coupled to the AMANDE facility. Its origi- certain immune cells, known as mast cells. all scans, followed by the thorax (21%), the nality lies mainly in the variety of ions avail- Furthermore, the harmful role of mast cells abdomen and pelvis (8%) and other parts able (from protons to oxygen) and their and their involvement in radiation-induced of the body (8%). The dosimetric recon- energy levels (up to 10 MeV). MIRCOM will intestinal infl ammation were confi rmed on struction carried out by IRSN revealed that be used to irradiate, with micrometer pre- an experimental model of intestinal infl am- the most exposed organs were the brain cision, cellular or subcellular components mation. All of this research suggests that and the crystalline lens. with a defi ned number of charged particles, the early damage associated with tissue characteristic of the radiation induced by new radiotherapy techniques (proton therapy or hadron therapy, for example). In the field of radiation protection and low doses, MIRCOM will make it possible to study “local” intercellular phenomena in the presence of complex radiation.

How radiation-induced intestinal damage is caused IRSN is developing a research program with the aim of identifying the mechanisms behind complications associated with radiotherapy in order to ﬁ nd therapeutic methods for the prevention and treatment of this type of lesion. Two Ph. D. Thesis, both completed in 2010, helped identify the role of certain biological “agents” in these early and late effects. The first Ph. D. Thesis revealed the key role of a protein, called PAI-1, in trigger- IRSN’s research activities are aimed at learning more about the side effects ing radiation-induced intestinal complica- of radiotherapy.

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The EPOPA project monitors patients who suffered from overexposure during the radiotherapy accident in Epinal.

Monitoring overexposed detect any correlation between certain dosimetric data and real-time comparison patients clinical symptoms, the actual doses deliv- with the national DRLs. At the request of the Ministry of Health, ered to patients and one of the biological Furthermore, as part of efforts to monitor IRSN and AP-HP, the Paris public hospital markers identifi ed. medical exposure of the French population system, are collaborating on the EPOPA connected with imaging examinations for project, which involves clinical and scien- Doing more to optimize patient diagnostic purposes (ExPRI project), IRSN tifi c monitoring of 425 patients who were exposure and the French national institute for health overexposed during radiotherapy at Epinal In October 2010, IRSN published a sum- surveillance (InVS) conducted a survey of Hospital in northeastern France. mary of dosimetric data relating to diag- 50 radiology departments in the public hos- In 2010, a centralized clinical database nostic imaging procedures (radiology, CT pital sector in 2009. The following year, the built after a standardized assessment of scanning, and nuclear medicine) submitted Institute analyzed the dosimetric data col- the severity of the complications of the by health professionals for the period 2007- lected over a week in each department, for patients involved, together with a “bank” 2008. The summary is the second since the all types of X-rays and CT scans performed. of blood samples, were set up for the pur- Order of February 12, 2004, which set up Considerable variation was observed in poses of EPOPA study. Initial results indi- a system establishing national diagnostic the doses delivered for the same type of cate that, to date, 82.5% of patients have reference levels (DRLs) for commonly per- examination and for patients showing developed complications above grade I (on formed diagnostic procedures. Following similar morphologies. The results were also a scale of I to IV). In other words, several analysis of the data collected since 2004, used to compare clinical practices against years after being overexposed, more than IRSN has identifi ed the need and the poten- national reference protocols, from a dosi- 60 patients are still suffering from severe tial for progress in the optimization of metric point of view. Furthermore, based grade III/IV radiation-induced infl amma- patient exposure by adjusting the DRLs. The on the data collected, a dose indicator was tion of the rectum (radiation proctitis). results submitted must allow the nuclear linked with each type of examination per- In the case of 133 patients, the Institute safety authority to defi ne any regulatory formed on adults, and the average doses is currently supplementing this database changes required. In particular, proposals delivered to organs during the examination with details of the assessment of the doses were made to update reference values for were also determined. The average effective actually delivered to organs at risk. certain types of examination, based on doses associated with these examinations Two studies have also been launched IRSN’s analysis of doses delivered during were calculated in order to supplement and focusing on the blood samples collected. radiology procedures and of activity levels update the medical exposure data used in The fi rst is a broad-spectrum (proteomic) administered in nuclear medicine. the ExPRI project which, until now, was analysis, aimed at identifying new biologi- Although it is increasing, there is still plenty estimated from the reference protocols. cal markers for radiation proctitis, which of room for improvement in the report- www.irsn.fr might be able to predict severity. The sec- ing rate of X-ray and CT scan centers. This ond sets out to measure variations in the is detrimental, since centers that are out expression of more than 20,000 genes, of the mainstream do not compare their with the aim of identifying one or more practices against the national references To genes that characterize the most radiosen- improve reporting rates, IRSN has devel- sitive patients. All data collected on these oped an application for health profession- patients undergoes statistical analysis to als to facilitate online registration of their

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EMERGENCY AND POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS IRSN boosts its emergency and long-term response capability

IRSN endeavors to prevent nuclear and radiological accidents and, if such an accident were to occur, to limit the potential impact on human health and the environment. It is in the second area that the Institute is working to improve its emergency response organization – speciﬁ cally to be able to perform reliable measurements and analyses of contamination and exposure in an emergency – and evaluate strategies based on the administration of stable iodine to prevent the risk of thyroid cancer. In 2010, at the request of the public authorities, it was involved in preparing methods for predicting the radiological and dosimetric impact of any post-accident situations and quantifying the contamination of the areas concerned, as well as the doses received by the exposed population. The Institute also pursued its work in developing tools to centralize and provide access to environmental measurements carried out during an emergency, and completed the renovation of its mobile response unit.

Preparing emergency efforts to prepare all its metrology labora- exercises tories to respond in an emergency or post- To enhance its readiness for nuclear emer- accident situation. In this type of situation, gencies, IRSN continues to prepare its labo- samples must be analyzed rapidly, as mea- ratories to perform emergency radioactivity surement results are mainly intended for measurements on samples that exhibit validating the assumptions in the models particularly complex forms of contamina- used to determine the dispersion of radio- tion. External laboratories have also been nuclides in the environment. Wherever pos- invited to take part in this preparation for sible, gamma spectrometry is the preferred the fi rst time. measurement technique. The Institute has also issued recommenda- Through such exercises, the Institute’s tions aimed at standardizing stable iodine laboratories are able to improve their per- prophylaxis in the event of a nuclear reac- formance in complex gamma spectrum tor accident. 3 analysis. actual Exercises opened up to external equipment of Report on stable iodine laboratories the Emergency prophylaxis In 2010, the Hubert Curien Multidisciplinary Response In response to a European Commission call Center. Institute (CNRS) became the fi rst non-IRSN for tenders, IRSN wrote a report in 2010 (4 in 2009) laboratory to take part in a measurement presenting the latest research fi ndings on exercise organized within the metrology the preventive administration of stable network that groups together IRSN’s radio- iodine, as well as a description of current activity measurement laboratories. practices in the European Union, the United In this respect, with the development in States and Japan. 2010 of a specifi c gamma-spectra simu- In the event of a nuclear reactor accident, lation tool capable of simulating realistic radioactive iodine isotopes can be released accident scenarios, IRSN continued its to the atmosphere, exposing the population

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PopulationPopulation protectionprotection zonezone ReinforcedReinforced monitoringmonitoring zonezone

Schematic illustration of post-accident zoning proposed by CODIRPA.

to a risk of thyroid cancer if received doses populations and manage contaminated are large. To minimize this risk, stable iodine areas. tablets can be administered to saturate the The second report deals with the assess- 5 thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine, ment methods and radioactivity measuring national nuclear emergency exercises thus preventing the absorption of radioac- instruments that could be used in a nuclear excluding defense- tive iodine by this organ. post-accident situation, in order to quan- related activities. The fi rst part of the IRSN report is based on tify the area contaminated and the (5 in 2009) a bibliographic review, and the second on a questionnaire completed by the national authorities responsible for radiation protection. The report makes recommendations for harmonizing the various aspects of sta- IN THE WORDS OF… ble iodine prophylaxis (levels of response, administration pathway, dosage, inform- Addil Sellam, radiation protection engineer, RaMsEs Group, Hubert ing the public, communications between Curien Multidisciplinary Institute, UMR 7178 CNRS-University of Strasbourg neighboring countries). reasons. It makes us aware that Work of CODIR-PA carrying out relatively simple IRSN is a member of the post-accident tasks is more complicated under steering committee (CODIR-PA) set up by pressure and in an emergency! the public authorities to prepare the man- It also got us thinking about ways agement of the post-accident phase of a to speed up spectrum processing, nuclear accident. by developing a code or computer program that would do some Radiological and dosimetric of the preparatory work. impact of a post-accident This was a really positive situation experience for us, because Two working groups, led by IRSN as part of it confi rmed our expertise in this the steering committee in charge of man- area and opened up new avenues aging the post-accident phase of a nuclear “In June 2010, our laboratory for improving our processing and accident or radiological event (CODIR-PA), took part in a gamma-spectrum analysis techniques.” submitted their fi nal reports in 2010. analysis intercomparison The first report proposes a method for exercise, organized by IRSN, for making predictive assessments of radio- the fi rst time. This involved three logical and dosimetric impact in a nuclear gamma spectrometry specialists post-accident situation. These assessments from the group interpreting a would be particularly intended for the pub- gamma-ray spectrum within lic authorities responsible for deciding on a limited timeframe. An exercise and implementing measures to protect like this is important for two

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doses received by individuals exposed. The Developing tools two reports supplement the contributions In order to be able to assess the impact of a 6 made by other working groups in which radiological accident on the population and national nuclear IRSN has actively participated. the environment as accurately as possible, emergency exercises Now CODIR-PA is continuing to develop a IRSN is developing modeling tools for its involving national policy for managing a nuclear post- Emergency Response Center and is reno- defense-related accident situation, specifi cally by drawing vating its mobile response unit. facilities. up guidelines for the public authorities and (3 in 2009) stakeholders. In addition to these reports, Centralizing and providing IRSN has compiled: access to environmental a draft national emergency response measurements in an emergency guide, which has been sent to ASN. It A CRITER system prototype was tested has been distributed by ASN and the for the first time during an exercise at Directorate for Civil Security to the pre- Cattenom in northeastern France in April fectures of three pilot areas: Haut-Rhin 2010. Developed by IRSN, this system will for the Fessenheim site, Vienne for the be used to centralize and provide access to Civaux site and Drôme for the Tricastin environmental measurements carried out site. The prefectures in question must in the event of an emergency. To ensure test its operational implementation in consistency and resource-sharing, it incor- their offsite emergency plans and make porates tools developed for the national 8(1) suggestions as to how the guide can be network of environmental radioactivity improved. measurements. a good practices guide for laborato- Based on feedback from fi ve exercises orga- 4 ries measuring radioactivity in a post- nized in 2010, CRITER has been improved 2 accident situation. This document is and is now reliable enough for use on a intended for all radioactivity measure- routine basis at the Institute’s Emergency ment laboratories likely to be called upon Response Center. It effectively meets the 2008 2009 2010 in a post-accident situation. It aims to requirements of the Interministerial Order Dose encourage these laboratories to produce of November 29, 2005 on the performance assessments reliable analysis results within a time- and processing of environmental radioac- by biological frame appropriate for an emergency tivity measurements in the event of an inci- dosimetry. conditions. dent leading to a radiological emergency. (1) 8, including 6 for the Feursmétal incident. www.irsn.fr Under this order, IRSN is responsible for centralizing and processing all analyses, as well as defi ning the format of results and how they are communicated to the various stakeholders (public authorities, ASN, etc.). The CRITER system was also used in 2010 to map out the results of samples taken from the ground water under the Tricastin site in southern France. www.irsn.fr

Completion of renovation work on the IRSN mobile response unit In 2010, IRSN acquired its ﬁ rst two trucks, shelter-type response vehicles as part of its plan to renovate its mobile response units. The vehicles in question are containers equipped with ten whole body counters and a secure satellite communication system. They complete the Institute’s renovated ﬂ eet of mobile response units dedicated to evaluating internal contamination in an emergency, adding to the four small mobile facilities and two large mobile facilities that can be mobilized in the event of radiological CRITER in use at the operational command post during an emergency accidents or malicious acts involving radio- response exercise. active materials for in vivo measurement.

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In 2010, IRSN acquired heavy-duty response vehicles to make up its mobile response facilities.

The shelters can be transported by road, MORE ABOUT rail, sea or air to respond to any emergency. Various qualiﬁ cation tests to improve or OPAL: a mapping tool validate the operation of this new measur- for raising awareness ing facility for measurements have been successfully completed. of post-accident issues

EDF acquires IRSN’s C3X In 2010, IRSN and the post-accident advisory platform committee of ANCCLI (the French national In 2010, IRSN signed a contract to install association of local information commissions and C3X, an operational platform it has devel- committees) worked on deﬁ ning a tool for raising oped to compute radiological impact, at local stakeholders’ awareness of post-accident EDF’s national emergency centers. management following accidental release of C3X comprises several modules for rapidly radioactive material. assessing atmospheric dispersion of con- Known as OPAL, the tool will allow local information taminants, soil deposition and potential committees to select a site, a type of accident and impact on human health and the environ- certain environmental parameters (e.g. weather) ment in the event of an accident leading and will then display maps showing the post-accident to the release of radioactivity. A mapping impact of a radioactive release. module enables the results to be displayed OPAL will cover the main types of accidents likely on a map. to occur in French nuclear facilities. Under the terms of the above contract, The data provided by the tool can be used IRSN will provide EDF with C3X platform by a geographical information system, and can software, as well as ScenarX software for therefore be cross-referenced with information preparing and conducting emergency exer- on contaminated areas held by local bodies. cises. It will also provide maintenance ser- The local information committees will then be able vices and the necessary training to help EDF to prepare maps to make the various stakeholders employees familiarize themselves with the more aware of the issues involved in post-accident platform. management in their region.

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IRSN_RA2010_Partie3_p82-85_UK2.indd 85 21/06/11 12:29 IRSN and CEA organized the second Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI) workshop in Paris. The event brought together more than 200 scientists and specialists in exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation, from all c consensus on the choices over the world, to achieve a multidisciplinary scientiﬁ future strategic research agenda in this area. underpinning Europe’s 04

PARIS, FRANCE I OCTOBER 18-20, 2010

IRSN_RA2010_Partie4-2_UK.indd 86 21/06/11 12:30 CONTROL AND OPERATION ...... P. 88

PROPERTY ASSETS ...... P. 89

HUMAN RESOURCES ...... P. 90 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ...... P. 92

......

EFFICIENCY QUALITY POLICY P. 93

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CONTROL AND OPERATION Enhancing efﬁ ciency

After several years spent developing control and operating tools, IRSN took action in 2010 to enhance its efﬁ ciency, in line with its commitments to the French Government during the preparation of its Contract of Objectives for 2010-2013.

Optimization of support and international activities aimed at driving functions progress in safety, security and radiation To enhance its effi ciency through excel- protection. lent human resource and administrative management practices, IRSN has set up IRSN’s commitments center on four stra- a program called AMELIS to optimize its tegic areas of improvement:: support functions. The specifi c aims are research and scientifi c excellence, to make these support processes simpler, support for the public authorities and smoother and clearer, to match human customers, and fi nancial resources to the objectives promoting transparency and openness set, and to change the organizational struc- to society, ture accordingly. contributing to the promotion of a safety, Six defi ning projects were thus defi ned with security and radiation protection culture a view to drawing up sector-based action in Europe and around the world. plans in the following areas: human resources, information systems, purchasing, terms Action in these areas can be broken down in of payment for suppliers, sales, and mana- operational terms in IRSN’s different fi elds gement control. of expertise and its success relies on effi - This led, for example, to a review of how cient management of the Institute: training is organized, and the formation of steering programs and tailoring fi nancial an investment committee responsible for resources required to maintain a proper validating signifi cant investment projects. balance between research and consulting Lastly, the creation of a “dosimetry” busi- activities; ness unit in January 2010 met the objec- an attractive HR policy to ensure IRSN tive of adapting this service contracts sales has the skills in-house to accomplish its activity to the competitive market in which tasks; it operates. This unit is now an indepen- optimized economic, fi nancial and asset dent profi t centre, strategically managed management in a restricted institutional by a board that includes representatives context; of IRSN’s General Management, the ope- controlled, visible governance in the inte- rational division, and the support divisions rests of continuous improvement. involved in dosimetry. In 2010, it focused on improving the effectiveness of its customer relations and the quality of customer service.

Preparation of the Contract of Objectives for 2010-2013 The year 2010 was devoted to drawing up the Government/IRSN Contract of Objectives (COB) for 2010-2013, under which IRSN’s commitments to the Government are deﬁ - ned for a period of four years. The second contract conﬁ rms the Institute’s credibility and provides the framework for its national

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PROPERTY ASSETS EFFICIENCY Rational, economical and reassuring property management

In order to plan the management of its property assets, IRSN has drawn up a multiyear Pro- perty Master Plan that programs action to be taken in the short and medium terms.

View of the Institute’s new building in Fontenay- aux-Roses.

The multiyear Property Master Plan, pre- freeing up buildings, in keeping with the occupy the former OPRI site; the space pared by the Institute and submitted to its Government’s property policy. made available will allow the develo- supervisory ministries and its own Board of In 2010, IRSN had to review the multiyear pment project (construction of a sus- Directors, has three objectives: to enhance Property Master Plan to bring it in line with tainable district) planned by the local the safety of its activities and personnel, decisions made by its supervisory authori- authority to go ahead. optimize IRSN facilities, and reduce ope- ties during the year: rating costs. a project was selected for the demolition The revised Property Master Plan led to the and reconstruction of two buildings at start of a new “program” in documents in Written in 2009, the plan made provision Fontenay-aux-Roses, near Paris, this work 2010, in line with the above decisions. This for renovating a number of buildings and being funded by a loan; will be submitted to the Institute’s Board bringing them in line with safety regula- the transfer of CEA and IRSN teams to of Directors in mid 2011. tions. It also provided for the acquisition their respective sites was postponed; and construction of buildings with a view IRSN’s activities on its Le Vésinet site to grouping together various units and in the Paris region were moved back to

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HUMAN RESOURCES Skills and careers management at a time of full employment for the Institute

IRSN’s human resource management policy is designed to anticipate and meet the Institute’s future skills needs to enable it to fulﬁ ll its tasks. It also seeks to encourage the development of individual skills and provide career guidance in an effort to improve employees’ working conditions.

For the fi rst time since it was founded, the tion in various job forums and the deve- € Institute had all vacancies fi lled and a full lopment of exchanges with institutions of complement of staff, having recruited 180 higher education to promote its work and 1.67 employees on permanent contracts over achievements. It also stems from a raft of million spent a period of two years (2009-2010). This measures to improve working conditions on training. situation was mainly the result of IRSN’s at the Institute and increase staff loyalty. (1.99 in 2009) highly proactive recruitment policy in the For instance, all employees enjoy the same past few years, refl ected in its participa- employment status within the organization and are eligible for company-wide remuneration schemes (company savings plan, profi t-sharing, collective retirement savings plan, etc.). Ongoing initiative to forecast 5,547 staff and skills requirements participants in training The GPEC initiative launched by IRSN to courses. forecast staff and skills requirements has (4,181 in 2009) Age pyramid two aims: to create tools capable of antici- (en % par sexe) pating the skills needed in the medium to 25 long term, and to offer employees clearly 22 % identifi ed career paths to give them a bet- Men Women 20 ter idea of the various options open to them. In this context, 2010 was devoted 17% 17 % to completing the task of mapping careers 16 % 15 and skills: more than 150 careers were 14 % 14 % 13 % defi ned, a directory of associated skills 12% 12 % 11 % 11 % 11% was created and employees were divided 10 10% up into the various careers. The Institute now has a complete map 7% of employment that it can use to deter- 5 4 % 4 % mine its future strategy and priorities, as 3 % defi ned in its Contract of Objectives for 2 % 2010-2013. The map will also help bring 0 medium- and long-term planning in line Under 25 31 36 41 46 51 56 Over 25 to 30 to 35 to 40 to 45 to 50 to 55 to 60 60 with this second Contract of Objectives.

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Second internal opinion IN THE WORDS OF... EFFICIENCY

barometer In September 2010, IRSN conducted its Patricia de la Morlais, IRSN’s Director of Human Resources second staff opinion barometer. The survey, sent by e-mail to the Institute’s staff, contained more questions relating to wor- should be tried out in 2011. king conditions and working environment At the same time, we developed than the fi rst barometer in 2007. new tools, which will be With a response rate of 57% (as against available early in 2011. 52% for the previous survey), the main The aim is to offer employees results show some progress since 2007. tailored appraisals at each stage Strong points are still direct management, of their career so that they working conditions and training opportuni- receive support appropriate ties. Signifi cant improvement can be seen to their particular project. in employee perception of remuneration Last but not least, 2010 (47% of respondents satisfi ed as against ended with the signing of 32% in 2007) and the Institute’s strategy “Regarding human resources, two important unanimous and external image both nationally and we began 2010 with agreements, one aimed at internationally. Confi dence in IRSN has also a full complement of staff: harmonizing the Institute’s considerably increased. One area where a full-employment situation pay policy for managerial and respondents were less satisfi ed, however, is unprecedented for such a non-managerial staff, and the concerned careers, and questions persist as young institute and entails a other paving the way for a joint to the general organization of the Institute, few changes in human resource approach to stress and quality particularly regarding the distribution of management. While our main of life at work. roles between the “line organization” sec- aim up to now has been to All these initiatives enable us tor, the “expert” sector, project managers fi ll vacancies either by hiring to build on and sustain IRSN’s and “quality process” managers. externally or from within, human resource development we must now give priority to policy and to imagine the Agreement on the collectively internal recruitment and ensure Institute of the future.” agreed wage structure for non- that staff movements within managerial staff the Institute are consistent An agreement on the collectively agreed with the future development wage structure for non-managerial staff of programs. was signed with all of the trade unions In this respect, our human on December 2, 2010. This agreement, resources policy is a key part of which provides coherent wage structures IRSN’s strategy and it was with for managerial and non-managerial staff, this in mind that we planned is based on the principle of individual the implementation of the measures for all employees, calculated on a GPEC policy to forecast staff yearly basis. Employees now enjoy a higher and skills requirements. In 2010, monthly salary, due to the fact that the we also pursued a project to income bonus equal to an extra month’s create an internal university; the salary is paid in monthly installments and fi rst module on safety analysis the productivity bonus has been incorporated; transitional measures have also been set up, backdated to January 1, 2010. Lastly, special measures have been taken to improve the situation of employees recruited before June 2003 whose career development, under the CEA arrangements in force at that time, was less favorable than that provided for in the IRSN company- management to work together to improve vey prepared by the Institute’s occupational level agreement signed the same year. working conditions and organization. Some health physician. The agreement, which has of the actions already under way include been signed for a three-year period, will be Agreement on stress prevention a charter for good relations at work; the an opportunity to assess the situation so and quality of life at work creation of an observatory responsible for that the systems in place can be adapted, On December 3, 2010, a second agreement, monitoring changes in quality of life and if necessary. relating to stress prevention and quality of stress based on various indicators and pro- life at work, was unanimously approved. The posing individual or collective preventive agreement demonstrates the commitment measures; management training; efforts to of IRSN trade union representatives and promote greater staff awareness; and a sur-

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HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Consolidating security and sustainable development

In the area of health, safety and security and environmental protection, policies on information protection, information system security and sustainable development were formalized in 2010.

Information protection and information system security Much of the information handled by IRSN, whether scientifi c, technical or personal, is sensitive, which means that divulging it could seriously harm not only the Institute but also its partners and other parties. To guarantee confi dentiality and the integrity of its computer systems, IRSN formalized existing practices in this area in a new information protection policy in February 2010. This specifi es the principles to be observed as well as the procedures to be used when briefi ng personnel required to have access to sensitive information. IRSN’s information protection policy has two prongs: information protection and information system security. Each deals specifi cally with the protection of sensitive information and systems, national defense-classifi ed or otherwise. Under the revised information system security policy, new procedures have been drafted. These provide, in particular, for a secu- IRSN tightened its information system security policy. rity risk analysis to be performed on any new IT projects at IRSN, and for the development of an approval mechanism for Setting up the sustainable 65% of respondents. Some suggestions systems dealing with national defense- development policy were also made and taken up, such as an classifi ed information. Having spent 2009 completing an ana- inter-site relocation plan, energy saving, Each year, new recruits receive training lysis of the sustainable development preservation of biodiversity, and integra- in how to protect sensitive information, situation at IRSN, the Institute developed tion of environmental and social aspects national defense-classifi ed or otherwise, and formalized its policy in this area in into purchasing policy. Following this and existing employees undergo refresher 2010. The sustainable development dis- work, a sustainable development policy training to remind them about potential cussion group prepared a draft version document was drawn up and approved threats and the protection rules. based on the directions determined: skills, in December. Similarly, as part of a campaign to bring employment and training; how each per- The document describes IRSN’s responsi- the security culture in line with the mea- son relates to his/her job and employee bilities and refl ects the commitment of sures provided for under the policy on participation, involvement and motiva- the Institute and its employees to sustai- information system security, IRSN orga- tion; the environment and pollution; and nable development in areas such as the nized 60 training sessions for all members purchasing policy. The draft was submit- environment, risk control, social advocacy, of staff in 2010. ted to staff for approval and approved by and responsible purchasing and sales.

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QUALITY POLICY EFFICIENCY Driving the work of IRSN

The purpose of IRSN’s quality policy is to help the Institute perform the tasks entrusted to it and achieve its objectives through a continuous improvement process.

ISO 9001 certifi cation renewed ral improvements to be made. The second Having been certifi ed in compliance with part focuses on making the transition from the ISO 9001 standard in 2007, IRSN was the current system to a “quality, safety and evaluated in 2010 with a view to renewing environment” management system in the its certifi cation. In June, auditors from the medium term, incorporating sustainable certification authority LRQA met with development in particular. IRSN teams from Cadarache, in the south As part of its commitment to listen to its of France, and from Le Vésinet, Saclay and customers and meet their expectations, 10 Fontenay-aux-Roses, near Paris, to assess IRSN conducted its fi rst satisfaction sur- ISO 17025-accredited compliance of the Institute’s total quality vey among its internal customers in May laboratories. management system processes with the and June 2010. The survey covered IRSN’s (10 in 2009) 2008 version of ISO 9001. support processes and was sent by e-mail The auditors detected no cases of non- to 99 managers: the response rate was 50%, compliance, concluding that: “The system with an average satisfaction score of 83%. is functional. It is used as a true control The results highlighted some possible areas tool. We observed a marked improvement of improvement that should be addressed since 2007 in the use of the system by the starting in 2011. people we interviewed.” As a result, IRSN’s ISO 9001 certifi cation has been renewed until July 2013. This result comes after a great deal of preparatory work involving all IRSN departments, aimed in particular at taking into account the changes between the 2000 version and the 2008 version of the standard.

Improved management system On October 18, 2010, during a meeting of the total quality management committee, IRSN validated the different aspects of its new “quality project”. The current system will be simpliﬁ ed and its efﬁ ciency improved over the period 2010-2014. The aim is to make the total quality management system an effective tool for managing internal and external changes, now and in the future. To achieve this, the 2010- 2014 project is divided into two parts. The first, called processes for the benefit of the Institute’s customers and to enhance performance, prompted efforts, in 2010, to develop a general procedure for liste- ning to the Institute’s external customers. This must make it possible to gauge customer satisfaction with the Institute as a whole rather than with individual units, and obtain an overview of any necessary gene- The Institute’s ISO 90041 certification was renewed until July 2013.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 93

IRSN_RA2010_Partie4-2_UK.indd 93 21/06/11 12:30 GLOSSARY

A CATHARE: Thermal-hydraulic computer ENSTTI: European Nuclear Safety Training code used to study the behavior of and Tutoring Institute. AERES: French agency for the evaluation pressurized water reactors during EPICUR: Experimental program on iodine of research and higher education. accident situations. chemistry under radiation. Alpha radiation (symbolized as “”): Cesium (Cs, atomic number 55): EPR: European Pressurised-water Reactor. A highly ionizing form of particle Toxic rare metal with characteristics ERMSAR: European Review Meeting radiation with low penetration consisting comparable to those of potassium. on Severe Accident Research. of helium-4 nuclei. A simple sheet of CLIGEET: Local information committee ETSON: European Technical Safety paper can prevent its propagation. on the major energy facilities at Tricastin. Organisations Network. AMANDE: Accelerator for dosimetry CLI: Local information committee. EURATOM: European Atomic Energy metrology and neutron applications Corium: Agglomeration of fuel and Community. (Cadarache). structural elements from a nuclear ExPRI: Long-term information system ANCCLI: French national association reactor core, melted and mixed together on the medical exposure of patients of local information commissions following a major accident. to ionizing radiation. and committees. Criticality (risks): Risks associated with ANDRA: French national radioactive uncontrolled fi ssion phenomena in fi ssile F waste management agency. materials. ANR: French national research agency. Fuel assembly: Bundle of fuel rods ASAMPSA2: Advanced Safety Assessment D assembled in a metal structure, used Methodologies: Level 2 Probabilistic in nuclear reactors. Safety Assessment. DSND: Representative in charge of Foundation raft: Thick, reinforced ASN: French nuclear safety authority. Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection concrete foundation providing stable ASTEC: Accident Source Term Evaluation for Defense-related Activities and support. Code. Facilities. FP: European Union Framework ASTRID: Advanced Sodium Technological DOE: Department of Energy (USA). Programme for research and Reactor for Industrial Demonstration. Double-strand break: Complete break technological development. A planned prototype sodium-cooled fast in a DNA molecule. neutron reactor (SFR). Dosimetry: Determination of the dose G of radiation (radioactivity) absorbed B by a substance or an individual through Gamma radiation (symbolized assessment or measuring. as “"”): Electromagnetic radiation with BECARRE: Tests on control rod DRL: Diagnostic reference level. high penetration but low ionization, degradation phenomena induced by emitted during the transformation of boron carbide and on the related release. E radionuclides. Protection is provided Becquerel (Bq): Offi cial international by concrete or lead screens. unit of measure used for radioactivity. Effective dose: A physical variable used GRS: Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und The becquerel is equal to one in the fi eld of radiation protection, where Reaktorsicherheit (German technical transformation per second. it serves to assess the impact of exposure safety organization). Bel V: Technical safety organization to ionizing radiation on biological tissue. GWd/t: Fuel burnup unit. Gigawatt- of the Belgian Nuclear Safety Authority. It takes into account the sensitivity hours per metric ton of fuel. Commonly Beta radiation (symbolized as “ß”): of the affected tissues and the type of used unit of measure giving the level of Radiation consisting of electrons with a radiation. The sievert (Sv) is the unit irradiation of fuel assemblies, expressed positive or negative charge. Propagation of effective dose. as energy output by the assembly in can be stopped by leaving a space of ENEA: Italian national agency for new the reactor per ton of the initial uranium. a few meters around the source or technologies, energy and sustainable providing a barrier using a simple sheet economic development. H of aluminum foil. ENVIRHOM: Research program BRGM: French geological survey. that studies the processes involved HILW-LL: high level and intermediate in radionuclide accumulation and level long-lived waste. C the biological effects induced by HFDS: Ministry of Energy Senior Defense this accumulation in fl ora, fauna and and Security Offi cial, the authority CABRI: CEA test reactor used by IRSN humans in a chronic exposure situation. in charge of nuclear material protection to study nuclear fuel safety. and control in France.

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IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency. NRC: United States Nuclear TAREF: Task Group on Advanced Reactor ICRP: International Commission Regulatory Commission. Experimental Facilities. on Radiological Protection. NSC: Chinese Nuclear Safety Center. TELERAY: French national automatic ICSBEP: International Criticality Safety gamma air monitoring network. It also Benchmark Evaluation Project. O emits a warning in the event of unusually IFREMER: French research institute high ambient dose rates. for exploration of the sea. OECD: Organisation for Economic TSO: Technical Safety Organisation. InVS: French national institute for health Co-operation and Development. TSN: French act relative to Transparency surveillance. ONERA: French national aerospace and Security in the Nuclear Field. IPPE : Russian Institute for Physics research center. and Power Engineering. U IRPhE: International Reactor Physics P Experiments Evaluation. Unsaturated zone: Portion of the Isotopes: Elements whose atoms have the PICSEL: Research program on the subsurface above the groundwater table. same number of electrons and protons, propagation of solid fuel fi res but a different number of neutrons. in laboratory and plant environments. V Designated by the same name, they PRISME: Research program on fi re display the same chemical properties. propagation in elementary multiple- VVER or WWER: Vodo-Vodianoy There are currently 325 known natural enclosure scenarios. Energetichesky Reactor ou Water-Water isotopes and 1,200 artifi cial isotopes. PSA: Probabilistic Safety Assessment. Energetic Reactor, Russian-designed ISTC: Russian International Science PUI: On-site emergency plan. reactors that operate in a similar way and Technology Center. to western pressurized-water reactors. ISTP: International Souce Term Program. R W J Radioelement: Natural or artifi cial radioactive element. WHO: World Health Organization. JAEA: Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Radionuclide: Radioactive isotope JNES: Japan Nuclear Energy Safety of an element. X Organization. S Xenobiotic: a toxic chemical compound K that is foreign to a living organism. SARNET: Severe Accident Research kV: kiloVolt. NETwork of excellence, a European Z research project to study core meltdown M accidents on water reactors. ZIRA: Zone of interest for detailed SCANAIR: Computer system geological reconnaissance. MELODI: Multidisciplinary European Low developed by IRSN for analyzing Dose Initiative, a European governance injection reactivity accidents. instrument set up to organize research into SFR: Sodium-cooled fast reactor. risks relating to low-dose radiation exposure. SNETP: Sustainable Nuclear Energy MOX: Fuel made from (natural or Technology Platform. depleted) uranium and plutonium oxide. STUK: Finnish nuclear safety authority. mGy (milligray): Unit of radiation SYMBIOSE: “System approach absorbed dose used in the international for modelling the fate of chemicals system. in biosphere and ecosystems”, mSv (millisievert): Unit of effective dose a software platform used to simulate used in the international system. the impact of environmental radioactive MWe: Megawatt electric, unit of electric contamination on human health. power produced. In a pressurized water For further information, consult reactor, the thermal power released the glossary on the IRSN website at: is about three times greater. www.irsn.fr

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 95

IRSN_RA2010_Partie4-2_UK.indd 95 21/06/11 12:30 EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION COORDINATION Strategy, Development and Partnerships Division, with support from Anne-Marie GIRARDIN (TroisCube)

STEERING COMMITTEE Michel BAUDRY François ROLLINGER Bernard CHAUMONT Nathalie RUTSCHKOWSKY Patrice DESCHAMPS Édouard SCOTT de MARTINVILLE Denis FLORY Véronique ROUYER Emmanuelle MUR Sylvie SUPERVIL

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Supervision and coordination: Valérie MARCHAL Jocelyne AIGUEPERSE Agnès DUMAS Marie-Pierre BIGOT Dominique FRANQUARD Françoise BRETHEAU Bernard GOUDAL Stéphanie CLAVELLE Jean JALOUNEIX Patrick COUSINOU Valérie MARCHAL Véronique DELACOURT Pascale MONTI Aleth DELATTRE Jean-Luc PASQUIER Didier DEMEILLERS Christine THARAUD Arielle DREYFUSS Jean-Luc SCHWALLER

WRITTEN BY IRSN, with support from Camille Jaunet (La Clé des mots) and Jean-Christophe Hedouin (HIME) This Annual Report was approved by the IRSN Board of Directors on March 30, 2010.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

TRANSLATION Provence traduction

PRINTED BY Valblor

PHOTO CREDITS Olivier Seignette/Mikael Lafontan: pages 11, 25, 48, 59, 60, 71, 77, 78, 80, 81, 85, 86, 91, 92 – Biosphoto/Michel Gunther: page 69 – Noak/le Bar Floréal: pages 12, 27, 40, 58, 89, 70 – Antoine Devouard: page 12 – Dean Calma/AIEA: page 64 – Stéphane Jungers: pages 28, 39, 41, 47, 52, 59 – Areva/Jean-Marie Taillat: page 63 – IStock: page 32 – Jean-Pierre Copitet/IRSN: page 34 – Ludivine Gilli/IRSN: page 31 – I. Duhamel/IRSN: page 44 – S. Fauvel/IRSN: page 49 – P. Briole/IRSN: page 53 – Gagan Singh/IRSN: page 22 – IBRAE: page 36 – Laurent Stefano: pages 45, 52, 59, 83 – Magali Delporte/IRSN: page 66 – Charlotte Mattéi/IRSN: page 4 – Marine Nationale: page 54 – Marine Nationale/Robert Dal Soglio: page 56 – C. Jandaureck/Cadam/CEA: page 55 – CEA: pages 46, 57 – Thinkstock: page 35 – EDF-Mediathèque/ Fabrice Arfaras: page 39 – EDF-Mediathèque/Alexis Morin: page 40 – Luc Benevello: pages 6, 7, 9, 16 – Cyrille Dupont: page 16 – RA Port Minimes Yves Ronzier: page 75 – IRSN: pages 10, 43, 61, 65, 67, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 80, 84 – TN International: page 43 – Tim Laman/Gettyimages: page 68 – Xavier Bellanger: page 79

IRSN_RA2010_Partie4-2_UK.indd 96 21/06/11 12:30

Head office 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses RCS Nanterre B 440 546 018

Telephone +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88

Mailing address BP 17 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex

Website www.irsn.fr Enhancing nuclear safety

2010 FINANCIAL REPORT

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 1

21/06/11 12:08 IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 2 21/06/11 12:08 IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 3 CONTENTS BUDGET VERSUS ACTUALREPORT VERSUS BUDGET INCOME STATEMENT SUBTOTALS INCOME STATEMENT BALANCE SHEET MANAGEMENT REPORT

P. 10 P. 12 P. 05 P. 13 P. 14 IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 3 21/06/11 12:08

FINANCIAL REPORT

FINANCIAL REPORT Management Report

GENERAL OUTLOOK

Signiﬁ cant events in 2010: the Institute was ordered to pay the cost of decontaminating its Le Vésinet site, following an environmental accident, for an estimated the public service grant paid by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable cost of €2.5 million. A provision has been set aside for several years Development, Transport and Housing (MEDDTL) under budget pro- to cover these costs, the contribution for 2010 being approximately gram 190 was increased by €7 million. Of this amount, €5.2 million €1.5 million; is intended to cover the rising cost of dismantling operations, and €1.8 million to the cost of renovation work on the CABRI experi- €9.1 million was paid out from the special dismantling fund to mental reactor, which has exceeded budget forecasts; cover the cost of works carried out in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

the current economic climate led to an increase in the Institute's Budget execution in 2010 involved a vast investment program total- self-generated revenue, largely stemming from industrial and coming €46.7 million, after incorporation of operations carried over mercial operations at home and abroad; from the previous year, including, in particular, the ﬁ rst phase of the Institute's property project, which was funded through a €16.7 after several years of tough job-market competition with operators million loan. in the nuclear sector, IRSN reached a situation of full employment; Not all of these investments were completed during the ﬁ scal year, the cost of work on the CABRI facility overshot the budget esti- and a proposal to carry over €19.2 million for operations in prog- mate by €7.3 million in the June 2010 budget revision (budget ress will be put forward in the projected revenue and expenditure amendment no. 2), and a €2 million loss was recorded in EDF revenue statement for 2011. owing to delays in the project;

the Institute might have to pay some of the costs – currently estimated at €15 million - resulting from an incident that occurred at the Feursmétal industrial site. A €5 million provision was booked for this purpose in the accounts for 2010;

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 5

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 5 21/06/11 12:08 BUDGET BALANCE

Exécution Difference Budget execution in 2010, as in previous The year 2010 can be characterized as 2008 (1) 2009 2010 (in €M) 2010/2009 years, shows a budget balance that appears follows: Total € 255.2 283.0 316.4 + 11.8% to be amplified by the 19.2 million in results match the balance ﬁ gures given resources investments carried over. Furthermore, in the projected revenue and expenditure Total 281.2 301.8 312.9 + 3.7% expenditure incorporating investments carried over from statement approved by the Board of the previous year reduces the budget execu- Directors; BALANCE – 26.0 – 18.8 3.5 – 118.7% tion speciﬁ c to the year. Appropriate recal- a budget execution rate of 93.5% (com- culations give the following results: pared with 93.6% in 2009), i.e. a difference (1) Fiscal year 2008 shows an exceptional reduction of €15 million, corresponding to reconciliation of of €21.6 million, of which €19.2 million Recalculated the €20 million VAT adjustment on one hand, and 2009 2010 a special contribution of €5 million added to the execution (in €M) corresponds to an offset in the execution dismantling fund on the other. Actual balance – 18.8 3.5 of certain investments. If these offsets 2008 carryover 10.2 – were excluded, the budget execution rate 2009 carryover – 14.5 14.5 would be 99.3% compared with 98.1% 2010 carryover – – 19.2 in 2009. RECALCULATED – 23.1 – 1.2 BALANCE

INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS

Revenue lion, of which €18 million was recorded – for catalog services: dosimetry activity as a capital grant; (up by €1 million to €9.3 million in 2010), Execution Difference 2008 2009 2010 (in €M) 2010/2009 – €3.4 million from the agreement – for co-funded research: EDF contribution Sale 31.8 37.7 39.2 + 4.0% signed with the Ministry of Defense as to the CABRI project (down by €2 million Grant 195.5 216.5 230.6 + 6.5% part of Budget Program 212, €0.3 million to €3 million in 2010), Other up on the previous year; – for services and non co-funded research: operating 4.0 7.6 8.1 + 6.8% – €1.4 million from other grants, includ- international services (up by €2.4 million to income ing from local government authorities, €3.7 million in 2010), Operating € income 231.2 261.8 277.9 + 6.1% 0.5 million up on the previous year; – other services: invoicing for seconded per- subtotal – €39.2 million of self-generated rev- sonnel (down €0.6 million to €5.2 million). Investment € 3.7 1.4 0.3 – 76.1% enue from consultancy services, co- – 8.1 million in other operating income, income funding of research programs, or other compared with €7.6 million in 2009. This Extraordinary 6.4 9.1 11.2 + 22.1% revenue services, representing a 4.0% increase amount mainly includes fees paid for indus- € TOTAL 241.3 272.3 289.4 + 6.3% over the previous year; trial property ( 0.1 million, steady), other The main differences observed between operating income (€0.6 million, steady) rep- 2009 and 2010 are as follows: resenting adjustments made from previous Overall, the income recorded by the Institute Execution Difference years, as well as write-backs on depreciation 2008 2009 2010 during the year rose by 6.3%: (in €M) 2010/2009 and provisions (€7.3 million, up by €0.5 mil- € Catalog Operating income rose by 16.1 mil- 9.5 10.9 11.7 + 7.5% lion compared with 2009). services lion (+6.1%) compared with the previous R&D and ﬁ scal year, with: co-funded 10.0 13.6 11.7 – 13.5% – €225.8 million from the public service research grant paid by the Ministry of Ecology, Services and non co-funded 6.2 7.1 10.0 + 40.4% Sustainable Development, Transport research and Housing (MEDDTL). The total in Other services 6.1 6.2 5.8 – 5.8% government grants received for Budget TOTAL 31.8 37.7 39.2 4.0% Program 190 amounted to €243.8 mil-

6 IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 6 21/06/11 12:08

Investment income, which amounted to €124.2 million. The average number of Breakdown of Difference outside expenses 2008 2009 2010 €0.3 million, was much lower than in 2009 employees over the year 2010 was 1691 2010/2009 (in €M) FINANCIAL REPORT (down by €1.1 million), refl ecting a drop in (full-time equivalent worked) for a budget Purchases 63.0 72.0 74.8 +3.9% interest rates on fi nancial markets. of 1,679.5. The Institute was momentarily Outside € 35.4 40.8 41.6 +1.8% Extraordinary revenue rose to 11.2 mil- overstaffed at the beginning of the year but services € lion, compared with 9.1 million in 2009. the excess was gradually absorbed to reach Other outside Capital grants of €9.7 million, recorded in 1,676.3 (full-time equivalent) at the end of services 17.8 20.0 20.2 +1.2% the income statement, accounted for most the year, which is below the job ceiling. TOTAL 116.2 132.8 136.6 +2.9% of this amount. – Taxes amounted to €13.3 million, up by €0.5 million. Expenditure – Depreciation expenses were up slightly - lion. Purchases, Outside services, and Other by €0.3 million - to reach €23.1 million. outside services were up by 3.9%,1.8%, and Execution Difference 2008 2009 2010 (in €M) 2010/2009 Provisions, allocated mainly to the employee 1.2% respectively. Purchases 116.2 132.8 136.6 + 2.9% profi t-sharing plan and contingency provi- This variation was concentrated mainly in sions, rose by €4 million compared with purchases and provisions, and breaks down Personnel 113.6 120.0 124.2 + 3.5% 2009, to reach a fi gure of €6.3 million. This as follows: Taxes 9.2 12.8 13.3 + 3.7% was mainly due to a €5 million provision Financial charges rose sharply by 141% Depreciation 17.5 22.8 23.1 + 1.1% set aside in connection with the incident at (or €0.7 million), from €0.5 million to Provisions 1.4 2.3 6.3 + 173.9% the Feursmétal site. €1.2 million. Interest payments on loans Other operating 1.2 1.6 2.2 + 38.6% expenses – Purchasing of goods and services rose by accounted for much of this amount. The € € Operating 3.8 million (or 2.9%) to 136.6 million. increase in these charges was mainly due to expenses 259.1 292.2 305.6 + 4.6% This was essentially due to the higher than the new loan taken out to fund the Triangle subtotal planned cost of work on the CABRI experi- building, for which interest payments began Financial 0.7 0.5 1.2 + 141.2% € charges mental reactor. in 2010 ( 0.5 million). Other loans running € Extraordinary – Other expenses represented 2.2 million, concern funding for the head offi ce and new 0.3 0.4 0.5 + 37.3% charges compared with €1.6 million in 2009. Fees dosimetry technology. (€1.4 million) accounted for much of this Extraordinary charges rose by €0.1 TOTAL 260.1 293.1 307.3 + 4.8% amount . million. 124.2 million. The average number of With a 4.8% increase, expenditure rose less employees over the year 2010 was 1,691 than income in 2010: (full-time equivalent worked) for a budget of 1,679.5. The Institute was momentarily Operating expenses for the year overstaffed at the beginning of the year but amounted to €305.6 million, an increase the excess was gradually absorbed to reach of €13.4 million or 4.6%. This variation was 1,676.3 (full-time equivalent) at the end of concentrated mainly in purchases and provi- the year, which is below the job ceiling. sions, and breaks down as follows: This table breaks down the year’s outside – Personnel expenses rose by 3.5% to expenses, which amount to €136.6 mil-

RESULTS AND FINANCING

Results and Difference The balance fi gures at year-end can be char- a favorable balance between: fi nancing 2008 2009 2010 2010/2009 € (in €M) acterized as follows: – a growth in income estimated at 3.4 The net balance for the year 2010 showed million, Profi t “+” / loss “–” – 18.7 – 20.8 – 17.9 – 13.8% a defi cit of €17.9 million, which is close to – an increase in charges estimated at €4.6 recorded that recorded for the previous years (defi cit million. Cash provided € € by operations – 9.3 – 10.2 – 5.6 – 45.6% of 20.8 million in 2009 and 18.7 million The defi cit in cash provided by operations, “+” / “–” in 2008). The difference between the revised budgeted at – €4.2 million in the second forecast in the second budget amendment, budget amendment, reached – €5.6 mil- Variation in – 26.0 – 18.8 + 3.5 – 118.7% predicting a defi cit of €16.9 million, and the lion, i.e. a negative difference of €1.7 million. working capital accounts at closing on December 31, 2009 This defi cit was compensated by the por- was €1 million, which can be explained by tion of the public service grant paid by

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 7

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 7 21/06/11 12:08 the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable pensated by the portion of the public ser- Institute's property project. The resulting Development, Transport and Housing vice grant paid by the Ministry of Ecology, total resources paid for jobs and a €3.5 allocated to capital grants (€18 million), Sustainable Development, Transport and million contribution to the working capi- an above-forecast reimbursement by the Housing allocated to capital grants (€18 tal against a planned withdrawal of €20.1 special dismantling fund, and a €16.7 million), an above-forecast reimburse- million in June 2010. This variation was million increase in fi nancial charges for ment by the special dismantling fund, mostly due to a sum of €19.2 million funding the fi rst phase of the Institute's and a €16.7 million increase in fi nancial carried over as part of the investment property project. This defi cit was com- charges for funding the fi rst phase of the program.

MANAGEMENT BALANCES

The following table shows the variation in working capital, cash, and working capital Like the working capital, cash was requirements: affected by the delay in reimbursing the cost of remediation and disman- 2010 DM2 2009 In €M tling operations via the special fund. Thus actual 2010 actual €6.2 million in expenditure projected Contribution to or withdrawal 3.5 – 20.1 – 18.8 from working capital in the second budget amendment for Variation in working capital requirements 3.9 – 7.9 – 19.0 2010 concerned PHEBUS dismantling Cash variation – 0.4 – 12.1 0.2 costs. Of this amount, €3.4 million was Level of working capital 25.3 1.7 21.8 executed but will only be reimbursed Level of working capital requirements – 59.7 – 71.5 – 63.6 by the special fund on presentation of documentary evidence when the 2011 Cash level 85.0 73.2 85.3 budget is executed. – Preﬁ nancing of special fund 3.4 – 8.6 Because of the way in which the special – Recalculated cash level 88.3 73.2 93.9 remediation and dismantling fund works, IRSN must bear the cost of pre-ﬁ nancing

Variation in working capital – other operating savings ...... + 0.4 €M dismantling operations out of its cash The projected variation in working capi- and working capital. tal in June 2010 was due to a withdrawal Expenditure relating to investments and of €20.1 million, broken down as follows: speciﬁ c projects not completed in 2010 Variation in working capital – withdrawal from CABRI is the subject of a carryover proposal for requirements

working capital ...... 4.5 €M the 2011 budget. The payment of dis- Working capital requirements stood

– PHEBUS ...... 1.0 €M mantling expenses via the special fund at -€59.5 million at the end of 2010, – investments carried over is delayed because of the way the fund compared with a projection of -€71.5

from 2009 ...... 12.2 €M works (expenditure is reimbursed after million. The €3.9 million increase in – write-back on proﬁ t-sharing the event on presentation of documen- working capital requirements com-

provision 2009 ...... 1.3 €M tary evidence). pared with 2009 can be explained by

– write-back on sources ...... 1.1 €M In view of the above, the level of work- the fact that operating assets (especially ing capital at December 31, 2010, esti- accounts receivable, see point 6.2 below) The contribution to working capital at mated at €1.7 million according to the rose more rapidly than operating debts the end of 2010 amounted to €3.7 mil- second budget amendment, is actually (+€7.4 million compared with +€3.4 lion, an increase of €23.8 million com- €25.3 million. million). pared with June 2010 forecasts. The difference can be broken down as Cash variation follows: LThe cash level stood at €85.0 million – investments not completed at the end of 2010, compared with the in 2010, proposed to be carried €73.2 million projected in June 2010.

over to 2011 ...... + 19.2 €M It was almost stable compared with the – provision for proﬁ t-sharing year-end level for 2009 (€85.2 mil-

plan 2010 ...... + 1.1 €M lion), due to the combined effects of the – difference in funding increase in working capital and the varia-

via special fund ...... + 2.9 €M tion in working capital requirements.

8 IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 8 21/06/11 12:08

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS FINANCIAL REPORT Liabilities Debt saw a signiﬁ cant rise, climbing Assets With a recorded loss of €17.9 mil- from €119 million in 2009 to €135.4 Fixed assets fell to €182.9 million lion, the net position dropped to €37.5 million. This was due to the combined (down by €1.2 million), due to depre- million, compared with €55.4 million effect of increases in debts not only in ciation expenses (up by €22.9 million) in 2009. The capital grant saw an €8.2 the short term, but also – and especially progressing faster in 2010 than fixed million increase, rising from €67.3 mil- – in the medium and long term. These assets acquisitions (up by €21.7 million). lion to €75.5 million. Furthermore, con- changes break down as follows: trade pay- Current assets rose to €136.6 mil- tingency and loss provisions fell by €1 ables (up by €3.2 million), tax and social lion (up from €129.6 million in 2009), million, reaching the ﬁ gure of €71 mil- liabilities (up by €1.3 million, other lia- due mainly to a €4.8 million increase in lion on December 31, 2010. This drop bilities (down by €1.1 million) and long- accounts receivable. Furthermore, liquidi- was the result of two opposing trends, term debts (up by + €12.9 million), which ties fell very slightly from €85.2 million namely an increase in contingency provi- consolidate capital reimbursements on on December 31, 2009 to €85 million sions (up by €5 million) to account for a current loans to the amount of €3.7 mil- at year-end, 2010. provision set aside to cover the incident lion, and a new loan with Crédit Agricole. at the Feursmétal site, and a decrease This loan, for €16.7 million over a period in loss provisions (down by €6 million). of 25 years, has been taken out to fund The Institute's long-term capital dropped, works on property at the Fontenay-aux- falling from €194.7 million in 2009 to Roses site and the acquisition of the €184.1 million in 2010. Triangle building.

CONCLUSION

The 2010 budget was executed within enue and expenditure statement stood The available balance of €4.5 million the forecast budget balance presented at €0.6 million (write-back on sources). covers the fi rst provision set up to meet to the Board of Directors. Deferred expenditure of €20.3 million the consequences of the incident at the A €3.5 million contribution was paid must be added to this amount, repre- Feursmétal site. To this end, €2.1 million into the working capital, which stood senting €1.1 million for the employee will be paid at the beginning of 2011, at €25.3 million at year-end 2010. profi t-sharing plan and €19.2 million further to a ruling of the Paris court of The withdrawal from working capital for for carryover of investment projects in fi rst instance on January 25, 2011. 2011 provided for in the projected rev- progress.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 9

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 9 21/06/11 12:08 Balance sheet

ASSETS

2010 2009 2008 In euros Gross Depreciation and Net Net Net provisions (to be deducted) Intangible assets 20,741,718.26 15,339,630.63 5,402,087.63 5,152,254.53 3,254,384.31 Tangible assets 299,015,905.44 130,784,936.07 168,230,969.37 166,660,722.33 127,259,750.21 Financial assets 9,273,132.97 – 9,273,132.97 12,264,531.14 5,115,702.80 Fixed assets 329,030,756.67 146,124,566.70 182,906,189.97 184,077,508.00 135,629,837.32 Inventory and work in progress ––– –– Prepayments and advances on orders 128,584.85 – 128,584.85 626,921.85 431,094.07 Accounts receivable 51,504,408.85 27,331.59 51,477,077.26 43,650,599.73 46,709,534.13 customer receivables 34,830,393.58 27,331.59 34,803,061.99 28,411,055.33 30,497,436.91 related receivables 16,674,015.27 – 16,674,015.27 15,239,544.40 16,212,097.22 Other receivables ––– 3,689.80 3,689.80 Investment securities 76,706,174.36 – 76,706,174.36 77,925,874.35 75,854,958.53 Cash 8,244,314.03 – 8,244,314.03 7,403,786.48 9,297,888.40 Prepaid expenses ––– –– Current assets 136,583,482.09 27,331.59 136,556,150.50 129,610,872.21 132,297,164.93 GRAND TOTAL 465,614,238.76 146,151,898.29 319,462,340.47 313,688,380.21 267,927,002.25

Assets Current assets

26% 43% 57% 62%

12%

Fixed assets 182.90 €M Cash and cash equivalents 84.90 €M Current assets 136.60 €M Customer receivables 34.80 €M Other receivables 16.70 €M

10 IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 10 21/06/11 12:08 FINANCIAL REPORT

LIABILITIES

In euros 2010 2009 2008

Allowances 4,183,945.65 4,183,945.65 4,183,945.65 Reserves 90,783,098.42 90,783,098.42 90,783,098.42 Retained earnings – 39,524,209.85 – 18,724,287.79 – Fiscal year proﬁ t or loss – 17,930,305.13 – 20,799,922.06 – 18,724,287.79 Net position 37,512,529.09 55,442,834.22 76,242,756.28 Capital grants 75,534,368.49 67,282,860.81 50,013,274.68 Equity 113,046,897.58 122,725,695.03 126,256,030.96 Contingency provision 6,052,933.75 2,666,100.00 1,978,000.00 Provision for taxes due – – 177,000.00 Loss provision 64,951,818.22 69,321,702.00 33,294,000.00 Contingency and loss provision 71,004,751.97 71,987,802.00 35,449,000.00 Bank borrowings 24,101,127.54 11,056,525.76 14,429,135.32 Various debts and liabilities – 190.50 190.50 Trade notes and accounts payable 75,129,356.62 71,948,636.59 58,826,534.14 Tax and social liabilities 27,383,713.64 26,111,320.17 24,015,522.27 Other operating liabilities – –– Trade notes and accounts payable 4,650,730.31 6,045,394.01 7,197,842.14 Other liabilities 4,145,762.81 3,812,816.15 1,752,746.92 Liabilities 135,410,690.92 118,974,883.18 106,221,971.29 GRAND TOTAL 319,462,340.47 313,688,380.21 267,927,002.25

Long-term capital Debt analysis

56% 24% 39%

41%

20% 20%

Capital grant 75.50 M€ Trade payables 75.10 €M Provisions 71.00 M€ Tax and social liabilities 27.40 €M Net position 37.50 M€ Other liabilities 32.90 €M

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 11

IRSN_RA2010_CahierFina_UK.indd 11 21/06/11 12:08 Income statement

In euros before tax 2010 2009 2008 Research work 11,743,488.82 13,569,471.06 11,165,866.34 Service contracts 21,667,148.27 18,145,983.08 14,937,300.43 Other services provided 5,797,319.53 5,996,863.90 5,720,848.65 Net revenue 39,207,956.62 37,712,318.04 31,824,015.42 Operating grants 230,576,638.37 216,500,738.38 195,447,206.52 Write-backs on depreciation and provisions 7,326,896.29 6,835,490.36 3,270,980.62 Capital grants recorded in ﬁ scal year's income statement 9,748,492.32 7,928,749.89 6,286,126.30 Expense transfer 98,755.67 147,682.24 128,863.34 Other income 665,373.17 596,141.76 553,067.57 Operating income 287,624,112.44 261,792,370.78 231,224,133.47 Outside expenses for the ﬁ scal year 136,551,172.79 132,765,002.38 116,148,653.80 Taxes, duties, and similar payments 13,264,085.43 12,795,271.46 12,373,634.74 Personnel expenses 124,213,013.06 119,962,166.29 110,426,772.00 Depreciation and provisions 29,385,527.00 25,143,505.80 18,924,712.32 Other expenses 2,205,994.59 1,582,253.46 1,179,411.04 Operating expenses 305,619,792.87 292,248,199.39 259,053,183.90 OPERATING INCOME – 17,995,680.43 – 30,455,828.61 – 27,829,050.43 From controlled entities – –– Other interest income 21,153.87 26,886.07 24,566.87 Foreign exchange gains 95,672.34 92,325.73 38,754.50 Gains on sales of short-term investments 208,778.61 1,243,941.94 3,627,624.62 Investment income 325,604.82 1,363,153.74 3,690,945.99 Interest expense 882,065.05 471,602.42 564,466.81 Foreign exchange losses 298,456.82 17,844.88 153,739.95 Losses on sales of short-term investments – –– Financial charges 1,180,521.87 489,447.30 718,206.76 FINANCIAL INCOME – 854,917.05 873,706.44 2,972,739.23 INCOME BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS – 18,850,597.48 – 29,582,122.17 – 24,856,311.20 Gains on sales of assets 73,040.85 –– Capital grants strictly for the period – – 46,879.34 In operations 1,339,207.75 1,211,820.71 88,447.78 Extraordinary revenue 1,412,248.60 9,140,570.60 6,421,453.42 In operations 372,640.25 316,223.72 222,636.97 Book value of assets sold and other capital losses 119,316.00 42,146.77 66,793.04 Depreciation and provisions – –– Extraordinary charges 491,956.25 358,370.49 289,430.01 EXTRAORDINARY INCOME 920,292.35 8,782,200.11 6,132,023.41 Income tax – – – FISCAL YEAR INCOME – 17,930,305.13 – 20,799,922.06 – 18,724,287.79

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Income statement subtotals FINANCIAL REPORT

CAPTIONS 31/12/2010 % 31/12/2009 31/12/2008 Sales 39,207,956.62 14.53 37,712,318.04 31,824,015.42 + Operating grants 230,576,638.37 85.47 216,500,738.38 195,447,206.52 FISCAL YEAR PRODUCTION 269,784,594.99 100.00 254,213,056.42 227,271,221.94 – Outside expenses 136,551,172.79 50.61 132,765,002.38 116,148,653.80 ADDED VALUE 133,233,422.20 49.39 121,448,054.04 111,122,568.14 – Taxes 13,264,085.43 4.92 12,795,271.46 12,373,634.74 – Personnel expenses 124,213,013.06 46.04 119,962,166.29 110,426,772.00 OPERATING INCOME BEFORE INTEREST – 4,243,676.29 – 1.57 – 11,309,383.71 – 11,677,838.60 + Write-backs, expense transfer 7,425,651.96 2.75 6,983,172.60 3,399,843.96 + Other income 665,373.17 0.25 596,141.76 553,067.57 – Depreciation and provisions 29,385,527.00 10.89 25,143,505.80 18,924,712.32 + Write-back on capital grants 9,748,492.32 3.61 7,845,142.87 6,286,126.30 – Other expenses 2,205,994.59 0.82 1,582,253.46 1,179,411.04 OPERATING INCOME – 17,995,680.43 – 6.67 – 22,610,685.74 – 21,542,924.13 + Investment income 325,604.82 0.12 1,363,153.74 3,690,945.99 – Financial charges 1,180,521.87 0.44 489,447.30 718,206.76 INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES – 18,850,597.48 – 6.99 – 21,736,979.30 – 18,570,184.90 + Extraordinary revenue 1,412,248.60 0.52 1,295,427.73 135,327.12 – Extraordinary charges 491,956.25 0.18 358,370.49 289,430.01 – Income tax – ––– FISCAL YEAR RESULT – 17,930,305.13 – 6.65 – 20,799,922.06 – 18,724,287.79

Income (in €M) Operating income (in €M)

261.79 212.44 Operating MEDDTL 277.90 income 225.80 grant 1.36 Investment 3.12 Mindef 0.30 income 3.40 grant 9.14 Extraordinary 0.95 Other 11.20 revenue 1.40 grants

37.71 Own 2009 2010 39.20 revenue 7.58 Other 8.10

2009 2010

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2010 13 Budget Versus Actual Report

INCOME STATEMENT in euros 2010 Budget 2010 Actual

REVENUE Service contract sales 43,663,010.00 39,207,956.62 Government grants 228,322,660.00 230,576,638.37 Other operating revenue 1,500,000.00 2,562,941.41 Internal operations 12,207,000.00 17,014,429.46 TOTAL REVENUE 285,692,670.00 289,361,965.86

EXPENDITURE Personnel expenses 137,953,127.00 124,213,013.06 Other operating expenses 139,684,628.00 153,574,414.93 Internal operations 25,000,000.00 29,504,843.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 302,637,755.00 307,292,270.99 RESULT (PROFIT) –– RESULT (LOSS) 16,945,085.00 17,930,305.13 TOTAL INCOME STATEMENT BALANCE 302,637,755.00 307,292,270.99

TRANSFER OF RESULT TO CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS in euros 2010 Budget 2010 Actual

RESULT – 16,945,085.00 – 17,930,305.13 + Loss on sale of assets – 46,275.15 + Depreciation and provisions 25,000,000.00 29,385,527.00 – Gains from offsetting depreciation –– – Portion of grants recorded in result 3,500,000.00 9,748,492.32 – Write-backs on depreciation and provisions 8,707,000.00 7,326,896.29 CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS – 4,152,085.00 – 5,573,891.59

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION in euros 2010 Budget 2010 Actual

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS – 4,152,085.00 – 5,573,891.59 Acquisition of tangible and intangible assets 46,721,442.00 25,013,439.26 Financial assets 6,300,000.00 6,239,901.46 Long-term debt paid 3,815,000.00 3,768,709.08

TOTAL USES OF CASH 60,988,527.00 40,595,941.39 Government capital grants 17,812,440.00 18,000,000.00 Other sources (excl. internal operations) 6,400,000.00 9,302,758.69 Increase in long-term debt 16,705,000.00 16,813,120.36 TOTAL SOURCES OF CASH 40,917,440.00 44,115,879.05 CONTRIBUTION TO WORKING CAPITAL – 20,071,087.00 3,519,937.66

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Head office 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses RCS Nanterre B 440 546 018

Telephone +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88

Mailing address BP 17 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex

Website www.irsn.fr

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