LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT ASNR’s radiological monitoring of the environment is based on several systems: ∙Remote sensing networks, which measure radioactivity in real time and are designed to provide an alert in the event of an abnormal radiological situation that could, if necessary, lead to measures being taken to protect the population, particularly in the event of a serious accident. The Téléray network permanently measures ambient gamma radiation in the air using 481 beacons distributed throughout France (metropolitan and overseas) and the Hydrotéléray network has seven stations measuring gamma radiation in water located on the main French rivers receiving effluent from nuclear facilities. ∙The networks of continuous air and water sampling stations complement the Téléray and Hydrotéléray networks and provide more accurate information on the levels of radioactivity in the air and in watercourses. Where necessary, smaller-scale anomalies can be detected through laboratory analyses that enable the expected detection limits to be reached. To this end, ASNR has sampling facilities for the atmospheric and aquatic compartments into which discharges from facilities deployed in the vicinity of nuclear installations are released. The OPERA-air network comprises 52 stations that continuously sample atmospheric aerosols on filters, which are then analysed in the laboratory. These stations are equipped with an additional device for sampling gaseous radioactive iodine, which would be triggered in the event of a nuclear accident. This atmospheric monitoring is supplemented by a network of 40 rainwater sampling devices located near and far from the nuclear facilities. The network of hydrocollectors is made up of 26 stations that take water samples from the environment receiving discharges downstream from nuclear facilities, as well as suspended matter, in order to measure dissolved radionuclides and radionuclides bound to suspended matter in the water. ∙Periodic collection of samples: in addition to the permanent monitoring carried out by the above-mentioned networks, in order to be able to estimate the influence of the operation of nuclear installations on the environment (impact of discharges), monitoring is also based on the tracking of bioindicators taken from the terrestrial (plants, agricultural produce) and aquatic (sediments, fish, molluscs) compartments, including foodstuffs. ASNR processes and analyses these samples, which it collects itself or which are sent to it by a network of samplers (nuclear licensees, local authorities, government departments, public bodies, etc.). These samples are taken annually at several points along the coast of mainland France and overseas, in particular along the coasts of the islands and atolls of French Polynesia. Regulatory texts give ASNR the role of national reference for the measurement of radioactivity in the environment and the task of organising inter-laboratory proficiency tests. The expertise of its laboratories, which are also accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac), cover all types of analysis required, from routine monitoring to studies requiring the most advanced capabilities and implementation of the latest advances from its R&D programmes. ASNR’s metrological platform covers 3,000 m² of laboratories and includes more than 300 measuring devices, enabling around 13,000 analyses to be carried out each year. In the event of a radiological incident, the Laboratory for the Treatment and Analysis of Environmental Samples in Post-Accident Situations (LATAC), a multi-purpose platform inaugurated at the beginning of 2023, can handle many types of environmental samples, from air, water, soil, fauna, flora and foodstuffs, in complete safety and within very short timescales, with a high analysis capacity. Finally, in order to contextualise the activities measured in the vicinity of nuclear installations, reference levels are needed. These levels, which are characteristic of background radiation, vary in space and time (depending on the geology or the persistence of past fallout), which means that different reference stations are needed throughout the country, covering all environmental compartments (atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial) and a broad spectrum of radionuclides and matrices. Every year, ASNR takes more than 7,000 samples from all environmental compartments (excluding telemetry networks) and publishes more than 200,000 measurement results on the RNM website. On the basis of the nationwide radioactivity monitoring results published in the RNM and in accordance with the provisions of ASN resolution 2008-DC-0099 of 29 April 2008, as amended, ASNR regularly publishes a detailed summary of the radiological state of the French environment. The fifth edition of this summary, for the period 2021-2023, was published in December 2024. 5.2.2 – Monitoring around nuclear sites All the nuclear sites in France that produce discharges are subject to systematic environmental monitoring. This monitoring is proportionate to the environmental risks or detrimental effects of the facility, as presented in the authorisation file, particularly the impact assessment. Regulatory oversight of the environment at BNIs is adapted to each type of facility, depending on whether it is a nuclear power reactor, a plant, a research facility, a disposal facility, etc. The content of the monitoring programmes to be implemented for this purpose (measures to be carried out and frequency) is defined in the aforementioned amended ASN resolution 2013-DC-0360 of 16 July 2013, as well as in the individual requirements applicable to each facility (discharge permits or ASNR decisions governing water intakes and discharges), independently of the additional measures that licensees may take for their own monitoring purposes. This resolution obliges BNI licensees to have approved laboratories take the environmental radioactivity measurements required by the regulations. Depending on specific local features, monitoring may vary from one site to another. The licensees are responsible for monitoring the environment around their facilities. Table 12 gives examples of the monitoring performed by the licensee of an NPP and of a “fuel cycle” plant. When several facilities (whether or not BNIs) are present on the same site, joint monitoring of all these installations is possible. This has been the case, for example, on the Cadarache and Tricastin sites since 2006. These monitoring principles are supplemented in the individual requirements applicable to the facilities by monitoring measures specific to the risks inherent in the industrial processes they use. Each year, in addition to sending ASNR the monitoring results required by the regulations, the licensees transmit more than 160,000 measurements to the RNM. In addition to the monitoring carried out by the nuclear licensees, ASNR carries out monitoring in the vicinity of nuclear facilities, in order to acquire its own measurement results, where necessary using more effective metrological resources or on certain parameters not monitored by the licensees. The systems deployed by nuclear licensees and ASNR are therefore redundant or complementary, both technically and geographically. 5.3 The French national network for environmental radioactivity measurement The National Network of Environmental Radioactivity Measurements (RNM) brings together all those involved in measuring environmental radioactivity. Its main aim is to bring together and make available 166 ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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