A n nu a l Re p or t

2007

Contents
Organization.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foreword by the Director General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Interview with the Deputy Director General in chargeof defense-related missions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A short description of IRSN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
IRSN Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Activity 2007 key figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Key events 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Report and outlook

IRSN activities

CHALLENGE 2: Conducting assessments
on future facilities .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Future reactors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Deep radioactive waste repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
CHALLENGE 3: Environmental and population
exposure .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Environmental exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Transfer and behavior of radioactive substancesin the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Studies on site environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Radiation protection of workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Ensuring efficiency

CHALLENGE 5: Emergency response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
National policy .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Consolidation of emergency response organization .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Improving tools .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
About defense .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
CHALLENGE 6: Effects of chronic exposure .. . . . . . . . . . . . 70
ENVIRHOM program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Chronic risks .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
CHALLENGE 7: Protection in the medical field .. . . . . . . 74
Radiopathology .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Expertise in the medical field .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

IRSN site details (on the flap)

76

Human resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Safety and environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial Report at the back of the report

30

CHALLENGE 4: Safety of facilities andnuclear materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Protection and inspection of nuclear andsensitive materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Protection against malicious acts .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quality .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
College of experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Scientific and technical excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

16

the information, expertise, and studies they require .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
LINE 4: Be a driving force on the European andinternational scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHALLENGE 1: Safety at existing facilities .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Monitoring facilities .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Fuel safety .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Fires .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Naturally-occurring hazards .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Severe accidents .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
About defense .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Glossary

Standing advisory group meetings in 2007 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Organization chart .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Board of Directors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The Steering Committee for the Nuclear Defense Expertise
Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Scientific Council .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
LINE 1: Re-engineer the research process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
LINE 2: Optimize technical support for public authorities .. . . . 22
LINE 3: Provide other socio-economic players with

288Organization

IRSN’s expertise in nuclear

safety recognized in France, Europe,and around the world.

The year 2007 closed the first five-year cycle in the
lifetime of the Institute, the term of office definedfor members of the Board of Directors. These five
years have been marked by the noticeable effort,
definitely noticed, made by all our employees
to establish the Institute as an independent
public enterprise, while producing the requiredscientific and technical results daily, especiallyin their expert assessments. I wish to extend mythanks and recognition to all our staff for their
dedication to our public mission and the drive they
have demonstrated in an exceptionally complex
regulatory and administrative context.
Jacques REPUSSARD.

A scientific institution
recognized for what it is:France’s public expert on
nuclear and radiation risks

Beyond the functional operations implemented through IRSN’svarious units and processes, this period is best characterized by
the definition of a vast corporate project supported by steadfast commitment. This project is founded in the political visionemanating from work in Parliament, a vision that forged theinitial decision to create the Institute and inspired the definitionof its missions, as well as the strategic orientations validated
in 2006 when the first Contract of Objectives was concluded
with the government.

The corporate project has gradually taken shape throughconstructive dialogue with our employees, built on the basisof shared values, and through the development of active partnerships with major participants in nuclear safety, including
nuclear authorities, operators, Local Information Commissions,as well as major foreign partners, the European Commission,and international agencies such as the IAEA and OECD/NEA,
as defined by the law of July 2006 concerning nuclear transparency and safety.
This project has also succeeded in building a positive image of
IRSN in the media and throughout society at large, not as a
“trademark”, but as a scientific institution recognized for what
it is: France’s public expert on nuclear and radiation risks, whose2

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Turning towards the future, as our country reasserts its nuclear
strategy, and as several other nations display new ambitionsin this area, expressing their desire to acquire nuclear power
plants, IRSN is faced with a triple challenge that will drive ourforces and creativity.

First of all, the procedures enforced to keep French nuclear
facilities at the highest level of safety, requiring submittal ofsafety reports to IRSN for any construction projects or changes to nuclear facilities, are creating a growing demand forscientific expertise. If a new nuclear operator were to appear
on the scene, a competitor to EDF, this would mark a turning
point in the history of IRSN, which, from its foundation, hasabsorbed a continuously rising workload mainly by achieving
gains in productivity. New solutions would need to be found andimplemented to adjust assessment capability to meet demand,probably within a relatively short time span.

Second, in the wake of initiatives led by France, recognized for its
expertise in nuclear technology, there is a growing demand for
IRSN services coming from foreign countries (in Europe, Asia, theMiddle East, and Africa), who call on the Institute’s experienceand expertise in managing safety and radiation protection as
they invest in large nuclear projects. IRSN has more than one
reason to consider that it is of strategic importance to meet thisORGANIZATION
report and outlook

Finally, rapidly changing nuclear technology and society’s concomitant demand for the best available techniques to ensure risk
prevention and manage the consequences of accidents obliges IRSN to pursue its considerable achievements in research,working as much as possible in partnership with institutions
recognized internationally in these fields. The importance of thisgoal was emphasized recently by Jean-Louis Borloo, the Ministerof Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Territorial
Development. IRSN allocates nearly half of its financial resources to research, in compliance with the contract of objectives
signed with the government, contributing to France’s positionin the trio of OECD countries leading the research effort innuclear safety and radiation protection. A ratio of 50% may
appear high at first, but this includes the very heavy expenses
required to operate infrastructures such as nuclear reactors. It
is also necessary to keep in mind that IRSN’s research effort
is the mainstay supporting the relevance and credibility of theconsultancy services it provides to major operators throughout
France (especially in radiation protection) and worldwide. Thiseffort must be maintained on a long-term basis. Completing
consolidation of its Medium- and Long-Term Plan and forminga policy committee to advise the Board of Directors on researchmatters will help IRSN focus on those programs involving themost strategic issues and clarify the ultimate goals of researchin nuclear safety and radiation protection.

IRSN activites

As this period comes to its term, I would like to pay a tribute to
our Chairman, Jean-François Lacronique, and all the other Board
members, who have been responsible for representing IRSN in
relations with our supervisory ministries, with major customers(predominantly the ASN, the French nuclear safety authority),
and with our eminent partner, the CEA. The personal commitment of each and every member of the Board has contributed
significantly to the Institute’s consolidation.

demand, working with other organizations in scientific and technical support networks that TSOs are endeavoring to establish,
with support from the IAEA. These activities will naturally befinanced essentially by the entities requesting our services, but
the rapid growth expected implies that IRSN must promote new
senior consultants from within its own ranks. A realistic outlook,this approach nonetheless implies that IRSN must remain an
attractive choice in the persistently competitive job market forscientists and engineers in the nuclear sector.

I hope you will enjoy reading this IRSN annual report, which
we try to improve year after year to provide you with all theinformation you have come to expect, in keeping with the termsof our quality policy.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

high-quality assessments are perceived as a major component
in the credibility of the nation’s nuclear safety system. For theInstitute’s customers and partners, this quality is demonstrated not only in the service provided, but also through the ISO
9001 certification awarded in 2007, and the broad international renown achieved by IRSN. Taking this policy even further,
the Institute has engaged in a constant effort to open up tosociety. This has materialized in a rapidly growing supply of
useful information provided to the public via the Internet, as
well as greater transparency in working procedures and theirresults. Fostering openness has led us to develop professional
exchanges with experts from civil society, especially in work
accomplished through Local Information Commissions and theirfederation, the ANCLI.

Jacques REPUSSARD, Director general

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

3

Organization

Interview with

the Deputy Director Generalin charge of defense-related
missions

The Institute’s defense- and security-related activities
concern three sectors that come under direct State
supervision.

Safety and radiation protection of
military nuclear systems and secret basic
nuclear installations
This activity covers the prevention of accidents or incidents
that might affect:the twelve nuclear steam supply systems aboard submarines
or the aircraft-carrier;some sixty installations, in particular the facilities located in
the four nuclear ports and five nuclear airbases, in addition
to the industrial sites dedicated to the life cycle of nuclear
weapons and naval propulsion fuel;the transport of nuclear and/or radioactive materials usedin defense-related activities (weapons, fuel, components forsteam supply systems, waste).
IRSN contributes its high-level expertise when examining files
submitted by the Ministry of Defense or the CEA to the
Nuclear Safety Authority for defense-related matters, seeking tomaintain high safety and radiation protection standards, while
keeping in mind that this equipment serves a military purpose
and that, as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrent force, it mustmeet stringent availability requirements.
The on-going modernization of this force has led to an increased
demand for expert assessments in a number of areas: building
new submarines and preparing their weapons, adapting andupgrading aging military and industrial facilities, and dismantlingcomplex facilities over a long time period. IRSN must respondto this growing demand and, in the field of expert assessment,
this response relies primarily on competent human resources.
In carrying out its scientific and technical assessment activities,
the Institute has a dual objective:
ensure that the planned operating conditions have no impact
on safety and radiation protection, especially in the eventof change;ensure that key safety and radiation protection issues are
consistent at the national level.

4

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Physical protection of nuclear materials,
facilities and transport in France
The issue of terrorism is central to the concerns of the international community today. As the trend towards greater use
of nuclear power spreads around the world, security and safetyissues tend to converge, since risks to the population and theenvironment must be controlled, whether the initiating event
giving rise to radiological impact is due to a natural hazard, an
unintentional error, or a malicious act.
IRSN’s task is to provide unfailing technical assistance and support to public authorities in their efforts to enforce regulations
relative to the protection and control of nuclear materials,
protection of nuclear facilities and transport, and tracking ofradioactive sources.
IRSN’s experts conduct technical inspections, monitor transport
under operational conditions, and manage national accountability of nuclear materials.

Monitoring non-proliferation of nuclear
and chemical weapons in France
IRSN’s activities in this area are based on two agreements,
one signed with the CEA (on implementation of international
nuclear material inspections), and another with the Senior
Defense and Security Official at the French Ministry of Defense(on implementation of the chemical weapons ban agreement).
Under the terms of these agreements, IRSN:
provides technical assistance to French authorities to help
them honor their commitments under the terms of international treaties on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction;
assists and advises French industrial corporations subject tocompliance with international inspection measures;escorts international inspections, as delegated by the Frenchauthorities, to ensure that inspection methods are consistent
with the terms of the relevant treaties and agreements.

Michel BRIÈRE,Deputy Director General in chargeof defense-related missions

ORGANIZATION

A short description of IRSN

DirecToRS
J ean-François Lacronique, Chairman of the Boardof Directors;
Jacques Repussard, Director General;
Michel Brière, Deputy Director General, in charge of IRSN
defense-related missions;
Philippe Jamet, Deputy Director General in charge ofgeneral operations (left IRSN at the end of February 2007);Jean-Luc Pasquier, Deputy Director General(as from June 1, 2007).
Assessment and research
IRSN is the nation’s public service expert in matters involving
nuclear and radiation risks, providing assessments and conducting
research to meet the needs of public authorities.
Areas of activity
environment and response;
human radiation protection;
prevention of major accidents;
reactor safety;
safety of plants, laboratories, transportation, and waste;nuclear expert assessment relating to defense.

Workforce
IRSN employs around 1,700 people, including many specialists,
engineers, researchers, physicians, agronomists, veterinary surgeons and technicians, experts in nuclear safety and radiation
protection and in the field of controlling sensitive nuclear
materials.

report and outlook

StatusIRSN is an industrial and commercial undertaking (EPIC), placed
under the supervision of five ministries: the Ministry of Ecology,
Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning; the Ministry for the Economy, Industry and Employment;
the Ministry for Higher Education and Research; the Ministryof Defense; and the Ministry for Health, Youth, Sport, and theVoluntary Sector.

2007 Budget
revenue: €299 million;
dexpenditure: 266 million, including €28 million
in equipment investments.

SITES
North Region: 1,254 employees

Octeville-Cherbourg
Le Vésinet
SaclayFontenay-aux-Roses
Orsay

Tournemire
Agen
Les Angles - Avignon

IRSN activites

Founding the Institute
IRSN was set up under Article 5 of French Act No. 2001398
of May 9, 2001 and by implementing Order No. 2002-254 ofFebruary 22, 2002. This Order was amended on April 7, 2007
following the adoption on June 13, 2006 of the Act on nuclear
transparency and safety.

Pierrelatte
Cadarache

La Seyne-sur-Mer
Mahina (Tahiti)

South-east Region: 320 employees

ENSURING EFFICIENCYFour lines of development
re-engineer the research process;optimize technical support for public authorities;
provide other socio-economic stakeholers with
the information, expertise, and studies they require;
be a driving force on the European and international scene.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

5

Organization

IRSN Missions
Order No. 2002-254 of February 22, 2002, amended on April 7, 2007, relative to IRSN, set out seven missions for the Instituteconcerning radiation protection and nuclear safety. These are organized into three fields, as described below.
Research and public service missions
Defining and implementing national and international research programs
IRSN defines and conducts research programs aimed at maintaining and developing the skills necessary for expert
appraisals in its fields of activity. It either carries them out itself or entrusts them to other French or foreign research
institutes. Some programs are carried out within a European or international framework.
Contribution to training in radiation protection
As an establishment carrying out research and expert assessments, IRSN has a duty to contribute to teaching in its fieldof expertise: nuclear safety and security, and radiation protection. The radiation protection training courses it organizes
are directed at professionals working in the health sector and people exposed to hazards in their jobs.
Continuous monitoring in the field of radiation protection
IRSN carries out continuous monitoring in the field of radiation protection by assisting in monitoring environmental
radiation, managing and processing dosimetric data for workers exposed to ionizing radiation and managing the inventory of ionizing radiation sources.
Contributing to public information and transparency
IRSN informs the public of nuclear and radiation risks via publications, the Internet, exhibitions and conferences, etc.

technical Support and assistance for public authorities
Technical support with regard to nuclear and radiation risks
IRSN provides technical support to the appropriate public authorities in the field of nuclear and radiation risks. Its scope
covers civilian nuclear facilities, facilities classified as secret, the transportation of radioactive substances, the applicationof treaties on controlling nuclear and sensitive materials, and the physical protection and safety of industrial and medical
applications.
Operational support in the event of a crisis or radiation emergency
In the event of an incident or accident involving ionizing radiation sources, IRSN suggests technical, public health andmedical measures for public authorities, aimed at protecting the population, workers and the environment, and restoringsafety at the facilities.

Contractual expert appraisal, research and measurement services
Carrying out expert appraisals, research and studies for public or private organizations
IRSN carries out the services of appraisal, research and studies - analysis, measurement and dosing – under contract
for French, European and international organizations in the public and private sectors. The Institute also provides thirdparty expert assessments for industrial operators of classified facilities for the protection of the environment outside
the nuclear sector.

6

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

ORGANIZATION

Activity 2007 key figures
The Institute’s activities
IRSN’s intellectual assets

47% of IRSN budget devoted

143 bilateral agreements with

16 french patents in force

to these activities

research and appraisal organizations(including 1 co-owned with the CEA)

141 scientific publications

10.94%

33

countries concerned by these
agreements

72 international projects in progressTechnical support for
public authorities

724 technical notices to the ASN,

human resources

1,686 people on permanent

129 technical notices to the ASN

contracts on 31/12/2007 (including
90 assigned to the ASN or otherinstitutions)50.07%

440 technical notices to the ASN

12 patents in force
abroadOperation/
expenditure
195 softwareinvestment
and databases listed
Operation with the CEA(24 of which are co-owned
and one of which isInvestment
placed with the APP(a software protection agency) and with
VUEZ (Slovakia))

89.06%

the nuclear safety authority (excluding
defense-related activities)

for defense-related activities

Service contracts

35

third-party appraisals or critical
39.85%
Frenchresources
analyses of hazard
studies(aside fromfinancing law)

5.63%
1.20% 3.25%

The budget and its breakdown

Public
EDF
Areva
CEA
Others

3.13%

10.94%

Operation/
investment expenditure

27.76%

Financing sources
LOLF 189 program subsidy
LOLF 212 program subsidy
French resources (aside from financing law)
Foreign resources

Operation
Investment

1.04%
68.07%

89.06%

5.63%
1.20% 3.25%

14,51%

French resources(aside fromfinancing law)37,41%

Public
EDF
Areva
CEA
OthersForeign resources
23,79%

19,11%

5,18%

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

39.85%

50.07%

report and outlook

International activities

CCE
Riskaudit
GRS
NRC
Others

Nota : For further information, see detailed analysis of these items in the Financial Report.
3.13%

27.76%IRSN activites

research

Financing sources
LOLF 189 program subsidy
LOLF 212 program subsidy
French resources (aside from financing law)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

7

Organization8

to the cases of overexposure that
occurred there between 2001 and 2006.
The report was submitted to
the Minister on March 23.
www.irsn.org

IRSN published a report on severe
accidents and put it online. Producedin collaboration with the CEA andwith support from EDF, the document
reviews current knowledge and research
work carried out in France and abroad.
It shows that significant uncertainties
remain concerning a number ofphenomena at the center of ongoingexperimentation programs.
(see Challenge 1)
www.irsn.org

visited IRSN’s Cadarache site as partof an initiative to develop cooperation
between the two organizations.

Mayto the IAEA’s efforts to promote
the security of nuclear materials andfacilities to Anita Nilsson, Director of
the IAEA Office of Nuclear Security.

14
Having joined the ICSI (Institute for2
CNRS Research Director, Dominique
Gobin, was appointed as Director of
the Institute’s Department for Scientificand Technical Assessment and Quality.

an Industrial Safety Culture), IRSN

22-24

appointed its representative on the

IRSN organized the 2s international

personnel at the Phenix facility.

steering and evaluation committee

conference of ESARDA in Aix-en-of the organization, which was set up

Provence. ESARDA is an association

14 and 15

in Toulouse following the accident at
the AZF plant. IRSN is particularlyinterested in the ICSI’s multidisciplinary
make-up and the participatory approachit adopts.

of European organizations devoted
to research and development in
the field of nuclear non-proliferation andthe related international inspections.
At the conference, attended by nearly
300 specialists, IRSN presented eight
publications giving an account of
its experience in the field of nuclear
materials control.

awareness seminar for operating

ERICA (Environmental Risk from

Ionizing Contaminants: Assessment andManagement), a European FP6 project
organized by IRSN, came to an end.
The goal of the project was to set up
a method for assessing the environmental
risk associated with radionuclides.

26
Jacques Repussard, Director
General of IRSN and Marie-Claude
Dupuis, Director General of Andra,

the French national radioactive waste
management agency, signed
a general memorandum of understanding
to organize scientific and technicalcooperation between the two organizations.

5
The IAEA Board of Governors approved
the appointment of Philippe Jamet

as Director of the Agency’s Nuclear
Installation Safety Department.

8

April

February

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

IRSN presented its contributions

IRSN organized a human-factor

MarchPeter B. Lyons, Commissioner of the

13

16

9
IRSN mobilized its emergency
response center, at the ASN’s request,

ministries its results for 2006

compared with the objectives specified
in the Government-IRSN contract ofobjectives.

The IAEA, with IRSN support,organized an international conferencein Aix-en-Provence on the challenges
facing Technical Safety Organizations(TSOs) in their efforts to reinforce

nuclear safety. The conference provided
the Institute with an opportunity toshare with the rest of the world its viewson the purpose, tasks and conditions
governing the efficiency of TSOs andto discuss the challenges involved.

25
IRSN renewed its cooperationagreements for another five years

with the Chinese nuclear safety
authority (NNSA) and its technicalsupport organization (NSC).

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

IRSN submitted to its supervisory

23-27

Bertrand, tasked IRSN with
Epinal Hospital (Vosges), in response

22 may-15 june

to monitor the development of thesituation at the Dampierre NPP affectedby two electrical failures.

The Minister of Health, Xavier
assessing radiotherapy practices at

8

27

July

January

Key events 2007

11
IRSN obtained ISO 9001 certification
for all its sites and activities, including

its research laboratories.

11
The IRSN radiotoxicological medical
analysis laboratory received COFRAC

accreditation for measuring X-ray andgamma emitters in urine samples.

ORGANIZATION
26

IRSN participated in the French

IRSN signed a cooperation

Environment Round Table (Grenelle

framework agreement withde l’Environnement) as part of Groupthe Armed Forces Medical Corps.

5: “Constructing ecologically-responsible
democracy: institutions and governance”.

Under the agreement, the two parties
will pool their resources to improve
the organization of emergency response
and treatment of people in the eventof radiological or nuclear incidents.

6

IRSN moved its Head Office fromClamart to Fontenay-aux-Roses(Hauts-de-Seine). Adjacent to

the Institute’s chief site, the new
offices accommodate more than
1,000 operational and functional
department employees.

framework agreement was signed by
IRSN, GRS and BNRA, the Bulgarian

Nuclear Regulatory Authority, fora safety assessment of the Belene plantin Bulgaria.

The Atomic Energy Committee,
co-chaired by the Minister of Ecology

was signed with South Africa’s National

15

A nuclear safety cooperation

22

A memorandum of understanding

Nuclear Regulator, allowing it to benefit
from IRSN expertise.

2
report and outlook

July-October

The IAEA conference in Aix-en-Provence

November

Signature of the framework agreement for cooperation
with the French Army health services.

October

August

IAEA Board of Governors.

and the Minister of Research,

15

consolidates IRSN’s research role

Michèle Froment-Védrine,in the field of nuclear safety andDirector General of the Frenchradiation protection. Jean-Louis Borloo
and Valérie Pécresse decided to set up a
steering committee devoted to research
into nuclear safety and radiation
protection, working with the IRSN Boardof Directors and open to “stakeholders”,
based on the French Environment Round
Table model.

Agency for Environmental andOccupational Health Safety (AFSSET)
and Jacques Repussard, Director
General of IRSN, signeda four-year
framework agreement on collaboration

and appraisal activities.

16
IRSN submitted to the Frenchappointed General Secretary of
IRSN. Mr. Chérié was formerly
Deputy Director in charge the Strategy,

Development and External Relations
Department and Head of
the International Relations Division.

7
Following the discovery of anotherseries of radiotherapy incidents at
Epinal Hospital, French Minister of

Health, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin,
asked IRSN to assess the possible clinicalimpact on patients treated at thehospital between 1989 and 2000.

21
A conference was held in Brussels
to launch the European Technology
Platform for nuclear fission.

The platform brings together the
principal stakeholders (industry, researchand technical support organizations)concerned with long-term researchstrategy in the field.

exposure cases that occurred in April
at the public hospital in Toulouse.

The assessment aimed to search for any
technical reasons that could explain theaccelerator used anomaly and to checkthat the calibration protocols compliedwith the manufacturer’s procedures andapplicable recommendations.

17
Jacques Repussard, Director
General of IRSN and André-Claude
Lacoste, Chairman of the French
Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN),

signed a new five-year frameworkagreement concerning IRSN’s technicalsupport activities for the ASN.

22-26

12

IRSN activites

Jean-Bernard Chérié wasa preliminary assessment report on

A consortium was set up by the
BRGM (France’s leading public
institution in the earth science field),
IRSN, Geoloski Zavod Sloveijne(the Geological Survey of Slovenia)
and Zavod za Gradbenistvo Slovenije(the Slovenian National Building
and Civil Engineering Institute).
The consortium was selected to carryout geological surveys and a probabilistic
study of the seismic hazard in Slovenia
in connection with plans to build
a second reactor on the Krško NPP site.

19
Riskaudit, the IRSN-GRS subsidiary,
had its ISO 9001 certification

confirmed following the December 2006
annual audit.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

1

December

September

Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN)

IRSN took part in the 15th PATRAM(Packaging and Transportation ofRadioactive Materials) symposium in
the United States. IRSN received the
AOKI Award for the best poster, for its
paper on the quality of safety analysis
reports submitted by applicants.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

9

Organization

Standing advisory groupmeetings in 2007

27

Examination of site protection
against external flooding
See Challenge 1 Naturally-occurring
hazards

Safety examination on the CERN Large
Hadron Collider (LHC) and its injectors
See Challenge 1 Monitoring facilities

28

19 and 26

24

Examination of the amendment toFundamental Safety Rule RFS III.2.f
on the deep geological disposal ofradioactive waste
See Challenge 2 Deep disposal facilities

Safety examination of thedecommissioning procedure on the
Bugey 1 reactor, now shut down (INB 45)

Examination of the preliminary safety
analysis report for the Jules Horowitz
Reactor (RJH)
See Challenge 2 Future reactors

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

NovemberExamination of the safety analysis report
before the final commissioning of the
ATALANTE facility (INB 148, Marcoule)

OctoberMay

Examination of the “safety cost-benefit
method” presented by EDF
See Challenge 1 Monitoring facilities

23

20, 21 and 28

10

5

June

Examination of the preliminary safety
analysis report for the MAGENTA project(Cadarache)

11
Seismic report and inspection of
the High Flux Reactor (INB 67, Grenoble)
See Challenge 1 Naturally-occurring
hazards

28
Safety review of the liquid effluent
management zone of the STELLA facility(INB 35, Saclay)

29
Examination of the preliminary safety
analysis report for the Jules Horowitz
Reactor (RJH)
See Challenge 2 Future reactors

December

21 et 22

July

March

In 2007, IRSN assessment reports were presented and discussed at the meetings of the following
standing groups: standing group for nuclear reactors, standing group for basic nuclear installations
apart from radioactive waste disposal facilities and standing group for radioactive waste disposal
facilities.

19
Safety review of workshops at the STE
3 facility (INB 118, La Hague) and the
project for conditioning sludge produced
by STE 2
See Challenge 1 Monitoring facilities

20
Examination of French and foreign PWR
operating experience feedback overthe period 2003-2005 (1st meeting)ORGANIZATION

Organization chart(December, 2007)

General Management
Jacques Repussard,
Director General

Jean-François Lacronique,
Chairman

General Secretariat
Jean-Bernard CHÉRIÉ, General Secretary• Financial affairs• Human resources• Commercial relations and legal support• Asset management and corporate services• Information systems administration

Michel Brière,

Deputy Director General in charge of IRSN’s defenserelated missions

Jean-Luc PASQUIER,

report and outlook

Board of Directors

Deputy Director General

Operational divisions
Nuclear Defense ExpertiseJérôme Joly, Director• Defense safety assessment• Nuclear facility security• Implementation of international inspections• Technical support and studies

Environment and Response

Strategy, Development
and External Relations
Michel Bouvet, Director• Research programs• Expert appraisal programs• Openness to society• International relations• Secretariat for Standing Groups

Scientific and Technical Assessment
and Quality

Didier Champion, Director• Study of radionuclide behavior in ecosystems• Study and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment• Analysis of risks related to the geosphere• Sample processing and metrology for the environment• Radiation protection response and support• Emergency situations and crisis organization

Prevention of Major Accidents
Michel Schwarz, Director• Studies and experimental research on accidents• Experimental instrumentation and engineering• Fuel studies and modeling in accident situations• Fire, corium, and containment studies and modeling

Dominique GOBIN, Director

Human Radiation Protection• Teaching and training in radiation protection, nuclear safety
and security• Assessment and scientific activities• Quality management• Hygiene, safety and environmental protection• Scientific and technical knowledge engineering• Scientific information resources• Radiation protection studies and expertise• Radiobiology and epidemiology• External dosimetry• Internal dosimetry

Communications

Martial Jorel, Director

Marie-Pierre Bigot, Director• In-house communications• Information and media relations• Programs and public relations

IRSN activites

Functional divisions

Patrick Gourmelon, Director

Reactor Safety• Pressurized water reactors• Gas-cooled, fast-neutron and experimental reactors• Equipment and structures• Systems and risks• Thermal-hydraulics, core and operation of facilities• Severe accidents and radiological consequences• Human factors

Jean-Claude DALE, Accountant

Yves NORMAND, Central Security Officer

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Safety of Plants, Laboratories, Transportand WasteThierry Charles, Director• Fuel cycle transportation and facilities• Laboratories, irradiators, accelerators and decommissioned reactors• Radioactive waste• Industrial risks, fire and containment• Criticality• Air dispersion of pollutants

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

11

Organization

Board of Directors
Missions
In accordance with Order no. 2002-254 of February 22, 2002, amended on April 7, 2007, the Board
deals with IRSN business through its proceedings. More specifically, it discusses the general conditions
governing the organization and running of the establishment, the Institute’s programs and the annual
report. In terms of finance, it approves the budget, decisions involving changes, year-end financial
statements and income appropriation.
IRSN’s Board of Directors is made up of 24 members:
10 government representatives
Six advisory members, appointed by Order and chosen for their skills in the Institute’s areas ofactivity, including a Member of Parliament or a Senator from the Parliamentary Office for theevaluation of scientific and technological options
Eight elected IRSN staff representatives.
The Board of Directors proposes one of its members as Chairman, who is appointed by Order basedon the Supervisory Ministers’ report.
The term of office for members of the Board of Directors is five years, which can be renewed only
once for the six advisory members.
The Board of Directors meets at least four times a year.

Composition (December 31, 2007)

Government representatives:
Jocelyne BOUDOT, Assistant Director for the Managementof Environmental Risk, representing the Minister of Health;Jean-Denis COMBREXELLE, Director of Labor Relations,representing the Minister of Employment;
Dominique GOUTTE, Director of the Department
for Energy, Transport, Environment, Natural Resources,
representing the Ministry of Research;
Jean HAMIOT, Weapons inspector, in charge of missions
relating to nuclear security, representing the Ministerof Defense;

Pascal MATHIEU, Head of the Major Risks Office atthe Department for Defense and Civil Security, representing
the Minister of Civil Security;

12

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Guillaume SAINTENY, Director of Economic Studies andEnvironmental Assessment, representing the Ministerof Ecology and Sustainable Development;
Cyrille VINCENT, Branch manager for the nuclear
industry, General Directorate for Energy and Raw Materials,
representing the Minister of Industry;
The representative of the Budget Department has yet tobe appointed;

Marcel JURIEN de la GRAVIÈRE, in charge of nuclear safety
and radiation protection for defense-related activities
and facilities;
Stéphane NOËL, Head of the nuclear safety and radiation
protection mission.

Jean-François LACRONIQUE, Professor of Medicine,nominated by the Minister of Health, Chairman of
the Board of Directors;

Claude BIRRAUX, President of the Parliamentary Officefor the evaluation of scientific and technological options;Jean-Marc CAVEDON, Director of the Division for Research

ORGANIZATION

Advisory members:

When Annie Sugier retired in 2007, the IRSN Boardof Directors, at the initiative of Member of Parliament
Claude Birraux, paid tribute to her contribution toradiation protection and transparency in the nuclear
field.

In the words of...

into Nuclear Energy and Safety at the Paul Scherrer Institutein Switzerland, nominated by the Minister of Research;

Jean RANNOU, Air Force General, nominated by
the Minister of Defense.

Staff representatives
Mireille ARNAUD, Hervé BOLL, Betty CATANIA,
Jean-Marc DORMANT, Thierry FLEURY,
François JEFFROY, Dominique MARTINEAU,
Xavier MOYA.

Ex officio or associate members
Laurent MICHEL, Director of Pollution and Risk Prevention
and Government Commissioner;
Daniel METAYER, State Controller;
Jacques REPUSSARD, Director General;
Michel BRIÈRE, Deputy Director General in chargeof IRSN’s defense-related missions;Jean-Claude DALE, Accountant;Philippe BOURACHOT, Works Committee Secretary;
André-Claude LACOSTE, Chairman of the French Nuclear
Safety Authority.

report and outlook

Maurice LAURENT, former French National Assembly Headof Department, nominated by the Minister of Industry;Advisor to IRSN’s Director
General“I took this tribute to be a message addressedto IRSN’s experts to encourage them toreconcile competence with a more open
attitude to society. That’s what guided me
in my career. Having worked at the CEA in
waste research and then in nuclear facility
decommissioning, my first task was to acquire
specific scientific knowledge in radiation
protection – a field that was quite new to me.
When my foreign colleagues elected me to
the Main Commission of the ICRP, I saw it asa sign that I had really become part ofthe international community of experts.
My appointment by the government
as Chairperson of the Nord Cotentin
Radioecology Group, a pluralistic expert group,
not only marked a milestone in my personal
career, it also marked the beginning of IRSN’s
initiative to open up to society.
This group stimulated scientific debate bybringing together various associations,industry and experts to consider the impact of
nuclear facilities. It was a novel, socially awareand collective initiative that led to the creationof a second group, this time focusing on uranium
mines. When IRSN was created, a special
division was set up, devoted to «openness tosociety» to reinforce pluralistic expert activities.

IRSN activites

of Industrial Environments and Hazards, nominated by
the Minster of Ecology and Sustainable Development;

Annie Sugier,

Our involvement in technical issues should notallow us to overlook the fact that we are alsopart of society and have a role to play. This
led me to give special attention to the issueof gender equality and I wrote up a report on
this for the Minister of Women’s Rights. I also
initiated the Institute’s Animal Experimentation
Ethics Committee, which makes sure thateverything possible is done to minimize animal
suffering.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURE EFFICIENCY

Georges LABROYE, Director General of the Institute13

Organization

The Steering Committee

for the Nuclear Defense Expertise
Division
Missions
The Steering Committee for the Nuclear Defense Expertise Division (DEND) at IRSN examines this
Division’s program of activities before it is submitted to the Institute’s Board of Directors. It is consulted
when the Board of Directors is called upon to make decisions relating specifically to the organization
or running of this Division. It also guides the Board of Directors in this area.
The committee is made up of 10 members. It has met 16 times since it was set up in 2003. It met threetimes in 2007.

Composition (December 31, 2007)

President
Emmanuel Sartorius, Senior Defense and Security
Official at the Economy, Finance and Employment;

Marcel Jurien de la Gravière, in charge of nuclear
safety and radiation protection for defense-related activities
and facilities;

Captain Philippe Coindreau, representing theadministrative Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense;

Rosine Couchoud, representing the Director of Strategic
Affairs, Security and Disarmament at the Ministry of Foreignand European Affairs;

Brigadier-General Jean-François Bacherot, nuclear
weapons inspector;

Serge Poulard, advisory member;

Rear-Admiral Georges Mouton, representative of
the Armed Forces Chief of Staff;

Jean-Baptiste Fleutot, advisory member.

Engineer General Jean Hamiot, representing the DGA,
the French defense procurement agency;

14

Emmanuel Rousselot, representing the Budget Director;

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Chief Medical Officer of the French armed forces

ORGANIZATIONThe Scientific COUNCIL

report and outlook

Missions
IRSN has a Scientific Council whose responsibilities are defined in Order no. 2002-254, dated
February 22, 2002, amended on April 7, 2007. The Council expresses its opinion on IRSN programs,
assesses results and can make recommendations on the Institute’s future activities. Its opinions andrecommendations are submitted to the Board of Directors and the Institute’s supervisory ministries.
It expresses an opinion on the Institute’s Annual Report and can be consulted by the Chairman of theBoard or by the Supervisory Ministers on any subject within its fields of expertise. Its advice may besought on any issue or operation to which IRSN is committed.
In 2007, the Scientific Council held two plenary meetings, one in May and one in November.
It also began to work on two specific assessments in 2007, concerning:the Institute’s research work on radiopathology and treatment of irradiation victims;
the role of global tests in simulating reactor accidents.
In each case, the assessment committees set up are composed of Scientific Council members andoutside personalities. The assessments should be completed during the first half of 2008.

IRSN activites

The Scientific Council is made up of twelve members chosen for their scientific and technical skills
and appointed for five years by a joint order from the Supervisory Ministers (Order of June 8, 2004,
amended by the Order of April 25, 2007). Four members were replaced during the first quarter of
2007.

Composition (December 31, 2007)

Institute of Fluid Mechanics, on the proposal of the Ministerof Research;

Bernard Sevestre, Engineer General for Armaments, Deputy
Director at the CEA, on the proposal of the Minister of Defense;

Pierre Laroche, Chief Medical Officer of the French Armed
Forces and Head of the Medical Division of the Armed Forces’
Radiation Protection Department, on the proposal of the
Minister of Defense;

Ethel-Esther Moustacchi, Scientific Director for
the Atomic Energy High Commissioner, on the proposal of
the Minister of Ecology;
Victor Teschendorff, Head of Department at
Gesellschaft für Anlagen und Reaktorsicherheit GmbH (GRS,
Germany), on the proposal of the Minister of Ecology;

André Aurengo, Professor of Medicine and Headof Department at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, on the proposalof the Minister of Health;

Dietrich Averbeck, CNRS Research Director, Radiation
Protection Manager in the Curie Institute Research Division,on the proposal of the Minister of Health;George Yadigaroglu, Professor of Nuclear Engineering
at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, on the proposalof the Minister of Industry;

André Pineau, Professor at the Paris Ecole des Mines,on the proposal of the Minister of Industry;

Philippe Leconte, Physicist, former Director of the CEA’s
radioactive waste management research program,on the proposal of the Minister of Research;
Pierre Catilina, a doctor specializing in occupational
pathology and member of the French committee
on occupational diseases, on the proposal of the Ministerof Labor;

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

ChairmanMichel Quintard, CNRS Research Director at the Toulouse

Jean-Claude André, Scientific Director of the INRS,
the French national research and safety institute,on the proposal of the Minister of Labor.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

15

IRSN in 2007

Report andoutlook

16

I

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

ORGANIZATION
Introduction

LINE

LINE

2

Optimize technical support
for public authorities

3

Provide other socio-economic
players with the information,
expertise, and studies they require4

Be a driving force on the European
and international scene

page 20

page 22IRSN activites

LINE

1

Re-engineer the research
process

page 24

page 26

Training

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

LINE

report and outlook

page 18

page 28

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

17

Introduction

The strategic
approach for

implementing IRSN missions

At a time when the nuclear sector is seeing a revival around the world and ionizing radiation
applications are being used more frequently and in an ever wider range of areas, IRSN isincreasingly concerned with guaranteeing the safety of existing and future nuclear facilities
and promoting radiation protection, especially in the medical field.

While the year 2006 was marked by changes in French
nuclear safety and security laws, 2007 saw IRSN focus its
attention on its strategic policy and consolidating its tools for
managing its contract of objectives with the government.

An eventful year at home and abroad
On November 22, 2007, the Atomic Energy Committee
held a meeting on research into nuclear safety and radiation protection in France. IRSN took the opportunity topresent the main lines and organizational structure of its
research activities and, in particular, its strategy regarding
experimental resources. At the end of the meeting, which
confirmed the Institute’s role in nuclear safety and radiation

protection research, the Ministers of Ecology and Research
decided to set up a steering committee devoted to research
into nuclear safety and radiation protection to advise IRSN’s Board of Directors in the area. The committee will be
open to “stakeholders” following the French Environment
Round Table model.
Another key event in 2007 was, in fact, the Environment
Round Table, to which IRSN contributed as an expert inrisk prevention. Although the Round Table did not address
nuclear issues, the Institute’s experience and initiatives
to open up to society, involve stakeholders and promotepluralistic expertise, not to mention its policy of research insupport of public policy-making, were acknowledged.

In the words of...

Claude Birraux,
President of the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluationof Scientific and Technological Choices”For the IRSN to accomplish its expert
assessments properly, it must have theopportunity to put newly gained knowledge
into practice.
It is therefore essential for IRSN to maintaina high level of research and pass its knowledge
on to young teams in order to gain and keep
the trust of authorities and the public.
This was clearly illustrated at the radiotherapy
hearing organized on November 15, 2007 by
the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluationof Scientific and Technological Choices,18

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

in which IRSN took part alongside a numberof important figures from the medical world
and other institutions.
The purpose of the hearing was to present new
radiotherapy technologies, their contribution
to cancer treatment, and the procedures
implemented to ensure the quality and safetyof treatment. It also enhanced awarenessof the importance of radiation protection,
radiological monitoring, and nuclear safety.”

ORGANIZATIONIn the words of...

On the international stage, the work carried out to set up
a European “fission” platform and the IAEA conference on
the role of technical safety organizations (TSOs) confirmed
the role these organizations had to play in the platform.
It was also demonstrated that technical appraisals on risk
prevention by at least two organizations were required
for all projects.

Implementation of management tools
The first progress report on the contract of objectives was
submitted to the Supervisory Ministers in 2007, in accordance with the Institute’s undertakings. The report setsout results obtained, alongside the objectives stipulated
in the contract.
In addition to this, the Institute’s teams set about preparing the Medium- and Long-Term Plan (MLTP), the aim ofwhich is to define the resources required to take up thechallenges mentioned in the contract of objectives. The
MLTP provides a long-term view of the Institute’s activities,
based on the main lines of strategy defined in the contractof objectives. It is one of IRSN’s key management tools.
Lastly, the annual activity program, submitted to IRSN’s
Board of Directors every year, was changed in 2007 tobring the presentation of projects for 2008 into line with
the MLTP and the contract of objectives.

Chairperson of Environment
Round Table Group 5“Constructing ecologicallyresponsible democracy”“In view of the seriousness of sustainable
development issues, the public decisionmaking process must be overhauled
and real meaning given to the notion of
ecologically-responsible democracy.
It is now crucial to ensure that everythingis done to promote a clearer understandingof these issues that are of direct concern
to citizens and consumers. The publicdecision-making process must be geared
to this objective by making informationand expert appraisal more readily
accessible, promoting public debate andconsulting stakeholder organizations.
IRSN has already begun this work.
It is against this backdrop that accessto expert appraisals built on scientificprecision and a multidisciplinary approach
really comes into its own. By its very
nature, pluralistic appraisal sparks
debate and presents issues from various
perspectives that should be consideredduring the decision-making process.
It was with this in mind that the group
recommended setting up a nation-wide
framework for pluralistic appraisal –to raise the quality of the existing appraisal
system and make it more democratic.
At the same time, companies withan environmental impact must also
promote sustainable development andincorporate it into their governance.”

report and outlook

Following the irradiation accident that occurred at Epinal
Hospital (see Challenge 7), IRSN specialist teams werecalled in by the public authorities to appraise the situation,
drawing on the latest results of the Institute’s research.
An event of this type, occurring on such an unprecedented
scale, highlights how expert appraisal and research must
work together and interact.

Nicole NotAt,

IRSN activites

At the Environment Round Table, IRSN intervened
as the expert in risk prevention.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

All the activities formed part of the Institute’s quality
initiative, which was rewarded in July 2007 by ISO 9001
certification for all IRSN sites and activities.

Michel BOUVET,
Director of Strategy, Development,
and External Relations Division

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

19

LINE

1234
Re-engineer the research process

2007, a decisive year
for research
Apart from the progress made in the Institute’s research activities, 2007 also saw IRSN
confirm its research objectives and strategies, propose new management tools for researchin the field of safety and radiation protection, and reach decisions concerning the future of its
experimental resources.

Research management tools
IRSN made efforts to further clarify its research activities
in 2007. Its activities cover a very wide range of fields,from the mechanical behavior of materials to cell biology
and human factors. The many partnerships set up as partof national and international programs have led to thecreation of program-specific management bodies.
In particular, the Institute presented the underlying principles and objectives of all its research programs to the Atomic
Energy Committee on November 22, 2007, evoking therelated issues and explaining how the different management
tools worked together. Ministers Jean-Louis Borloo and Valérie Pécresse, convinced that the Institute has a vital roleto play on the research scene, decided to set up a steeringcommittee for research that will work hand in hand with

IRSN’s Board of Directors. They also expressed the wish that
the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) should be kept
regularly informed of progress and results in research in thefield of nuclear safety and radiation protection.

The future of experimental resources
The nuclear and radiological fields are about to enter a periodof far-reaching technological progress. This, together withbudgetary restrictions, means that IRSN must choose its
research programs carefully if it is to acquire the knowledge
and skills so vital for its appraisal activities in the future.
Within this context, the Institute believes it will need tostep up its research activities considerably in areas such as
I&C software reliability, human and organizational factors
and the properties of certain materials, for example.

In the words of...

Nathalie Messer,
Coordinator for IRSN Safety Research Programs

11%of program
funding comesfrom external
revenue.
(15% in 2006)

20“The decisions taken by the Atomic Energy
Committee on November 22 are the resultof an IRSN study on the future of French
experimental resources and, more especially,
the CABRI and PHEBUS reactors.
These reactors belong to the CEA and areavailable for use by IRSN, which bears all
the related costs.
Large-scale renovation work has begun on
CABRI in preparation for the CABRI-CIP
international program. Although costs are
somewhat higher than expected, it does seemI IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

essential to continue renovation work on
this experimental reactor, which is used forstudying the behavior of fuel in the event ofa reactivity accident.
An international group of experts has
investigated the various types of work forwhich the PHEBUS reactor might be useful.
Following this investigation, and in view of
the reactor’s operating costs, continued operation
does not seem justified by currently planned
test projects, especially since other facilities
could be adapted to carry out such tests.”

ORGANIZATIONIn the words of...

Laurent Michel,
Government Commissioner

report and outlook

At the same time, it must maintain its scientific and technical skills in other areas relating to its appraisal activities.
During the meeting, the Atomic Energy Committee reacheda consensus on the following points proposed by IRSN:
	t he CEA should continue to make the CABRI reactor
available in the long term, which implies continuing its
renovation in preparation for the CABRI-CIP international
program;	operation of the PHEBUS reactor should cease under the
CEA/IRSN agreement, even though it has proven to be aunique and valuable instrument for studying core cooling
accidents in water reactors;	the Appareillage B facility should continue to be used forthe qualification of criticality computing tools;
	IRSN will no longer use the SILENE reactor for research
into criticality accidents.

IRSN activites

CABRI reactor: pursuing renovation.

“We have assigned IRSN an importanttask in asking it to prepare a Mediumand Long-Term Plan, or MLTP. It is a taskthat will channel the Institute’s activities
in keeping with its missions and must be
sustained over time. As supervisory
bodies, we are extremely attentive tothe preparation of this plan, which should
be completed some time in 2008. Amongother things, we expect the MLTP tobe consistent with IRSN’s contract ofobjectives and annual activity programand provide a concerted, strategic viewof research and appraisal activities.
For example, today’s research projects
must serve tomorrow’s appraisal activities.
Similarly, information, transparency
and opening up to the public are otherdevelopments to be fostered. Amongthe challenges facing IRSN are its ability
to bring to the fore research projects,
fields of knowledge and skills that pave
the way for the appraisal of future facilities.
Radiation protection of workers andprotection against ionizing radiation for
healthcare applications are also priority
themes.“

The work carried out for this Atomic Energy Committee
meeting will be included in the Institute’s Medium - andLong-Term Plan (MLTP), which will be adopted in 2008.

In the words of...

Gilles Bloch,
Director General of Research and Innovation from the Ministryof Higher Education and Research
appraisal organization in a booming sector.
We would like to see this seamless culture
and cross-fertilization between research andappraisal activities at the service of the publicauthorities expand. We now expect IRSN to
become part of the general move to promotescientific excellence in France and to continue
its initiative to open up to other researchorganizations at home and abroad.
This initiative should be set out in theInstitute’s Medium- and Long-Term Plan.“

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY“Both the Pact for Research and theProgramming Act restate that appraisal
activities are among the main goals of
research. This makes IRSN one of France’s
foremost institutions, for it is directly
concerned with appraisal and research.
This twofold culture, which results froma deliberate choice by the country’s lawmakers
when they set up the Institute, seeks toguarantee its high scientific standards aswell as its position as an independent expert

21

LINE

1 2 3 4
Optimize technical support for public authorities

Technical support:
adapting organization andresources

Technical support for public authorities and public service missions are one of the lines ofdevelopment set out in the contract of objectives between the French government and IRSN
for the period 2006-2009. The Institute is managing its organizational structure and resources
to adapt to changes in the nuclear and radiology field in France and to developments amongits partners (safety authorities, ministry directorates, institutes, health agencies and so on).

Adapting technical support contracts
and agreements
In 2007, IRSN signed a five-year agreement with the French
Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). The agreement provides
a framework for the rules and conditions governing theInstitute’s technical support for the ASN, which was set
up in 2006. It defines the operating framework, the typeof activity carried out, request procedures, the exchange of
information on work performed and ownership rules. It also
stipulates how the resources set aside for technical support
to the ASN are defined each year. These activities are fundedby the government grant that IRSN receives via the Ministerof Ecology, under program 189 of the constitutional bylaw
on budget acts (LOLF). An annual agreement sets out thetechnical priorities for the coming year and allocates therelated resources to the main fields of activity.
IRSN provides similar support for the DSND, the Frenchsafety authority in the defense sector. This activity isgoverned by an agreement signed in 2004, for which there
is an additional annual agreement (signed last June).
IRSN has also strengthened its ties with the AFSSET,
an agency with a growing role, by signing a four-year
framework agreement in 2007. The agreement should
promote the exchange of information and scientific cooperation between the two organizations in the field ofoccupational and environmental health. It also specifies the
support the Institute can provide in terms of appraisal.
Lastly, events on the environmental front have led IRSN
of budgetto provide technical support for the Ministry of Ecology
allocated toand, more especially, the Directorate for Pollution and Risk
technical support
Prevention (DPPR). These activities concerned regulatory
and public
service missions issues and appraisal of situations such as the radiological(44.8% en 2006) impact of facilities classified for environmental protection

45.5%

22

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

In the words of...

Michelle Agarande,
Coordinator of IRSN’s
appraisal programs“IRSN has begun talks with three healthagencies with which it works in eachof their respective specialist fields. The
talks are aimed at setting up agreements
governing collaboration requests (forappraisals or research) made by theseagencies, whether they directly concern theInstitute itself or its experts under contract.
One such agreement was signed with
the AFSSET on October 15, 2007 in thehealthcare and environmental field. Talks
on food-related radiological risks are stillin progress with the AFSSA. Negotiations
with the AFSSAPS, however, have been
postponed as this agency’s health policy
missions are being transferred to the ASN.
These talks with healthcare agencies also
reflect the growing demand for appraisals
in the public healthcare field in France.”(ICPEs) or procedures for managing contaminated soil. The
agreement with the DPPR was renewed for another five
years in these areas.

Public service missions take priority
As part of the missions assigned in the Order that created it, IRSN is responsible for continuous monitoring inOperational
external dosimetry

Passive external dosimetryRadiotoxicology
Whole-body counting

Supplier

Radiological Protection Specialist

Laboratories

Airlines

Frequency

Once a week

Once a month

Once a month

Flight crew
dose assessment

ORGANISATION

SecureInternet access

SISERI DATABASE
SecureInternet access

Access on request
Radiologicalprotection specialists

Occupational
physiciansWorkers
Work and radiation protection inspectors
Research organizations

Exposed worker dosimetry data maintained in a centralized, consolidated database.

was positive. The Institute also determined the changes tobe implemented to improve the centralization of some three
million data items transmitted every year by laboratories.
Working with the Ministry of Labor, it set up a platform toincorporate these changes into the system.

report and outlook

the field of radiation protection, in particular by managing and processing dosimetric data concerning workers
exposed to ionizing radiation. One of its priority missions for2007 was to centralize, consolidate and store the personal
dosimetric data of workers exposed to ionizing radiation(see Challenge 3). In order to meet the requirements ofthis mission, the Institute added to its resources to improve
operation of the information system on the monitoring ofoccupational exposure to ionizing radiation (SISERI). Thissystem pools the personal exposure measurements of about
a million workers for statistical or epidemiological analysis
or for reconstructing career-long radiology profiles under
the required conditions of confidentiality. Two years after
the system was set up, the report issued by IRSN in 2007

One of the main objectives is to make the system assimilate
the different types of data it encounters more quickly.
As part of its environmental radiation monitoring activities,
the Institute took stock of existing resources, then set up
a major project to change its monitoring strategy. It also
prepared a long-term plan to boost and modernize its
networks – especially its remote air-monitoring system.

In the words of...

IRSN activites

Marcel Jurien de la Gravière,
In charge of nuclear safety and radiation protection
for defense-related activities and facilities
we are able to estimate the impact on humanhealth and the environment and specify
the measures to be implemented according
to predefined scenarios. I then have all
the information I need to advise the authorities– Prefects, Ministers – as to the steps tobe taken to manage the crisis effectively.
This is a smooth-running system that draws
on the same expertise, communication anddecision-making circles as civil facilities.”

ENSURING EFFICIENCY“IRSN is our chief technical support
organization, bringing us its expertise in theevent of any crisis affecting defense-related
facilities: reactors, whether at sea or on land,
laboratories, plants, transport operations andso on. The Institute steps in as soon as it learnsof an event. We then work hand-in-handto diagnose and understand the situationand predict how it is going to develop.
Through this in-depth knowledge of the event,

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

23

LINE

1 2 3 4
Provide other socio-economic players with the information,
expertise and studies they require

Driving openness

to society

As emphasized during the Environment Round Table, public decisions involving healthand the environment are now to be examined on a pluralistic basis. IRSN has adopted thisapproach, conducting appraisal work prior to decision-making as openly as possible so thatall stakeholders in public debate – civil society, public authorities, operators – can form theirown opinion after reaping as much knowledge on the subject as possible.

In 2007 IRSN continued to develop various actions taken
in concert with civil society, and also published reference
documents for a broad public audience in order to explain
its research and assessment work to all participants inthe decision-making process, thus expanding knowledge

on these subjects throughout society at large. Working incooperation with the Local Information Commissions in the
Loire region on environmental radiological monitoring or
the Institute’s involvement in the pluralistic expert groupon uranium mines in the Limousin region are examples ofIn the words of...

François Rollinger,
In charge of the Openness to Society Division at IRSN
“The action taken in 2007 at Montbéliard
is a unique example of how we can open
our scientific and technical expertise to society,since this region has no nuclear facilities.
This initiative, taken by the CAPM
(metropolitan community of the Montbéliard
region), set out to further public awarenesson radiation protection issues, and improve
protection of the population in areas
concerning medicine and radon in homes.
We have been working with the CAPM forthree years. The main event for 2007 was
the opening ceremony for the exhibition
entitled “Did you say radiation protection?”,organized in partnership with the CEPN
(center for the study of nuclear protection
appraisals). Conceiving this project wasa very rewarding experience, where the viewsof artists and scientists came together.
The exhibition has produced offshoots
including a DVD featuring the films presented
during the exhibition, and a collaborative
project involving several high schools that

24

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

began in the fall of 2007. We would like to takethis valuable form of teamwork further witha local community, and maybe even expand
to other regions.”

ORGANISATION

Pursuing dialogue outside the InstituteIn the fall of 2007 discussions were engaged with local information committees and their federation, Ancli, concerning
their roles and expectations, including their views on sharing
expertise in a more open and transparent assessment anddecision-making process.

But for this open approach to become a long-term reality,
profound cultural changes are necessary for all persons
involved, both inside and outside the Institute. To accompany and drive these changes, IRSN has developed newforms of action.

In-house campaign
The Institute has begun preparing a charter to lay down
the principles of its commitment to opening its work tosociety. A vast in-house study was conducted throughout
2007, with the participation of over two hundred people
representing different professions within IRSN. The participants exchanged their views on the basis of real-life
experience, then debated the values and principles of action
involved in promoting openness to society. This process was
carried out using two special management instruments:
the internal stakeholders network, which analyzes lessons
learned from previous actions taken in opening up to society
and proposes new forms of action, and the Openness toSociety Committee, a management organization dedicatedto implementing the Institute’s line of strategy in this area.
The conclusions of these debates have been collected andanalyzed, and will serve as a basis in preparing the charteron openness to society.

In the words of...

Jean-Claude
Delalonde,

IRSN activites

how participants on both sides were able to learn new waysof sharing knowledge.

IRSN has also requested advice from the National Public
Debate Commission on procedures recommended to reinforce transparency in the Institute’s work.

President of Ancli“For local information commissions, the June
2006 law on nuclear transparency and safetymarked their legislative recognition anddefined the framework in which they are tofunction. Although the orders enforcing thislaw have yet to be published, it represents a
crucial step in the advancement of concerted
decision-making and the active watch thatcivil society must keep around nuclear
facilities. IRSN, as the public expert,
has an important role to play in surveillance.
Because IRSN has the scientific andtechnical knowledge that local informationcommissions so often lack, it is one of
Ancli’s major partners for nuclear safety andradiation protection matters. By helping us
provide information and training to local
information commissions and the generalpublic, IRSN contributes constructively toan open debate, not on whether or not
nuclear facilities should exist, but on how
these organizations can contribute toensuring that these facilities operate safely.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

On-going cooperation with the Loire local information commission
on environmental monitoring.

report and outlook

Discussions initiated at the end of 2005 with Afsset, InVS,
Ineris and Inrets on the role of national appraisal institutes
faced with changes in the governance of activities and situations involving risks to human health and the environment
were pursued in 2007 along three lines: identification ofshared values serving as the basis for opening the appraisal
process to society; the instruments required to achieve
openness; and the ways of communicating with society on
the health impact of diffuse risks. Information on this work
was submitted to the Health/Environment and Ecological
Governance working groups of the Environment Round
Table in the fall of 2007.

25

LINE

1 2 3 4
Be a driving force on the European and international scene

A standard reference

around the world
In keeping with its international development strategy, IRSN pursued its on-going European
and international activities in a context marked by a nuclear energy revival in certain
countries.

Expanding bilateral relationships
The Institute was asked by Chinese and British nuclear
safety authorities to participate in training programs invarious areas of appraisal such as reactor safety, fuel cycle
processing facilities, and emergency response procedures.
Several other countries who wish to acquire nuclear power
plants (such as Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates)
have asked IRSN to work in parallel with European industrialists to design in safety from the beginning of these
new reactor projects.
IRSN continues to accompany the French nuclear safety
authority internationally on work including a project conducted in cooperation with South Africa involving probabilistic
safety assessments on pressurized water reactors.
With regards to research, the international Source Term pro-95

man-years

in time spenton international
projects(120 in 2006)

gram has welcomed Canada as a new partner, and intensive
discussions are underway with the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) to expand bilateral cooperation on
nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Consultancy services to East European
safety authorities
In 2007 the Institute pursued its efforts to improve nuclear
facility safety in East European countries through the TACIS program. As this program comes to an end, it will be
replaced by the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation
program involving Russia, Ukraine, and Armenia, as well asother nuclear countries with limited resources.
Other new types of activities also began for IRSN in 2007:	providing technical support in the context of the G8
worldwide effort against terrorism and the proliferation

In the words of...

Édouard Scott-de-Martinville,
Director of the IRSN International Relations Division

112

IRSN participants

in international
expert groups(58 in 2006)

18

European projects“In 2007 the European Commission supported
the creation of a technological platform
designed to bring together major players
in nuclear fission and industry to establisha ‘strategic agenda’ for research and discuss
ways to achieve this objective. Participants
first agreed on a shared vision of the future
covering the next 40 years. The platform,
initially launched by industrial corporations
and their technical support teams, finallywelcomed technical safety organizations
through negotiations led by IRSN, supported

in progress(18 in 2006)

26

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

by its partners. IRSN urged the platform to give
greater consideration to subjects that it deems
essential, including facility safety, protection
against ionizing radiation, waste management,
and governance of risks related to nuclear
energy. The platform was officially launchedon September 21, with the first meetings ofthe Board of Directors and Executive
Committee held on October 29 and 30.
The objective is to prepare a draft version ofthe ‘strategic agenda’ by the end of 2008.”

The Institute was also involved in updating the internationalradiation protection system created through cooperation
between several international organizations. After participating in the analysis of UNSCEAR work and contributing new
ICRP recommendations in 2007, the process continued witha review of the IAEA’s basic standards as well as European
Community standards.

Strengthening ties with maIN European
partners
Pursuing its tasks within EUROSAFE, IRSN, along with its
German and Belgian counterparts, began work to define
joint research projects and prepare a guide on safetyassessments. This work was conducted within the recently
designated European TSO Network (ETSON).

ORGANIZATION

Tomihiro Taniguchi,
Deputy Director Generalof the IAEA and head of
the Nuclear Safety andSecurity Department“Nuclear safety approaches need to adapt
to the ‘renaissance’ of this form of energy
and its globalization. In the midst ofa changing environment, technical safety
organizations (TSOs) have a crucial role toplay in supporting regulators by providing
the scientific and technical knowledge
acquired through intelligent pooling of R&D
resources and sharing information andfeedback. The development of partnerships
between the IAEA and TSOs, such as IRSN,
is a clear indication of the trend towards
closer collaborative efforts that aim toharmonize safety approaches concerning
both new-generation and existing facilities.
IRSN consultants Philippe Jamet, Didier
Louvat, and Hassan Abou-Yehia provide
the IAEA with their experience in thesematters by holding managerial positions
within the Agency’s secretariat. The firstinternational conference on the challenges
with which technical and scientific support
organizations are faced to reinforce nuclear
safety, organized by IRSN on behalf of
the French government from April 23 to 27,
2007 in Aix-en-Provence (France) proved
to be a very effective way of promoting
cooperation among TSOs aroundthe world. Like the other participants,
the IAEA is convinced ofthe utility ofa vast TSO network to further pacific useof nuclear technologies in the current
nuclear ‘renaissance’ context, where thedevelopment of this form of energy inemerging countries represents
a tremendous challenge.”

report and outlook

Participation in internationalorganizations
In April 2007 IRSN and the IAEA joined forces to organize
a conference on the role of technical safety organizations(TSOs), which provide technical support to national safety
authorities. The conference demonstrated the importanceof these appraisal organizations in maintaining a high levelof safety in nuclear activities on an international scale.
Following the conference, the IAEA entrusted IRSN withcoordinating work that aims to define the purpose andtasks of TSOs.

In the words of...

IRSN activites

of weapons of mass destruction: Russian projects todismantle radioisotope thermoelectric generators andnuclear maintenance support ships, and remediation offormer nuclear naval bases;	consultancy services funded by East European safety
authorities: as part of the RiskAudit program, appraisalof the safety report for a VVER-1000 nuclear power plantthat Russia plans to build at Belene (Bulgaria).

Aside from its participation in EC research projects in its
own specializations, IRSN was also asked to coordinate a
new project on Advanced Safety Assessment Methodologies,
Level 2 (ASAMPSA2) for nuclear reactors.

ENSURING EFFICIENCYThe Institute also initiated discussions on European researchon radioactive waste management.
Other actions led by IRSN gave TSOs the opportunity towork on the definition of fission technology platform objectives (SNE-TP) and then participate in the startup andorganization of the platform. The Institute led discussions
between TSOs to facilitate information exchange and share
responsibility within the platform (see interview below).

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

27

Training

Training at the serviceof risk prevention: significant
growth in 2007
IRSN provides training in radiation protection, nuclear safety and security to fulfill its public
service objectives and capitalize on the Institute’s knowledge in all its fields of specialization.

1,435

hours of education

given in 104
training sessions
on radiation
protection(725 in 2006)

Strong and steady growth in demand
for training
Demand for training in radiation protection and nuclear
safety is increasing regularly. This rise follows a steadytrend as a result of regulations requiring that medical staff
be trained in the radiation protection of patients, and thepressing need to develop a culture that fosters safety andradiation protection in the medical environment (see article
on radiotherapy accidents).

In 2007 IRSN’s activities in basic or advanced training grewsignificantly, with a strong rise in the number of radiation
protection courses, especially in the medical sector, thefirst training sessions open to an international audience,
new training topics, and the development of exchange
programs with universities, engineering schools, and the
INSTN (national institute of nuclear science and techniques)for basic training needs.
www.irsn.org

This trend is also supported by the global revival of thenuclear power industry. Demand is sustained not only bydomestic needs, but also by countries who wish to acquireor develop civil nuclear technology.

Growth in radiation protection training
From the outset there has been high demand for the program designed to train radiation protection specialists,

In the words of...

Bernard Bigot,
High Commissioner for the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)

1,415people trainedin radiation
protection(900 in 2006)

1,927

hours of training

given by IRSN
outsidethe Institute(1,610 in 2006)28“We are entering an era where employers in
the nuclear field have high expectations withregards to education, whether it is basic
or advanced training.
The construction of new reactors such as
the EPR or Jules Horowitz Reactor andthe expanding use of radiotherapy equipment
in hospitals implies a search for new skills
and a rising demand for the relevant training
programs. It is therefore essential to renew
and update the supply-side of training in
nuclear safety and radiation protection.
In France, IRSN and CEA are two public
institutions whose competence is recognized

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

worldwide in research and assessment
activities related to nuclear development andthe ensuing areas of safety and radiation
protection. We both wish to coordinate ourefforts to propose a coherent, operational, andsustainable offering in terms of training.
Work is currently underway to reinforce
IRSN and CEA partnership within the INSTN(national institute of nuclear science andtechniques), the educational center that sets
the standard in our field, operating under the
Ministry for Higher Education and Researchand the Ministry for the Economy, Industry
and Employment. ”

ORGANIZATION
Rapid growth in demand for training in radiation protection.

report and outlook

2007 was also the year for a new version of the four-module
initiation course offered to IRSN’s newly recruited safetyengineers, now entitled “Principles, Issues, and Practices
in Nuclear Safety”, which can also be offered to trainees
from outside the Institute. The first session welcomed 48
participants, including two foreign trainees.
New advanced training programs developed in 2007 include
courses on radioecology and radioactive materials transport.
The training program on radiological inspection methods
applied to drinking water has been completely revised.
In 2007, 200 IRSN employees also gave courses throughbasic or advanced training programs developed by universities or engineering schools in the Institute’s fields ofspecialization. This significant contribution represents 2,000
hours of lectures and discussion.

IRSN activites

New training programs
In the field of nuclear safety, IRSN has created an international course on the physics of severe nuclear reactor
accidents as part of the SARNET European excellence
network (see Challenge 1, p. 43). This course has been
given to 38 trainees from 10 different countries. Having
demonstrated the demand for training on this subject, thecourse will continue to be scheduled in 2008. IRSN gave
another international training course in 2007 in Morocco, forprofessionals from the steel industry who may be exposed
to ionizing radiation in the workplace.

More details

New industrial fluoroscopy and radiography regulations
The French Labor Code relevant to worker
protection against ionizing radiation (Article
R.231-91) was modified by Order no.
2007-1570 dated November 5, 2007 to attributethe responsibility for organizing aptitude
testing for operating industrial fluoroscopy
and radiography equipment to IRSN startingin 2008. This responsibility was previously
assigned to regional authorities for work,
employment and occupational training. Every
year an average of 400 people apply to takethis aptitude test for certification to operateindustrial fluoroscopy and radiographyequipment. The new order dated December
21, 2007 defines a more detailed and stringent
procedure for certification testing. At the endof a mandatory training session, the applicant
takes a written examination and must spend
at least three months in apprenticeship within
a company, working under the responsibilityof a duly certified professional. The applicant
must then write a report presented before
a jury, demonstrating the ability to apply
the knowledge gained. The aptitude certificatedelivered by IRSN is valid for five years(instead of nine), and must be renewed after
passing another examination that focuses
on a professional report covering the previous
period. A ruling by the French Nuclear Safety
Authority defines the list of devices requiringa certified operator, which now includes
particle accelerators for industrial use.

728

hours
of education

given in17 training
sessions on
nuclear safety214
peopletrainedin nuclear
safetyIRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

29

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

especially in the medical field. Regulations stipulate thatthese specialists are responsible for ensuring the safetyof workers subject to exposure in establishments using
ionizing radiation. IRSN accommodated nearly 200 trainees in 11 sessions in 2007, while only four sessions were
initially scheduled.
A large number of public or private health institutions also
requested training for personnel obliged to comply withregulations on radiation protection of patients in the courseof their duties. The number of sessions organized in 2007
was therefore doubled as compared to the previous year.

IRSN in 2007

Activities

30

I

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

ORGANIZATIONCHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

2

Conducting assessments
on future facilities

3

Environmental andpopulation exposure

4

Safety of facilities andnuclear materials

5report and outlook

CHALLENGE

page 32

page 48page 52

page 60IRSN ACTIVITIESCHALLENGE

1

Safety of existing facilities

Emergency response
page 66

6

Effects of chronic
exposure

7

Protection in the medical
field

page 70

ENSURING EFFICIENCYCHALLENGE

page 74IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

31

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

Safety of existing facilities
Maintaining a high level of safety on existing nuclear facilities is crucial to guarantee thelong-term future of reactors and provide the operating experience feedback essential for
safety assessments.
This explains why continuous monitoring of existing facilities and experience feedback analysis
are considered unavoidable. It is through such work that improvements can be identified andresearch geared to implementing new safety systems to limit the risk of accidents with the possibility of serious consequences. Internationally, in 2007, many countries confirmed their intention to launch or reactivate large-scale civil nuclear programs. This move comes with a strong
call for convergence in terms of safety requirements in the different countries concerned.
IRSN’s many collaborative projects with its counterparts and partners abroad contribute to this.

Monitoring facilities
IRSN carries out safety and radiation protection appraisals for the ASN on an ongoingbasis. These activities concern both existing
and future facilities, such as reactors, fuelcycle facilities, other facilities where ionizing
radiation is used, as well as the transportation of radioactive materials. Given the volume of work to be dealt with and the technical complexity of the questions raised, these
activities employ a large number of highly
qualified personnel.

REACTORS
EPR safety assessment
On April 10, 2007, the French government issued the building permit for the Flamanville 3 EPR (European pressurizedwater reactor). Its decision was based largely on IRSN’s
safety assessment of the project, completed in 2006.

Steam generator clogging
EDF investigations carried out after several incidents on
two reactors at the Cruas plant (in Ardèche) revealed thatsteam generators (SGs) in French reactors suffered froma generic defect, namely tube support plate clogging (seeMore details).
In February 2006 this defect was the cause of an unscheduled outage in reactor no. 4 at the Cruas plant, caused by

From late 2006 to early 2007, IRSN joined with EDF and the
ASN in preparing a detailed technical assessment program
prior to the next step in the regulatory procedure – thecommercial operating license for Flamanville 3. EDF expects
commercial operation to begin in autumn 2011.

104

radiation
protection
services delivered, IRSN’s tasks within this program included examining techproviding holders nical specifications in the following areas:of radioactive
safety equipment classification;
sources andgeneral I&C architecture;
waste with
control procedures in accident situations,operational
technical support detailed design of the nuclear island base slab.

(108 in 2006)

32

In addition, IRSN experts provided ASN inspectors with assistance in a number of areas and, more particularly, on site
during the initial stages of nuclear island construction.
www.irsn.org

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Construction of the Flamanville facility in December 2007.

ORGANIZATION

Steam generator
clogging
Clogging is a phenomenon that affects
steam generator (SG) tube support plates.
These allow heat exchange between thereactor coolant, heated to a temperature of
325°C in the reactor core, and the secondary
system coolant, which the SGs transform
into steam to drive the turbine.

report and outlook

In addition, it emphasized the need to assess all the safety
implications of tube support plate clogging, rather thanconcentrating only on the risk of tube damage. On thissubject, IRSN showed that clogging could lead to significant
mechanical stress on tube support plate fasteners, obstruct
the natural flow of water and steam in SGs and affect theflow rate required for correct SG performance. It also carried out numerical simulations, demonstrating that in theevent of significant clogging, SG water levels could fluctuate
under certain operating conditions. IRSN analyses showedthat this SG problem needed to be dealt with urgently. In
the meantime, the operating power of 900 MWe and 1,300
MWe reactors has been reduced.
www.irsn.org

More details

Steam outlet to turbine

Steam outlet to turbine
Water inlet

Tube
Tube support
Water inlet plate

Tube support
plate
Tube

During the meeting, IRSN reported that a method of thistype was acceptable in theory, but stressed that it should
only be used for defining priorities and decision-making inassociation with more conventional analyses – and withcaution. IRSN’s examination of the method proposed by
EDF pointed to the need for a number of changes that EDF
should propose before the method could be used for VD3
1,300 inspections.

1

water
TubeHot
supportfromplatecore

Water return
to coreCHALLENGE

Tube
Tube support
plate

Tube

Each SG contains around 3300 inverted-Ushaped tubes that the tube support plates
help to keepin place. Tube
Tube
supportWater
returnplate
to coresupportHot water
plate
from core

Normalpassage

Tube

CloggedpassageTube
supportplate

Tubesupportplate

Normalpassage

IRSN activites

Analysis of changes to facilities
In 2005, EDF presented a method for prioritizing foreseeablechanges to be made to its facilities during future safety reviews. The method takes into account both cost and benefit
for safety. The ASN wanted the method to be examined by
the standing advisory group for nuclear reactors. Within
the safety review context, the method would help to define
priorities and reach decisions concerning improvements to bemade to reactor safety. In 2007, IRSN analyzed the method
proposed by EDF for application to the third 10-yearly
inspections for 1,300 MWe reactors (VD3 1,300). The analysis
was submitted to the above-mentioned standing groupmeeting on July 5, 2007.

Tube

Cloggedpassage

In 2005, it was reported that the passages
left to allow water and steam to flow
between the tubes and the tube support
plates had, in some steam generators,
become gradually clogged with oxide –mainly magnetite – deposits

724

Technical notices
to the nuclear
safetyauthorities(excluding
defense-related
activities)(690 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

33

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

a rapidly growing crack resulting from vibration fatigue inan SG tube, detected by a change in primary-to-secondaryside leakage.
In 2006, IRSN recommended that special measures andinspections be carried out before restarting this reactor.
In 2007, the Institute examined whether it would be advisable to carry out preventive plugging of some of the SG
tubes and step up in-service monitoring of these tubes asproposed by EDF.

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

Openness to society

FUEL CYCLE
Safety appraisal of the Georges Besse II Plant
The Tricastin enrichment company, a subsidiary of AREVA, isbuilding a uranium enrichment plant, called Georges Besse
II, on the Pierrelatte site (Drôme). The new plant will use
the centrifugation method and replace the existing plant,
where the gaseous diffusion enrichment method is used.
The centrifugation process, already employed by URENCO inother European countries, significantly reduces the amountof gaseous UF6 in the facility and, therefore, diminishes
the impact of any accident that might occur. Furthermore,
the design of the new plant integrates a defense-in-depth
approach that is aimed at reducing the likelihood andconsequences of internal risks associated with the processused (criticality, spread of radioactive materials, exposure
to ionizing radiation, fire, etc.).
In 2007, IRSN began its appraisal of the provisional safety
report for the plant with a view to its partial commercial
operation. This report follows on from the preliminary safety
analysis report presented in 2005. In particular, it focuseson how plant design takes into account the location of
the site and the related risks of external hazards (such as
earthquakes, flooding, aircraft crashes or explosions).

Natural uranium
Depleted uranium
Enriched uranium

VacuumRotor
Housing

Motor

Centrifuge uranium enrichment (Georges Besse II).

34

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

The Forsmark incident
presented to theGravelines Local
Information Committee
On May 4, 2007, IRSN submitted its
analysis of the incident that occurred at
the Forsmark plant in Sweden in July 2006
to the Gravelines (Nord) Local Information
Committee (CLI): the plant had suffereda loss of offsite power (LOOP) following
a short-circuit. As the plant is relatively
different from French NPPs, the Institutedescribed the electrical protection systems
used at both types of plant. It also gavean account of the corrective action thatwas taken after the incident and that could
be applied immediately to French plants.
In addition, it presented the specifications
for the in-depth studies requested
from EDF.
Those attending the meeting appreciatedthe technical details and explanations
provided by IRSN. Local Information
Committees are to become increasingly
involved in such technical issues further
to Act no. 2006-686 of June 13, 2006
on nuclear transparency safety , which
provides the committees with the necessary
resources to function and seek a second
opinion.
www.irsn.org

First periodical safety reviewof the STE3 facility
In preparation for the December 2007 meeting of thestanding group for laboratories and plants, IRSN carriedout a safety assessment of the STE3 facility at La Hague(Manche) on the basis of documentation submitted by
AREVA NC. The plant bituminizes chemical coprecipitation
sludge resulting from the treatment of liquid effluents.
Protective measures against the risk of fire and explosion
came under particularly close scrutiny. IRSN gave an unfavorable opinion for the conditioning of old sludge from the
STE2 facility, now shut down, as proposed by AREVA NC.
The Institute found that the proposed monitoring andextinguishing systems were inadequate, especially inview of uncertainties concerning possible exothermal
reactions between this sludge and the bitumen.
It recommended developing another conditioning method.

ORGANIZATIONIRSN and the Swiss Federal Public Health Office also submitted to the Swiss and French authorities their reportgiving the results of samples and measurements takenin the vicinity of CERN. As far as dose is concerned, theimpact on the population and environment is far slighter
than that of natural radioactivity. A reference state, termed
the “radioecological zero point” has been determined before
the LHC is started up.

Growing expertise in linear accelerators
The year 2007 saw a great deal of expert appraisal activity on
linear accelerators in the medical field. IRSN looked closely
at the safety provisions made to control access to areas at
risk when this type of machine is in operation, as well as
the sizing of the related radiation protection systems. In
order to build up its expertise in this field, the Institute alsobegan to develop new tools for improved characterizationof the X-ray spectrum emitted when charged particles are
slowed down. This would allow radiation protection systems
to attenuate radiation more finely.

report and outlook

In the words of...

Pierre Chevallier,
Chairperson of the standing
group for plants (GPU).
“IRSN technical assessments are vitalfor the standing group’s work on
several counts. First of all, the Institutepossesses the range of specialist skills
required to carry out a facility safetyassessment, covering physics, chemistry,
civil engineering, geology, containment,
radiation protection, fires and explosions.

1
CHALLENGE

Safety of CERN’s future large accelerator
In June 2007, IRSN gave its opinion on the safety of CERN’s
different facilities to the relevant standing group. This
included the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) before it begins
to operate. Several of this international organization’s facilities – including the LHC – straddle the border between
France and Switzerland. One of the original features of the
LHC has to do with the type of particles it will accelerate(protons up to 7 TeV). It will also be the most powerfulparticle accelerator in the world.
IRSN’s safety assessment of CERN equipment is carried out
under an agreement signed by this organization with France,
providing for the inspection of its equipment by the ASN.
In particular, the Institute carried out radiation protection
counter-calculations using specific Monte-Carlo codes tomodel the transport of particles and radiation resulting
from proton-matter interactions.

At the same time it ensures that all thesedifferent aspects are brought together
to form a coherent whole. IRSN also
possesses a nuclear culture that otherorganizations lack and will never acquire,
because the teaching of radioactivity
has virtually disappeared. IRSN’s crossdisciplinary skills and deep-seated nuclear
culture are such that GPU meetings could
not be held without the Institute’s technicalsupport.When the group prepares its
recommendations, the Institute provides
precious assistance in prioritizing thepoints raised during the assessment.
Many recommendations are accepted
during a preliminary meeting between
IRSN and the facility operator and nolonger have to be examined by thestanding group.”

IRSN activites

ACCELERATORSNew tools developed for better radiation protection.

620

participations

in basic
nuclear facility
inspections(630 in 2006)

21

standing groupmeetings with an

IRSN report(22 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

35

ENSURING EFFICIENCYCERN equipment safety appraised by IRSN.

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIESFuel safety

Work on IEC standards
The International Electrotechnical Commission, or IEC,
publishes many documents, including design standards
for nuclear power plant I&C systems and, in particular, forprogrammed systems designed to protect the reactors. In
France and other countries, these standards are consideredas the de facto reference and changes in the regulatory
framework may make them mandatory in Europe in themedium term.

IRSN’s research in the field of nuclear fuel isaimed at acquiring expertise and tools thatcan be used effectively in technical evaluations of nuclear reactor core behavior under
accident conditions. Most of the Institute’s research activities now relate to changes planned by plant operators to reduce the cost ofgenerating electricity.
They are particularly concerned with experiments carried out as part of the international
CIP program using CABRI, a CEA-operated
reactor currently undergoing renovation andsafety review.

IRSN therefore does everything to ensure that they containtechnical requirements that can be verified on the product.
This is a different approach from that adopted by otherorganizations, which place the emphasis on quality assurance procedures. IRSN believes that this approach does
not present a sufficient guarantee for the design of highly
complex systems.
In 2007, the Institute presented the IEC with a series oftechnical arguments to prepare a new standard on complex
electronic components. IRSN is project manager for thiswork and leads the associated technical working group.

Developing technical appraisals aroundthe world
IRSN’s involvement in support activities for foreign nuclear
safety authorities has been growing since 2007 and is not
limited to European contracts.
For example, in April 2007, a fuel cycle safety specialist
for the first time was appointed to take part in a safetyassessment during operation of a fuel fabrication plantin Resende, Brazil, as part of the first “Safety Evaluation
During Operation” mission organized by the IAEA. The plant
operator, Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil, was extremely open
and determined to improve the safety of its facility. The
mission was a real success and should open the door to new
missions, in particular in Romania, Argentina and Sweden.
IRSN also provided technical support for South Africa’s
National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to examine a change tothe pressurizer safety valves that the Koeberg NPP operator
planned to implement in August 2007. The NNR took into
account all of IRSN’s technical conclusions regarding thechange. This work was carried out under an IRSN-NNR
agreement signed in August 2007.

36

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Upgrading of the CABRI reactor’s measuring
instruments
IRSN is taking advantage of the current CABRI reactor
outage to modernize two measuring devices for which itis responsible: the hodoscope and the radiography, imaging
and spectrometry unit (IRIS). The hodoscope is the only
instrument of its kind in the world. It is used to take realtime measurements of the movement of fuel inside the test
rod placed at the centre of the reactor core and subjected
to a power excursion. The renovation should improve theperformance of the acquisition system and make the data
analysis tool more practical to use.
IRIS is used for nondestructive examination. It characterizes
the condition of the rod before and after testing using
radiography, tomography and gamma spectrometry.
Modernization work on this instrument began in 2007. Majorchanges are being made to the mechanical system used

International

Collaboration
with the NRC
IRSN and the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) have decided tostrengthen their research partnershipon nuclear reactor fuel safety.
Changes in fuel operating conditions
and the use of new cladding materials,
combined with R&D results obtainedin recent years, justify the continuingresearch effort in fuel behavior in accident
situations. The first decision made wasto set up an advisory body to implement
and follow up an action plan.

ORGANIZATION

FIRes
Water loop
Bellows
Vertical axis

SleeveCore

Vertical positioning motor

Test rod
Irradiation
channelExperimental research into fires at IRSN aims
to increase the Institute’s knowledge of thephenomena involved and to develop tools
to make a scientifically-based assessment ofrisks concerning the release of radioactive
materials in the environment. Results serve in
the assessment of facility safety and are widely used beyond the nuclear context.

Reactor pressure vessel
Fissionchamber

The hodoscope is used to take real-time measurementsof fuel movements inside the test rod.

to move the rod during examination and new calibration
instruments are being designed. The programmablecontroller used to control the various components of the
instrument and the electronic acquisition modules are also
being replaced by recent, lasting systems. Lastly, a highperformance X-ray generator is to be installed to offer
optimum image quality.

The Institute used this unique experimental data to compare
the different computational software applications usedby the ten or so French and foreign organizations who arepartners in the program. The PRISME Door test campaign,
which took place in 2007, led to the modeling and characterization of heat and smoke propagation between two

1

IRSN activites

In the words of…

Robert Peyroux,
Assistant Director of MIST, the Micromechanics
and Structural Integrity Laboratory“After working together for several years on
the thermomechanical behavior of materials,
the CNRS-University of Montpellier 2
mechanical and civil engineering laboratory(LMGC) and IRSN wanted to reinforce andensure the longer-term future of their joint
scientific projects. This led to the creationof MIST, a joint micromechanics and structural
integrity laboratory on July 7, 2007.
The activities of this «open» laboratory
follow a four-year action plan which defines
the pooled human (20 staff/year) and financial
resources. IRSN contributes
its expert knowledge of the behaviorof nuclear materials such as nuclear fuel,particularly in accident situations, as well as
its expertise in numerical simulation.
LMGC contributes its skills in the field ofexperimental analysis and, more specifically,
the couplingof mechanical loads and changing
energy levels. MIST’s job is to understandand predict the behavior of materials andstructures subjected to combinations ofphysical phenomena such as those observed
during nuclear reactor accidents. The methods
developed to deal with these nuclear situations
should be applicable to situations encounteredin other sectors of industry.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Recoilphoton counter

Test campaign completed on smoke
propagation through doors
Carried out under the aegis of the OECD, the PRISME
experimental program investigates heat and smoke propagation in the event of fire in a confined and mechanicallyventilated facility. The 800 measurements taken during
each test show the changes in the main physical parameters observed in the DIVA experimental facility during
a fire. The only one of its kind in the world, this 700 m3
experimental setup comprises five mechanically ventilatedchambers. The engineering division at IRSN contributed its
experience and competence to the design and constructionof this research facility.

CHALLENGE

Vertical positioning motor

report and outlook

Collimator

37

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

rooms (wall, door, ventilation). A thesis based on this work
is in progress, using laser tomography measurement validated on models at the University of Marseille.

Calculating the heat release rateof a large fire
At the INTERFLAM 2007 conference in September 2007,
IRSN and Ineris presented a new experimental approachto calculate the heat release rate of a large fire using laboratory measurements taken during the combustion of
inflammable materials.
The idea is to make a material burn as intensively on a small
scale as it would on a large scale, either by overheating
it using a radiant panel heater or by hyper-oxygenating
combustion during lab tests. The tests used to develop thistechnique resulted in the classification of test materials into
several categories according to their combustion behavior.
This method has been developed jointly by the two institutes
since 2005 and aims to achieve cost-effective characterization of a material’s combustion behavior when the typeof material is known. An on-going theoretical analysis will
support material classification efforts in 2008.

Test campaign on smoke propagation through doors (PRISME Door).

Research outlet

Behavior of containment and compartmenting
equipment in a fire
IRSN is investigating leak air flow andmechanical strength on equipment used
to contain or compartment fires in nuclear
facilities. In 2007 investigations on electricaland mechanical penetrations supplemented
those already completed on others elements(dampers, doors, filtration units, HEPA filters).
Tests representing the severe thermal and air
flow conditions which may occur as a resultof fire in nuclear facilities were carried out
in the Starmania facility (Saclay), with
AREVA NC taking part of some test runs. The
resulting knowledge has been used for facility
safety assessments. IRSN also carried out
tests on glass behaviour in the framework of
the French national fire engeneering program(PNISI). This applied research program aims
to develop knowledge in France of modern
methods for analyzing building security in theevent of fire. http://pnisi.cstb.fr/pnisi

38

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

The STARMANIA station.

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

Dried uranyl nitrate

Flow rate measurement

BISE air stream

Velocity control

Diagram of BISE setup at Valduc (Côte-d’Or).

CHALLENGE

Nicolas Ribeiro,
Head of olfactometryat IRSNIRSN activites

Another study was made on the effect of air flow on drieduranyl nitrate or plutonium residues. Preliminary results
showed considerable differences in aerosol resuspension
obtained from these two types of residue. The results wereused in 2007 for containment assessments carried out atseveral nuclear facilities. They resulted in better assessmentof the risks of radioactive release inside buildings or to theenvironment in accident situations and also served to establish an appraisal on early detection and impact-limiting
measures proposed by facility operators.

1

In the words of...

“The origin of olfactometry at IRSN liesin the knowledge acquired by Instituteresearchers concerning dispersion ofelements in the air.
We are currently involved in two projects
co-funded by Ademe. The first began in
January 2007 and concerns validating
the use of electronic noses to monitor
odor emissions from slaughterhouses.
The second project began at the end of2007 and concerns a study to validate andadjust a dispersion model of odors released
by organic waste composting sites, which
can be used to monitor compliancewith odor pollution control objectives.
IRSN’s involvement in projects such asthese demonstrates that knowledge gained
from nuclear research can be appliedin other fields.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

What’s new in aerosols
Since 2004 IRSN has been conducting experimental researchon resuspension of contaminants from liquid sources fordifferent accident scenarios inside facilities. This work was
described in a thesis defended in 2007 on aerosol emissions
caused by the impact of droplets on solid or liquid surfaces
and served as a basis for characterization of how fine particles
may form aerosol contaminants from a dripping leak.

39

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

In March 2007, the Institute presented its appraisal results tothe standing groups on reactors and plants, concerning:	the method applied for periodic safety review of nuclear
power plant protection against external flooding developed by EDF following partial flooding of the Blayais NPP(Gironde) at the end of 1999, and how to implement thismethod at the 19 EDF sites;	measures to protect the Tricastin (Drôme) facilities (otherthan the nuclear reactors) against flooding of the Rhone,collapse of the Donzère-Mondragon canal dike, and heavy
precipitation;
	protection of facilities other than the EDF reactors forsites located at Chinon (Indre-et-Loire), Saint-Laurentdes-Eaux (Loir-et-Cher), Bugey (Ain), Chooz (Ardennes),
Marcoule (Gard), Grenoble (Isère), Romans-sur-Isère(Drôme), and Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône).
High Flux Reactor core.

Naturally-occurring
hazards
IRSN conducts research on hazards caused
by natural phenomena - earthquakes, floods,
heat waves – to ensure that this type of risk
is assessed correctly in designing and operating nuclear facilities.
Reinforcing High Flux Reactor seismic
resistanceDuring the periodic safety review for the High Flux Reactor
operated by the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, IRSN
stressed that it was necessary to reinforce certain internal
structures of the reactor building and nearby buildings toreinforce seismic resistance.
In 2007, IRSN analyzed the adequacy of work carried out
on building structures for this purpose.
The investigation showed that in the event of an earthquake, the modifications guarantee the stability of thereactor building and reactor internals, that no leaks will
occur in either the reactor cavity or the spent fuel storage
channel, and that there is no risk of neighboring buildings
damaging the facility.

Protecting facilities against external
flooding
Over the past few years, IRSN has been closely involved
in reassessing the protective measures taken by nuclear
operators in their facilities against external flooding basedon lessons learned (Le Blayais in 1999, the Rhone valley
in 2003).

40

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

This assessment concluded that the method developed
by EDF was globally satisfactory while requiring a few
improvements and some additional research.

In the word of...

Jacques Ducau,
Civil engineering specialistat IRSN“Even if France is not located in a highrisk seismic zone, it is essential to take into
consideration events such as earthquakes
when dealing with nuclear facilities.
Based on its research programs, IRSN
conducts assessments in this field fordesign phases and periodic safety reviews.
One aim is to ensure that the proposals
submitted by operators establish or
maintain acceptable margins concerning
the risk of damage due to an earthquake
and take into account the aging of facilities.
In addition to the High Flux Reactor work,in 2007 IRSN investigated the CEA’s
paraseismic safety measures for the newJules Horowitz reactor, placing special
focus on the durability of the elastomer
pads laid between the ground andbuildings, designed to last throughout
the 60-year lifetime of the facility. IRSN
consultants also participated in certain
missions organized by the IAEA andthe French association for earthquake
engineering following the Niigata
earthquake on July 16, 2007.”
www.irsn.org

IRSN concluded that applying this reference system will
indeed improve reactor safety in the event of high temperatures. It did, however, highlight shortcomings in terms ofthe temperature values used to test materials resistance,
as well as accident situations to be investigated under hightemperature conditions.
www.irsn.org

ORGANIZATIONIRSN work conducted on core meltdown
accidents reveals the advantages of taking
measures to reduce the probability or impact
of such accidents on reactors in operation orunder construction. This knowledge is essential to IRSN in fulfilling its mission as advisor
to public authorities in a crisis.
Understanding the interactions between
corium and concrete
In a core meltdown accident, corium could melt throughthe reactor pressure vessel, spread over the subjacentconcrete structures and cause the concrete to melt. Significant progress was made in 2007 in understanding
and modeling corium-concrete interaction as a result ofanalyzing and interpreting small-scale tests carried out
in one-dimensional geometry (ARTEMIS1D) with materials simulating corium, and larger-scale tests using realmaterials (VULCANO, MCCI-OECD). Thanks to the work
accomplished by the Institute, progress has been made inunderstanding how the corium resulting from core melt
ablates the concrete structures in the reactor. This research
has also contributed to qualification of ASTEC, the major
accident computing code designed to simulate a nuclear
reactor core meltdown accident.

report and outlook

EDF reactors and heat waves
During heat waves, EDF may need to reduce the power
production of certain reactors to comply with the approved
general operating rules and administrative orders regarding effluent discharge and water sampling. In 2007, IRSN
examined the EDF “extreme high temperature” reference
system, conceived to ensure that facilities continue tooperate correctly under temperatures that exceed design
specifications.

Severe accidents

1
CHALLENGE

IRSN considered, moreover, that other operators should
adopt measures against external flooding consistent withthose implemented by EDF.
Finally, in preparing the “flooding” guide for all nuclear
facilities, the work accomplished in 2007 led to the creation of a list of phenomena to take into consideration andan inventory of methods used to characterize the rare or
extreme events resulting from these phenomena.
www.irsn.org

IRSN activites

Study on fuel cladding air oxidation
completed
The IRSN experimental program MOZART was concluded
at the end of 2007 after nearly 200 tests. It began in 2004,

in the word of...

Guillaume Wack,
Director of the ASN nuclear power plant division
during periodic ten-year reviews. Updating
and creating new guidelines is thus an ongoing task, principally involving ASN and
IRSN, but also operators. Assessment of
the EDF heat wave reference system andpreparation of guidelines on external flooding
are also in progress. For these projects, we
are working closely with IRSN on both thecreation of doctrine documents, research into
certain technical issues encountered during
inspections, and expanding national andinternational operating experience feedback.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY“National and international events regularly
remind us that it is absolutely essential
to provide for natural hazards such as
earthquakes, heat waves, fires, etc. These risks
are taken into account when designing thefacilities, and also during their operational
lifetime via preventive measures and incident
response guidelines. At the same time, anincreasing knowledge base and experience
feedback gained by analyzing events in
French and foreign facilities regularly lead
us to reconsider these issues, particularly

41

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

setting out to study the kinetics of air oxidation on thezirconium alloys used to manufacture fuel cladding. MOZART was part of the international Source Term programand provided a large database for modeling the processof fuel cladding degradation in the event of an accident
in the presence of air (core meltdown with an air inlet,
fuel assembly handling accident, dewatering accident on
spent fuel pools).
Three industrial zirconium alloys were investigated: Zircaloy-4, M5® and Zirlo. Some of the samples were pre-treatedto simulate their condition after serving in the reactor(steam corrosion, hydrogen absorption by materials).
The results clearly showed a form of accelerated cladding
degradation associated with the formation of zirconium nitride, which could cause the oxidation reaction to snowball.
These effects will be taken into account when modelingsevere accidents using the ASTEC software.

New facilities to study the behaviorof iodine
CHIP is one of the research areas covered by the Source
Term international program involving partnership with EDF,
CEA, the European Commission, the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (US-NRC), the Canadian research organization
AECL, the Paul Scherrer Institute (Villigen, Switzerland) andSuez-Tractebel. Its purpose is to provide data that will serve
to reduce uncertainty with respect to radioactive iodine
release in the event of a nuclear core meltdown accident.
Since 2005, IRSN, together with the CNRS and the Finnish
institute VTT, has led projects to create two test facilities
for the CHIP program:	the first, installed in the laboratory of materials and process

in the word of...

Emmanuel Raimond,
Head of PSA 2 at IRSN
“The past few years have seen great
progress in France regarding Level 2
Probabilistic Safety Assessments (PSA
2) with both EDF and IRSN conducting
studies on 900 MWe pressurized water
reactors and initiating equivalent studies
for 1300 MWe reactors and the EPR.
This work is based on the results ofvarious research programs conducted
on severe accidents and owes muchto the competence of those researchteams. Today, PSA 2 can be used to define
priorities when it comes to improving
facilities. Since severe accident risk
assessment is a common concern in
European countries, IRSN does all it can
to contribute to European efforts regarding
PSA 2 harmonization, for example,
in work carried out for the SARNET
network of excellence. The Institute has
also been tasked with coordinating
an FP7 project that aims to provide a guideof best practices in terms of developing
and implementing PSA 2.”

science and engineering in Grenoble (Isère), is designed tocollect basic data regarding chemical reactions between
fission products and control rod parts, including the kinetics of these reactions at different temperatures;More details

PSA, a safety assessment tool
The probabilistic safety assessment (PSA)
gives an overall assessment of the risks
associated with a facility and provides a toolfor identifying potential weaknesses in its
design and operation. It is also used to define
priorities when scheduling improvements.
With PSA, accident scenarios can beinvestigated in a systematic way. A level 1
PSA identifies the accident sequences that
could lead to core meltdown and determines
their frequency. A PSA 1 may be limited to42

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

equipment failures and human errors, or canalso take into consideration hazards suchas fire, flooding and earthquakes. A PSA 2
includes assessment of the nature, scope andfrequency of radioactive release outside thereactor containment vessel for the accident
sequences involving core meltdown identified
by PSA 1.
In France, PSAs are developed by operators todemonstrate safety, and by IRSN as a tool tosupport its assessment missions.

After functioning for four years, the overall result of SARNET
is very positive. Thematic groups encourage exchanges
between researchers. Shared interpretation of experimental data has led to significant improvements in the ASTEC
software models. Research priorities for the coming years
have been clearly established. Two conferences (ERSMAR),two severe accident training sessions (see In the words of…)
and the financing of researcher and student contracts havecontributed considerably to disseminating knowledge. A
reference book is in progress, with distribution scheduled
for 2008.
The success of SARNET has led the European Commission
to offer this network additional funding through FP7 foranother four years.

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

in the word of...

1
Jean-Marie Mattéi,

CHALLENGE

SARNET: report and outlook
SARNET is a network of excellence dedicated to researchon nuclear reactor core meltdown accidents. This network,
coordinated by IRSN, has been funded by the European
Commission from 2004 to 2008 as part of FP6. It fosters
close collaboration between more than 50 partners from18 European countries and Canada. Its purpose is to
optimize resources, to work collaboratively to define severe
accident research priorities, share findings and build on
the results in what is becoming the European referencein terms of severe accidents: the ASTEC code, used by
30 SARNET partners.

State of progress in severe accident R&D
The physical phenomena set in motion during a severe
accident are extremely complex. Research aims to achievea better understanding of these phenomena and reduce theassociated uncertainties. At the beginning of 2007, IRSN
published a report on its web site describing the state of

Head of IRSN assessment
and scientific activities“In March 2007 IRSN initiated andorganized the first training program on
assessment of a nuclear reactor core
meltdown situation in a pressurized orboiling water reactor, on behalf of theEuropean network of excellence, SARNET.
It was aimed at specialists likely to be called
upon to advise public authorities in this typeof situation. Our aim was to give them all
the necessary information concerning how
a severe accident may evolve in terms of thephysical phenomena, related kinetics anduncertainty. Lectures were given by twenty
national and international consultants.
The 38 participants came from European
countries, Canada and South Africa andworked in research organizations, safety
authorities, or manufacturing corporations.
Future sessions will deal with other reactors
including VVER, CANDU and Generation
III reactors (such as EPR, AP1000, SBWR...).
One of the outcomes of this first program
was that three foreign organizations
requested an ASTEC license contract.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

IRSN activites

	the second, set up at the Cadarache site, will reproduce
the complex chemistry of gaseous and condensed phasesin the reactor primary circuit with mixtures close to thoseoccurring in a core meltdown.
The end of 2007 saw the conclusion of a complex task
involving design, R&D, construction and validation of thesefacilities.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Assembly of the reactor (bottom) and furnaces (top).

An international exercise to compare
modeling computations
Within the framework of the SARNET network, IRSN coordinated the comparison of computations carried out to model
two experiments conducted in the TOSQAN facility. Theseexperiments aimed to achieve a small-scale reproductionof thermal exchanges and gas mixtures which could occur
in the reactor containment in the event of a severe accident when water-sprinkling devices are used. Ten teamsof different nationalities participated in the exercise using
their own computational methods. The exercise demonstrated the importance of using multidimensional models
to correctly describe evaporation phenomena that play animportant role in controlling risks of explosion.

43

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

progress in severe accident knowledge and research work
underway in France and abroad. The report was producedin collaboration with the CEA and supported by EDF.
It starts by presenting severe accident scenarios that areconceivable in Pressurized Water Reactors operated in
France. Details are then provided concerning the different
physical phenomena that could occur in the reactor pressure vessel and containment, as well as the ensuing chainof events and measures to mitigate their impact. For eachphenomenon, the most important recent experiments– either in progress or planned for a future date – andthe main models and computer codes used to simulate
the phenomenon are described and the state of current
knowledge is reported, in order to give an approximate
idea of the expected reliability of predictions.

Laser velocimetry measurements in the TOSQAN facility.

The report shows that significant uncertainties subsist,in particular concerning reflooding a damaged core andthe erosion rate of the containment foundation raft. As
regards fission products, uncertainties remain, especiallywith regards to the behavior of iodine in the reactor coolant
system and containment. Experimental programs involving
these issues are underway, particularly in the international
Source Term program (see page 42).
www.irsn.org

Research outlet

Providing services to the gas industry
Since 2003, regulations concerning risk
management associated with industrial
facilities classified for environmental
protection have prompted industry to carryout probabilistic studies on dangerous
phenomena that could occur during
operations.
Implementation of this initiative has
demonstrated that generic databases cannot
be used to obtain consolidated values incalculating the probability of initiating eventsand security barrier failures. In 2007 IRSN
performed several consultancy contracts for

44

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

the gas industry with regards to these issues,
including:critical analysis of the database concerning
equipment failure probabilities developedby ARKEMA for the chemical industry;
an inventory of measures existing in the LPG
sector to collect data on security equipment
reliability;
recommendations on methods or specificissues provided as a third-party consultant
specialized in hazard studies (Primagaz,
Totalgaz, Butagaz).

ORGANIZATIONABOUT DEFENSE
Assessing the safety of military nuclear systems,
basic nuclear installations and defense-related transport.
IRSN carried out missions in this area as part of a technical support agreement with the French
General Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection for Defense-related Activities
and Facilities (DSND), an authority operating under the aegis of the ministries of Defense andIndustry.

report and outlook

Operation
Facility safety depends not only on design and construction
criteria, but also on principles governing operation andmaintenance. It was in this context that IRSN analyzed
the case of the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle’s firstscheduled downtime for maintenance and repairs in theport of Toulon (Var).
This investigation covered the safety of support equipment
and tools, the systems hydrotest program, and preventive
and corrective maintenance.
In preparation for aircraft carrier refueling, IRSN also looked
into how the new naval propulsion fuel transport packaging
is used in the CEA Cadarache facility (Bouches-du-Rhône),dedicated to producing new fuel for naval propulsion
systems.

1
CHALLENGE

Design and construction
In 2007 IRSN investigated the safety of:	the future AREVA NC facility at Pierrelatte (Drôme) for
uranium recovery;	the future extension of tritiated water storage at the
CEA Valduc facility (Côte-d’Or); the decision to build thisextension was the outcome of the periodic safety review
conducted on this facility in 2006;	certain units at the Île Longue (Finistère) operations basewhere considerable modifications to electrical systems
and the fuel storage pool for nuclear steam supply systems
are planned;	a new waste storage facility which currently has no disposal system in the MAR400 building at Marcoule (Gard).

The Institute also studied the answers communicatedby the CESTA CEA center (Gironde) as a follow-up to its
commitments regarding construction of the Laser MégaJoule (LMJ).

IRSN activites

Safety of submarines, aircraft carriersand defense-related military or civilian
facilities.
IRSN assessment of facilities operated by the Ministry of
Defense, the CEA, AREVA or EADS covers their entire life
cycle (design, operation, decommissioning, dismantling). It
also covers all the important modifications of these facilities
induced by the development of their activity.

3

national
emergency
exercises to

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

ensure safety ofdefense-related
facilities(4 in 2006)

5

meetings held

The Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier.

by defenserelated safetycommittees(8 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

45

CHALLENGE

1234567
Help ensure a high level of safety and radiation protection of existing facilities
until the end of their service life

More details

Periodic safety review
A large part of the facilities contributing
to the nuclear deterrence effort were built
in the ‘60s. Periodic safety reviews assess
the safety of these facilities taking into
consideration both the evolution of theiractivities and related modifications, inaddition to advances in knowledge andchanges in doctrine.
In 2007, following a CEA report, IRSN
reviewed the safety of the CEA Valduc
center (Côte-d’Or) which handles
plutonium and uranium. This review
showed that experience feedback fromoperations is incorporated appropriately
and that staff exposure to ionizing
radiation is kept well under control. The
operator plans to implement new measures
to reinforce building compartmenting in
the event of fire and enhance availability ofdynamic containment of nuclear materials.
IRSN made recommendations regarding
the support structure in the event of fireand stressed the importance of human andorganizational factors which are potential
sources of incidents. Finally, earthquake
hazards and the modifications planned inoperations to reduce the associated risks
were also thoroughly investigated.

32

operationalradiation
protectionreferrals(22 en 2006)

129

technical notices

to the safety
authorities for
defense-related
activities(107 in 2006)

46

CEA Marcoule center (Gard).

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

In the context of periodic safety reviews, IRSN also studied
the fast attack nuclear submarine (SSN) classification ofsystems important to safety for the nuclear steam supply
system, and the approach to analyzing internal hazards andthe radiological impact of accident situations.
IRSN also examined the general operating rules of the submarine support and maintenance workshop at the Cherbourg
naval base (Manche) and the possibility of accommodating
SSNs at Dock no. 8 at the Brest naval base (Finistère).
As part of cleanup operations at the CEA Marcoule center,
IRSN reviewed the safety of recovery and repackaging
operations on bituminized waste drums stored in bunkers
and undertook investigative operations concerning highlevel waste.
In the same center, IRSN also studied modifications to theliquid effluent treatment station required to accommodate
effluents from the CEA Cadarache center.
Still at CEA Marcoule, IRSN examined the center’s generalsafety document to assess risks associated with this sitethat could impact the safety of facilities.
Lastly, in the context of periodic safety reviews, IRSN investigated the safety of a building at the CEA/DAM Valduc
center (see More details).

ORGANIZATION

More details

Radioactive materials transport
Among the numerous files examined, IRSN reviewed a request for certification of the new PNCN package, designed
to transport new fuel elements for naval propulsion, andextension of the TNSN package used to transport startup
sources, and the BK 15 package used for irradiated fuelelements.
Internal emergency plans
In 2007 IRSN assessed the internal emergency plans of several establishments containing defense-related facilities. This
concerned the operational part of the internal emergency
plans of sites at CEA Marcoule and Bruyères-le-Chatel, as
well as SODERN (Limeil-Brévannes, Val-de-Marne).

Fuel element transport:
IR 800
CEA applied for certification of the“IR 800” package to be used to transport
irradiated fuel elements from naval
propulsion reactors. For this package,
the study concentrated on criticality risks
related to the presence of water (barrier
sealing, draining and drying procedures, etc.).
IRSN sent its safety assessment reportfor this package to the French transport
safety commission (CST). In its meeting on
January 26, 2007, the commission validated
package compliance with regulations
and made recommendations based on
the Institute’s proposals. Operations to
reduce the associated risks were also
thoroughly investigated.

report and outlook

Dismantling
IRSN continued to examine dismantling of the CEA MarcouleUP1 plant in the course of 2007. Analysis gave special focus
to equipment and vessel cleanup operations, reconditioningof ash waste resulting from alpha waste incineration, andthe conditions in which cerium IV is used to decontaminate
equipment during cleanup operations.

Elsewhere, a tripartite group including the French Navy,DSND and IRSN, created in the second half of 2006 to help
the Navy rewrite its internal emergency plan, met nine times
during 2007 to prepare for updating the four plans covering
the Toulon naval base.

CHALLENGE

IRSN activites

IR 800 irradiated fuel element transport package.

Radiological monitoring of buildings being dismantled
at the Pacific Experimental Center
Since the summer of 2007 and at the request of DSND, IRSN
has been carrying out radiological inspections on the remainsof buildings at the Pacific Experimental Center before theirdemolition. These inspections have been completed on theatolls of Pukara, Reao and Mangareva, where the buildings
have now been demolished.

ENSURING EFFICIENCYRadioactive sources
In 2007 IRSN recommendations concerning ionizing radiation sources in defense-related facilities operating under theaegis of the Ministry of Industry were issued mainly to those
CEA centers with military applications divisions. Following
these recommendations, CEA/DAM Ripault, Bruyères-leChatel,Valduc, Marcoule and CESTA received their authorizations. In fact, the DSND must deliver a specific authorization
allowing these facilities to hold and use radioactive sources.
Twice a year IRSN provides DSND with an updated list of
the ionizing radiation sources used by the roughly twenty
facilities operating under DSND authority.

1

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

47

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Begin working today to develop the knowledge and resources required
to assess the risks posed by the nuclear facilities of tomorrow

Conducting assessments

on future facilities

In 2007, IRSN’s research work was dedicated to expanding its knowledge base, pursuing research
programs, and developing partnerships with entities such as the CEA, Andra, Areva, ITER
and the European Community in areas covering future reactors, plants and radioactive waste
repositories.

Future reactors
IRSN’s involvement in future reactor projects aims to acquire further knowledge andessential tools for making a qualified safetyassessment when the time comes, and also to
prepare the appropriate safety objectives.
Preliminary studies on fourth-generation
reactors
In March 2007, IRSN published the results of its internal
discussions on safety, radiation protection and security
issues involved in the six “systems” (reactors and related
fuel cycle facilities) selected by the Generation IV International Forum.
In comparison with previous reactor generations, the industrial community decided that these fourth-generation
reactors should meet the following objectives:	reduce the volume and radiotoxicity of waste produced;
	generate the same amount of energy while using far lessuranium;	continue to improve reactor safety and security;	reduce proliferation risks.
As a result of orientations decided in France, IRSN studies
concern mainly sodium- or gas-cooled fast breeder reactor
technologies. Preference has been given to these technologies in accordance with the 2006 law relative to sustainable
management of radioactive materials and waste, whichplans for technological choices to be finalized in 2012 andconstruction of a prototype to be launched in France witha view to commissioning in 2020.
Working in partnership with interested parties, IRSN willcontinue, however, to keep a technological watch on highor very high temperature reactors, in spite of the decision
to abandon them in France because of their “open” cycle(where actinides are not recycled).

48

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

As mentioned above, fast breeder reactors can call on two
distinct technologies:	sodium-cooled reactors, which have already been built inFrance on an industrial scale (Creys-Malville plant); subsequent projects have undergone preliminary investigation
within a formal national context (1500 MW fast breeder
reactor) or informal multilateral framework (European
Fast Reactor);	gas-cooled reactors, which so far have not been constructed either in France or abroad.
As regards the sodium-cooled alternative, IRSN has highlighted specific points that need to be studied in greater detail
before 2012: reactor core characteristics, prevention ofcore meltdown accidents, and online monitoring of various
components (especially reactor internals).
www.irsn.org

The Jules Horowitz Reactor
for experimental work on future systems
Experimentation inside the reactor will be required to test
new equipment or materials for future reactors. For thispurpose, the CEA is building a new reactor called Jules
Horowitz (JHR) on its Cadarache site (Bouches-du-Rhône)for commissioning in 2014.
In reviewing the preliminary safety analysis for this newreactor, IRSN was particularly attentive to measures takenby the CEA with respect to a borax-type reactivity accident,
a determining factor in designing the reactor containment.
IRSN carried out studies for this purpose using the MC3D
and SIMMER applications, the latter being initially dedicated to sodium-cooled fast breeder reactors and adapted in2006 to research reactors using water-cooled uranium- andaluminum-based fuel. As a result of these studies, the CEA
modified the design criteria for the Jules Horowitz reactor
containment.

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

Deep radioactive waste
repository
To get ready for the safety assessment of
deep radioactive waste repository in clay
formations, IRSN organised to gather all theknowledge and the skill it may need. In thisaim, il conducts studies and research withboth national and intenational partners.

CHALLENGE

2

Research activity and partnerships
Throughout 2007 IRSN continued its research into thesafety of deep geological repositories so that it has thecompetence necessary to conduct assessments before thedeadlines fixed by the 2006 law, calling for licensing tocreate a repository in 2015 and commissioning in 2025.

IRSN activites

ITER: research on nuclear fusion
IRSN has been preparing for an in-depth safety assessment
for ITER since the decision was made to build this experimental facility on the Cadarache site in France. The first step
involved building knowledge in nuclear fusion, which led totraining IRSN consultants on the Tore Supra tokamak experimental facility at Cadarache, dedicated to thermonuclear
fusion controlled through magnetic confinement.
In 2007 technical discussions with the operator mainly
concerned possible accident scenarios, safety issues related
to plasma behavior, confinement of radioactive materials,
and the use of automated systems for transferring components.
ÏAt the same time, various research activities began whose
results will make a significant contribution to the ITER assessment mission. These activities concern risks related tothe presence of hydrogen, activated dust or tritium.
Another task concerns the severe accident simulation
software ASTEC, used for PWR reactors, which will be adapted for use on the ITER facility in a multiyear work program.
This includes developing new models to study oxidation of
the materials used to build the ITER vacuum vessel walls(beryllium, carbon, tungsten) and validating the software on
fusion-specific experiments like ICE and LOVA (Japan).andvalidating the software on fusion-specific experiments like
ICE and LOVA (Japan). It will then be possible to computeaccident scenarios and compare results with those obtainedusing the MELCOR software, the American equivalent of
ASTEC, which is used by the operator.
www.irsn.org

ITER: sectional view of toroidal magnet.

IRSN signed an agreement with Andra in 2007 to analyze
water samples collected through boring campaigns in
its Bure underground research laboratory (Meuse/Haute
Marne). These analyses will allow IRSN to establish an
independent opinion on the origin of these waters and theirpermeation rate through the geological layers from theinfiltration zones. Backed up by a geochemical interpretation, this work will thus contribute to confirming or refuting
the hypotheses advanced by Andra in its safety reports.

ENSURING EFFICIENCYIRSN reviewed the preliminary safety reportfor the new RJH Reactor.

Instances of hydraulic overpressure observed in the clay formation studied by Andra at the Bure facility were confirmed
by investigations made at the IRSN Tournemire (Aveyron)
experimental center. In 2007 IRSN acquired boring equi-

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

49

DÉFI

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Begin working today to develop the knowledge and resources required
to assess the risks posed by the nuclear facilities of tomorrow

pment capable of measuring hydraulic pressure changes
in clay. This equipment and clay samples taken during theboring campaign will help IRSN clarify the reasons for theobserved overpressure and describe the respective differences between the various transfer mechanisms that may
impact the safety of a future deep geological repository.
An additional task involved studying the area around atunnel dug through the rock which showed signs of damage.
IRSN and the French public works research laboratory(Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées) developed anexperimental protocol to investigate the damage. Using specific geophysical techniques, this protocol made it possible
to characterize the damaged area in various configurations(measurements taken from the tunnel cladding or slab,
directly in contact with the clay or in the presence of aconcrete coating).
Also in 2007, an agreement was signed with the French
oil institute (IFP) to set up an experiment to measure clayrock deformation due to interstitial fluid pressure. The
agreement concerns the use of samples from the Tournemire experimental center, demonstrating its value for the
study of clays, not only in the context of waste repository
research, but also in its capacity to improve modeling offormations overlying oil reservoirs.

Revision of the Basic Safety Ruleon Geological Repositories
The projected update of Basic Safety Rule No. III.2.f relative
to a deep geological radioactive waste repository was examined in detail on June 19 and 26, 2007 by the standing
group for waste management. Work on this update began
several years ago to take into account progress in knowledge
and practices over the past fifteen years. It was conductedby a working group with members from Andra, the French
Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), the standing group for
waste management and IRSN.
The changes under discussion were the result of researchand safety assessments carried out by IRSN at various
milestones throughout development of the Andra project. They also took into consideration work published byinternational organizations (IAEA, NEA, ICRP...) as well as
French legislation, including Program Law No. 2006-739
of June 28, 2006 relative to sustainable management ofradioactive materials and waste.
The major changes reviewed concerned the notion ofreversibility, the definition of safety functions, radiation
protection, the characteristics required of waste packages,
and the repository monitoring program.

International

Incorporating the Tournemire experimental center
into the IAEA Network of Centers of Excellence
July 30, 2007 marked the incorporation of
the IRSN experimental center at Tournemirein the Network of Centers of Excellence set
up by the IAEA to promote training andexperimentation in underground researchfacilities dedicated to waste disposal.
This network links research platforms fromthe 27 member countries and encourages
the transfer of knowledge and skills to
those States who are not equipped withthe appropriate facilities. The invitation
extended to the Tournemire center to join
this network marks the recognition of IRSN
research and assessment efforts targeting
safety in high-level waste geologicalrepositories and encourages the promotion ofthis experimental platform on an international
scale.

50

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

ORGANIZATION

Openness to society“The year 2007 saw the end of a forced
ventilation experiment in the Mont-Terri(Switzerland) experimental center.
It was carried out as part of a European
project to study the effects of ventilationon the properties of the surrounding
geological formation, which appear to
be limited. By participating in the research
conducted at Mont-Terri, IRSN was able
to collect results that served to complement
those obtained at Tournemire.
For example, the Mont-Terri laboratory
can conduct experiments using radioactive
tracers, a possibility that is not offeredat Tournemire. The Mont-Terri clay
characteristics are also slightly different
from those at Tournemire, which broadens
our knowledge of these formations, making
it easier to extrapolate the results to thewaste disposal conditions prevalentat the future Andra site in the Meuse/Haute
Marne area.”

report and outlook

IRSN project leader forradioelement migrationin clay formations

Efforts to better understand this opposition
resulted in the European COWAM
programs, which aim to encourage
the involvement of all parties concerned.
“COWAM in Practice” carries out workin five national groups: France, Spain,
Great Britain, Romania and Slovenia,
supported by a group of European social
science consultants.
IRSN’s involvement in “COWAM in
Practice” consists of participatingin the consultancy group and in the
French working group, coordinated bya representative of the French national
association of local information committees(Ancli).
This participative research program gives
the Institute the opportunity to exchange
ideas and information on best practices
concerning stakeholder involvement andto discuss them with all the French players
concerned (civil society, authorities,
operators) in a context outside any
decision-making processes.

2
CHALLENGE

Sébastien Savoye,

Radioactive waste management is asensitive subject in France and throughout
Europe, where citizens are regularly up inarms against the creation of new sites.

IRSN activites

in the word of...

Participationin Europeanwork
on radioactive waste
management

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Experimental gallery in the Andra undergroundlaboratory at Bure (Meuse/Haute-Marne).

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

51

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Monitor exposure levels of both workers and the public to ionizing radiationand monitor radioactivity in France

Radiologicalmonitoring of people

and the land in France

Part of IRSN’s public service role is to provide a continuous radiological watch, involving both
radiological monitoring of the environment and assessment of the exposure levels of workers
and the public to ionizing radiation. IRSN is equipped with the resources necessary to detect
abnormal levels of radioactivity in the environment. It is also expanding its knowledge ofradionuclide transfer mechanisms in the environment and exposure in the workplace.

Environmental
exposureRadiological monitoring in France aims toensure that activities using ionizing radiation
comply with current regulations and that, ingeneral, radiological conditions within the
country remain satisfactory. It is also designed to detect and characterize any situationin the environment that might result from aradiological or nuclear incident or accident
in France or abroad.

191

beaconsin the remotemonitoring
network in
France(210 in 2006)

1,000

ambient dose
rate measuring

points(1,000 in 2006)

600

sampling points

throughout
the country(600 in 2006)

52

Modernization of IRSN’s radiologicalalert network
The purpose of modernizing the ambient radioactivity
remote measuring networks is to improve the Institute’s ability to detect and appraise accidental radioactive
contamination in the air. This calls for improving data acquisition by upgrading the entire system, from the sensors
installed across the country to the monitoring software.
More efficient beacons also need to be installed. As partof this plan, different detectors for measuring the ambient
gamma dose rate were tested in 2007, and a call for tenders was launched to develop a prototype for continuous
measurement of aerosol radioactivity. Finally, IRSN has
configured a supervision software package designed tocentralize and report all the data collected on the remotemonitoring networks.
In parallel, a review of the geographical location of thedetectors was conducted to reinforce monitoring close tonuclear facilities and populated areas.

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Platform used to assess ambient gamma does rate measuring
instruments selected to modernize the Téléray network.

Public information on environmental
monitoring
In 2007, IRSN began renovating its Internet portal onenvironmental monitoring to provide better information
to the public. A home page explaining IRSN’s role nowINTERNET

ok

Integration

Analysislog

Websites
Restricted accessPublic website

Database
Baseline anddata

Baseline
Measurement and sampling data

Architecture diagram of the national network of environmental radioactivity measurements (RNM)

guides web users to two main sections presenting annual
radiological assessments and data collected on a daily basisby the Institute through its measuring networks. An “aerosol link” has been added to the second section to report
the results of IRSN’s daily monitoring of these elements,
where radioactivity is measured at 69 points throughout
France. The purpose of aerosol monitoring is to evaluate
the impact of human activities that use radionuclides
on ambient air and to detect any abnormal increase ofradiation in the air.
www.irsn.org

National network of environmental
radioactivity measurements
IRSN is in charge of development and technical management
for the French national network of environmental radioactivity measurements (RNM), directed by the French Nuclear
Safety Authority (ASN). In 2007 the Institute publishedthe second report on RNM management, summarizing
the steering committee’s work and the state of progressof various projects underway.
These projects include the future RNM information system,
designed to publish on the Internet environmental radioactivity measurements taken by various certified organizations. In 2007, IRSN developed a protocol for informationexchange between the data producers and the network’s
new central database, and created the data reporting form.
These two tools are necessary for electronic data exchangewith the various data sources.

PUBLICATION

Publication of the book

Les conséquences de l’accident
de Tchernobyl sur le territoirefrançais (Fallout in France fromthe Chernobyl accident)
In 2007, 20 years after the Chernobyl
accident, IRSN published a survey ofradioactive fallout in France.
This new edition gives the most up-todate information and interpretations
since the first edition appeared in 1999.
A survey of what is known about thetransfer of radioactive substances released
after the accident into the air, soil andfoodstuffs explains the levels of radioactive
contamination observed in France from1986 to 2006, and evaluates the exposureof the French population to fallout fromthe accident. The book presents what
has been learned from the disaster interms of knowledge and the developmentof scientific programs, radiologicalmonitoring and the management of nuclear
crises in France.

Philippe Renaud, Didier Champion,
Jean Brénot, Les retombées radioactives
de l’accident de Tchernobyl sur le territoirefrançais – Conséquences environnementales
et exposition des personnes, Lavoisier,coll. “Tec&Doc”, Paris, 2007.
www.tec-et-doc.com

31,000environmental
samples taken

per year(31,500 in 2006)

report and outlook

Transfer to e-mailaddress

Tests

100,000
radiologicalanalysesconducted(100 ,000 in 2006)

143

participants inintercomparison
exercises(137 in 2006)

4individual
radiologicaleventsdetected byradioactivity
monitoring
networks(3 in 2006)

Following a call for tenders launched in the spring, IRSN
chose the company who will be tasked with preparing thetechnical specifications for the new IT system. The document
describes the database functionalities and the principles
for reporting this information on the new RNM website.
System development will take place during 2008.
www.mesure-radioactivite.fr

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

53

3
CHALLENGE

Formatted
data

IRSN activites

Secure transfer
protocolENSURING EFFICIENCYFormatted
data

ORGANIZATION

Local interfaces:- Baseline- Data extraction- Archiving

Document
Transfer protocol

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Monitor exposure levels of both workers and the public to ionizing radiationand monitor radioactivity in France

Filter cartridges with traces of radioactive iodine to be sent
to laboratories participating in intercomparison test.

944

servicesto analyzedrinking water,
foodstuffs andother substances(888 in 2006)

2,847
referencestandards

Radioactivity in Camargue sands
In 2007, IRSN published its final report covering the resultsfrom studies conducted at the request of the French Ministry of the Environment on sands in the Camargue area,
which present unusually high radioactivity levels in certain
locations. The report confirms that the radioactivity in thesesands is natural in origin, and that its increase is attributableto naturally radioactive minerals from rock erosion in the
Massif Central and the Mont Blanc massif. These minerals
are carried to the Rhone by watercourses and dispersein the Mediterranean Sea before collecting on the coast
through natural sedimentation processes. Calculation of theadditional annual effective dose in reasonably conservative
exposure scenarios gave a value of 1 mSv. This result does
not call for special measures to protect the public.
www.irsn.org

producedby IRSN for
calibrating
radioactivity
measuring
instruments
Intercomparisons between measurement
which 1,046
were associated laboratories
with an internal Once a year IRSN organizes five intercomparison tests
request for special
sources to check to certify French laboratories specialized in the measurement of environmental radioactivity. To demonstrate thewhole-bodycounting systems competence of the participating laboratories, these tests(1,808 in 2006)
must represent normal measuring conditions as closely as

possible. In 2007, to meet this requirement the Instituteprepared a set of special protocols for four of the five tests.
These unique exercises involved measuring the following:	radioactive compounds trapped in an activated carbon
samples analyzed
filter;(samples from	carbon-14 in a sodium hydroxide solution;
the environment,
foodstuffs, other 	total alpha radioactivity deposited on an aerosol sampling
filter;substances, etc.)(35,000 in 2006)	ambient gamma dose equivalent.

35,00054

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Checking instruments anchored on the South Roustan buoy(mouth of Rhone River) for the EXTREMA project.

Transfer and behaviorof radioactive
substances inthe environment
To assess population exposure, it is firstnecessary to determine what type of naturaland artificial radioactivity may be present in
the environment, entailing population exposure. This is achieved by characterizing thesources and stores of radioactivity in theenvironment as accurately as possible, andany probably changes in space and time.
EXTREMA: a research partnership
The EXTREMA research project began in February 2007.
Funded by the French National Research Agency and directedby IRSN, the project aims to analyze the consequences ofextreme climatic events on the distribution and transfer
of contaminants in the environment. The year 2007 wasdevoted to setting up instrumentation at the mouth of theRhone to collect experimental values to be used in validatinga radionuclide dispersion model for the Gulf of Lion.
The EXTREMA project studies the environmental transferof radioactive contaminants of interest to IRSN, as well as
metal and organic pollutants that interest other partners
in the project such as IFREMER, the universities of AixMarseille, Perpignan and Toulouse, and the Midi-Pyrenees
Observatory.
The diversity of the scientific partners involved in the
EXTREMA project, the complementarity of their areas ofcompetence, and the investigative resources they eachcontribute constitute the strong points for a project of thisStudies on site
environments

Modeling transfers of radioactivity
in the environment
IRSN is taking part in the SYMBIOSE project, which aims todetermine the dosimetric impact of environmental radioactive contamination on humans. This innovative project,co-funded by EDF, has set out to develop a modeling andsimulation platform designed to host models or codes tocompute the transfer of radioactivity in different environments (in the air, on land, in water) for any type of release(into rivers, the sea or the air, during normal operation,
incidents or accidents). Following a build phase that began
in late 2005, IRSN delivered the first version of the tool to
EDF in November 2007. A demonstration revealed just how
powerful this tool was for computing impact on complex
environments.

Environment surrounding nuclear
facilities
Following a European call for tenders in 2007, IRSN waschosen by EDF to provide radioecological monitoring around
12 nuclear power plants until 2017. This contract continues
a partnership that has lasted for more than 20 years. The
service consists of updating shared knowledge of radioactivity levels around power plants, interpreting the originsof this activity, and monitoring any changes over time. This
involves annually monitoring traces of radionuclides that
may come from nuclear power plant effluents by taking
measurements from around forty locally produced foodstuffs and biological indicators (moss, algae and lichens) thatare known to concentrate radioactivity. Similar samples aretaken from rivers upstream and downstream the power
plants for comparison purposes. The Institute publishes afull report for each power plant once every ten years, basedon data collected over the period, including the results ofspecial measurements taken on samples to broaden thedetection target to all measurable radionuclides in theenvironment. Two ten-year reports were sent to EDF in
2007: one for Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux (Loir-et-Cher) and
one for Chinon (Indre-et-Loire).
This approach, which also provides reference values thatcan be used in the event of an accident resulting in therelease of radioactivity to the environment, is also of interest to other nuclear operators. The Institute has signed
a similar annual contract for the Comurhex site at Malvési(Aude) and for the power plant being decommissioned at
Creys-Malville (Isère).

The kick-off meeting of the PRIME project,directed by IRSN, was held in September
2007 in the Drôme region. This regional
project will organize concerted efforts
between experts, decision-makers andregional representatives to develop
a multicriteria method to characterizea region that may have been contaminatedafter an accident involving radioactive
substances. The chosen method will consistof ranking the radioecological sensitivity
factors of a specific region with regards
to radioactive contamination by seeking
the answers to questions such as: whichparameters are important in terms of
the influence they may have on the dose
received by humans and how should they
be ranked? Which parameters should be
used for decision-making? The area understudy lies within a radius of approximately
fifty kilometers of the Tricastin-Pierrelattesite and extends southwards to the mouth of
the Rhone and the Mediterranean coastline.

report and outlook
CHALLENGE

3

IRSN activites

A participative research
project to manage
contaminated regions

The Institute’s expertise in radiological monitoring often leads utility operators to request that IRSN teams study the impact of
their activities on the environment and population.

Food survey aroundthe Tricastin-Pierrelatte site
In 2007, the results of a food survey carried out in thevicinity of the Tricastin-Pierrelatte plant were made public
at the meeting of the commission for information on the
major energy facilities at Tricastin on March 21st. This survey,
carried out by IRSN at the request of AREVA NC, provided
the opportunity to assess the food rations of people living
close to the site and to determine precisely what portion
consists of locally produced foods. It confirmed the foodconsumption hypotheses used to calculate local population
exposure. More surveys based on the same principle will
be carried out near other EDF sites in 2008.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Openness to society

ORGANIZATION

scale, which none of them could have achieved individually.
The EXTREMA project is recognized by two competitivenessclusters in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region:
the “risk and vulnerability management” cluster, and the“PACA Sea” cluster.
http://net-science.irsn.org

55

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Monitor exposure levels of both workers and the public to ionizing radiationand monitor radioactivity in France

In 2007, it produced the second edition of the national
inventory of these sites. Compared with the first edition,
the new inventory includes around thirty additional sites,
and makes it easier to locate the sites and identify thewatercourses concerned. Development of a database giving the history of the sites and their administrative andenvironmental status is currently underway to complete
the information in the inventory.
www.irsn.org

Inventoried obsolete mining sites.

National inventory of uranium
mining sites
The MIMAUSA program, initiated by the Ministry for Ecology,
is tasked with collecting complete information on closed
uranium mining sites in France and making it available togovernment administrations and the public.

Assessment of the Saint-Pierre site
IRSN has continued expert assessment of the radiologicalcondition of the environment around the closed miningsite at Saint Pierre (Cantal) and has presented a summaryof its investigations to the local information committee.
The report includes a map of the gamma dose rate at
locations near the rehabilitated site (obtained using theautomated SOCRATE device designed by IRSN), as well as
results of environmental sampling campaigns and analyses.
Special focus was placed on water flowing from the site,
traces found in sediments of the Combret River and at
the inlet to the municipal lake, and analyses of low-level
radioactivity in the food chain. The CRIIRAD, invited toparticipate in this inventory by the local informationcommittee, also presented its results. The results of thisinvestigation will contribute to a series of proposals toimprove monitoring and reduce impact on the population,planned for 2008.
www.irsn.org

Openness to society

IRSN’s contribution in Limousin
As a driving force in the creation of the joint
expert group on uranium mining sites inLimousin (GEP Limousin), IRSN continues toparticipate actively in the group’s activities
and contributes to on-going debates.
The GEP Limousin group is tasked with
providing a critical analysis of the situation
resulting from obsolete mining operations,from an environmental and health pointof view, based on documents produced by
AREVA NC and the assessment of these
documents by IRSN. It also proposes
improvement action where necessary.
In 2007, GEP Limousin pursued its work,

56

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

publishing two progress reports and thefirst series of recommendations, someof which were quickly implemented by
AREVA NC. Fulfilling the role assigned bypublic authorities, it has also reported its
conclusions to local organizations involvedin concertation (the local information andmonitoring committee at Bellezane and theHaute-Vienne departmental council for healthand technological risks and the environment).
Meanwhile, IRSN has carried out a detailed
analysis of the available data, used by experts
taking part in the work.
www.irsn.org

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

IRSN monitors worker exposure to ionizing radiation.

Radiation protection ofworkers
In the field of worker radiation protection,
IRSN’s work aims to provide public authorities and employers with the knowledge andtools they need to control the risks associatedwith ionizing radiation in normal situations
and in the event of accidental exposure.
Deployment of a new dosimeter
IRSN currently supplies dosimeters to more than half the
exposed workers in France. The project to replace the photographic dosimeter used up until now with a radiophotoluminescence (RPL) dosimetry technique, begun in 2006,
made important progress in 2007.

In parallel, with a constant focus on customer satisfaction,delivery and deployment of the new dosimeter will beaccompanied by reinforced customer relations.
www.irsn.org

Monitoring and analysis of professional
exposure
In 2007, IRSN set up a special unit to develop and operate
the SISERI system (information system for monitoring
professional exposure to ionizing radiation). The databasefor this system enables IRSN to centralize and conserve dataon worker dosimetry in France, in accordance with its role asdefined by the Labor Code. The unit is also responsible formonitoring and recording radiological events and incidents
of any origin. The data collected is analyzed and presented
in a panoramic view of worker radiological exposure.

Worker exposure to radonin underground environments
In 2007, IRSN validated a special method for characterizing
radon levels in underground locations. It takes account of
the various configurations of these environments and their
specific characteristics (temperature, humidity, etc.).

CHALLENGE

IRSN activites

Radiophotoluminescent dosimeter.

57

radiation
protection service
contracts

for regulatory
inspections,searching forradon in buildings,
studying sites
contaminatedwith radiation
or naturalradioactivity
augmented
through an
industrial process.
(66 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

57

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Following validation of the RPL dosimeter prototype, workrequired to set up the new dosimeter operating laboratory
was carried out at the Vésinet site (Yvelines). The automatedsystems required to accommodate dosimeter operation
were designed, built and installed in the new locations.
According to plan, the first RPL dosimeters were sent tocustomers in December and the technology transfer is
expected to be complete by the summer of 2008.
IRSN now has a high-performance dosimeter operated in alaboratory with a level of automation that has significantly
improved service efficiency, particularly in terms of the quality of the results and the time required to obtain them.

3

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Monitor exposure levels of both workers and the public to ionizing radiationand monitor radioactivity in France

At the request of the ministries of Culture and Agriculture,
the method was used by IRSN in about fifteen undergroundsites throughout the country during three campaigns tomeasure radon activity by volume. These studies, which
provided an estimate of worker exposure to radon, covered
everything from decorated caves to mushroom beds andcheese cellars. IRSN’s studies will provide the basis forchanges to regulations governing occupations carried out
in underground locations.

Neutron exposure
To maintain a high standard of expertise in neutron dosimetry, IRSN is developing an irradiation platform that can
reproduce all types of neutron field. In 2007, the Instituteperformed the first calibration services with the AMANDE
facility, which produces monokinetic neutrons. Work has
continued to develop measuring instruments to serve as
standards that can be used for complete facility qualification. The irradiation platform was also used in a research
project into the biological effects of ionizing radiation oncells, carried out in collaboration with INSERM.
The neutron spectrometry systems useful in workstation studies were improved to make them suitable fortaking measurements in the presence of a high-photon
component or for measuring high-energy neutrons. The
first measurements were taken to assess the impact of
secondary neutrons produced in radiotherapy facilities on
worker exposure.
Lastly, EDF called on IRSN neutron expertise to compare
different operational dosimeters.

Research outlet

New COFRAC accreditation
In 2007, IRSN obtained COFRAC accreditation
for its work on the identification and dosage of
gamma/X-emitting radionuclides in urine.
This recognition of the Institute’s professionalism
and skill marks the realization of its quality
policy, which bases radiotoxicological analyses
on the NF EN ISO 17025 standard: General
Instructions on the Competence of Test andCalibration Laboratories.
This success has encouraged the Institute topursue its accreditation program in the fieldof radiotoxicology. Accreditation formeasuring beta-emitting radionuclides byliquid scintillation has also been scheduled.

58

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

0 Gy

0,5 Gy

1 Gy

DAPI

pH2ax

Merge

Effect of neutrons on cells visualized using immunofluorescence.

Support for workstation dosimetry
studies
IRSN has published a practical guide for the various agencies
involved in the worker radiation protection that suggests
an approach to conducting studies on doses received atworkstations where there is a risk of exposure to ionizing
radiation. The publication draws on experience acquired by
IRSN in this field over many years, and is aimed principallyat directors, radiation protection officers and occupational
physicians. It suggests a method for collecting dosimetrydata, deciding how to classify workers and delimiting work

ORGANIZATION
The development of this method leapt forward in 2007,
giving way to an application for an international extensionof the IRSN patent filed in 2005, as well as implementation of the first tests of these extraction columns using
calixarenes under real conditions, i.e. in medical analysis
laboratories.
In 2007, these trials were conducted by IRSN’s medical radiotoxicology analysis laboratory, confirming the method’s
potential. Plans are to extend implementation to othermedical analysis laboratories in the private sector and toenvironmental sample analysis laboratories. In parallel,
research has begun on manufacturing calixarene-based
extraction columns for commercial use, to meet demand
from users both in France and abroad.

At the end of a nine-year open
process including two rounds ofInternet consultation, in March 2007
the International Commission on
Radiation Protection (ICRP) adopted
new recommendations on radiation
protection. With updated scientificcontent, the Recommendations present
significant advances for the managementof radiological risk. The same approach
now applies to all exposure situations(scheduled, emergency or existing).
In emergencies, the system recommends
optimizing exposure below a reference
level decided in advance according to
the nature of the situation. The ICRP also
gives more emphasis to environmental
protection and recommends setting up
strategies that apply in emergency or
existing exposure situations (natural or
post-accident exposure).
These Recommendations are the resultof a collective international effort in which
IRSN played a large part. The process
is continuing with an update of theinternational basic safety standards forradiation protection published by
the IAEA and Euratom.

workers

monitoredby dosimetry(152,028 in 2006)

19,319report and outlook

Review of ICRP
recommendations

164,732

radiotoxicologicalanalyses(21,978 in 2006)

3

225

whole-bodycounting
measurements(247 in 2006)

1,491,118
personal
dosimetersprovidedand used(1,518,412 in 2006)

CHALLENGE

Calixarenes: first tests in medical analysis
laboratories
IRSN is directing a research program in the field of radiotoxicology analysis aimed at improving nuclear worker
monitoring. This research has led to the development of
a new method for analyzing actinides (uranium, plutonium, americium) in urine that calls on molecules fromthe calixarene family to form extraction columns used toisolate these radionuclides.

INTERNATIONALIRSN activites

areas. Additional sheets explain how the method can beadapted to the different fields of activity concerned. The
first edition of the guide contains two sheets relevant tomedical activities: conventional radiology and interventional
radiology. New sheets will be added later to complete thepublication.
www.irsn.org

Using calixarenes to analyze actinides in urine.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

A new IRSN publication appears in the Technical Sheets section.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

59

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Help prevent the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons,
and control nuclear and radiological security in the face of terrorism

Necessary vigilancein the field of nuclear security
In addition to ensuring round-the-clock control of security at nuclear facilities, key activities
in 2007 for IRSN involved reviewing security regulations and a major overhaul of the nuclear
materials accountability system.

Protection andinspection of nuclear
and sensitive materials
Physical protection of nuclear materials
Officially designated experts from IRSN are appointed by the
Senior Defense and Security Official at the Ministry of the
Economy, Finance and Employment (HFDS/MINEFE) to carryout inspections of facilities holding nuclear materials at theofficial’s request. In 2007 the nuclear materials inspectors
carried out 53 inspections, including one “reactive” inspection following an incident that occurred while closing the
MASURCA facility at Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône).
During 2007, inspections focused particularly on:	protection measures taken outside working hours;	remote monitoring;	access control.

171

nuclear material
control
inspections(172 in 2006)

43

Inspections cover checking compliance with technical instructions and ensuring that equipment meets the desired
objective, taking into consideration plant layout (distance
between buildings, location of the security control center,surface area of the zone to be monitored, etc.).
Site physical protection systems are making more widespread use of IT systems to ensure video surveillance,
operate protection systems on complex sites, report alarms
centrally and analyze any alerts. In 2007 IRSN developed
and began testing a special security assessment tool for
the IT systems dedicated to protection.

More details

Taking nuclear
material inventory inan emergency situation
At the request of public authorities, IRSN
regularly organizes emergency response
exercises that involve taking nuclear
material inventory at a facility to test
decision-making chains and coordinationof those involved (operators, publicauthorities). These exercises consist of
taking a nuclear material inventory at
one or more facilities within the space ofa few hours to confirm or rule out any theftor misuse of these materials.
The exercise carried out in October2007 was the first for EDF. The exercise
scenario prepared jointly by IRSN and EDF
simulated a malicious act concerning a fuelassembly of the type used at EDF power
plants. The emergency response units of
EDF, IRSN and the HFDS/MINEFE went
into action. The exercise took place overapproximately eight hours and involved
over thirty people.
Twelve exercises of this type, held annually,
have already taken place. They havebeen used to prepare and test emergency
procedures applicable at major French
nuclear sites.

missions

to escort
international
inspectors
in nuclear andsensitive
material
inspections(45 in 2006)

60

Nuclear material follow-up andaccountability
Expert assessment and inspection activities
In 2007 IRSN carried out 138 analyses of files and 122
analyses of nuclear material inventory reports, at the requestof the HFDS/MINEFE.

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

IRSN experts also audit nuclear material follow-up andaccountability procedures at nuclear facilities. Nuclear
materials inspectors conducted 59 inspections in 2007 at
operator facilities that are required by the regulation toORGANIZATION
report and outlook

Equipment for measuring plutonium quantity in waste drums.

4
CHALLENGE

Throughout 2007 efforts focused particularly on plutonium
quantification using a passive neutron counter. Experiments
were conducted to qualify new data acquisition tools as
part of an international cooperation project at the Euro-

During 2007 a study was also conducted in collaboration with the Mathematical Computation Society (SCM)
to develop the use of statistical tools to evaluate code
performance in determining the isotopic composition of
plutonium based on gamma emission spectra. These codes
play an important role in nuclear material follow-up, particularly when it comes to measuring uranium enrichment.
Through studies of this kind, IRSN keeps a watch on thequality of results provided by commercial codes used fornuclear material inspections.

IRSN activites

Nuclear material metrology
For nuclear material follow-up and accountability, IRSN isdeveloping measuring systems for quantitative and qualitative characterization of nuclear materials.

pean Commission’s Joint Research Center in Ispra (Italy). In
parallel, efforts have been made to achieve better resultsin using Monte Carlo codes to model neutron emission
and the behavior of neutron counters. These Monte Carlocodes are used to develop and qualify new measuringsystems and also to assess equipment already in operation
at nuclear facilities.

In the words of…
Camille Grand,
Deputy Director of Multilateral Issues and Disarmament,
Department of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament,
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs“IRSN is our regular contact on mattersconcerning implementation of the Chemical
Weapons Convention. The Institute is involvedin preparing for, welcoming and escorting
inspection teams from the Organization for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
It is a key player in ensuring these inspections
are conducted correctly.
IRSN is also involved in training courses
given by the French training center for theprohibition of chemical weapons and provides

its expertise to the French delegation at
OPCW meetings and conferences and duringconsultations with our foreign partners.
Finally, the Institute plays an essential roleas an interface with industry. Its knowledgeof reality in the field, gained in particular by
escorting inspections, ensures the necessarybalance between compliance with Convention
obligations and the protection of our industrial
interests.”2

meetingsof restricted
expert groups(malicious acts)(0 in 2006)

1

crisis situation

nuclearmaterial
inventory
exercises(2 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

61

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

submit an authorization file. Some of these inspections
included a specific audit of material measurements andaccountability. Efforts made during the last few years to
improve the content of licensing and inspection files were
pursued in 2007. These documents are now operational
and are used during inspections.
The inspectors also conducted ten technical inspections
at facilities required by the regulation to file a declarationon their activities.

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Help prevent the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons,
and control nuclear and radiological security in the face of terrorism

International inspections
in a non-proliferation context
In 2007 IRSN developed two secure Internet portals – IODA
(for chemical data) and PIMENT (for nuclear data) – so that
French corporations could submit the chemical productdeclarations required by the Chemical Weapons Convention(CWC) and the import/export notifications for nuclear
materials declared under Euratom Regulation 302/2005 inelectronic format, allowing IRSN and inspection authorities
to process this information more efficiently.
International inspections of chemical facilities
IRSN escorted four inspections requested by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at
French civil facilities in 2007. The OPCW did not issue any
comment following these inspections relative to compliancewith the provisions of the CWC in France. The Institutehas also carried out several initiatives to prepare industrial
corporations that may be inspected, where procedures callfor on-site sampling and analyses.
In accordance with the CWC, States Party to the Convention
are obligated to accept challenge inspections from anothertreaty partner. This type of inspection has never been used,however, although some countries have conducted exercisesto this effect. IRSN took part in the last challenge inspection
exercise organized by the Netherlands in Delft in September
2007. Because the French Ministry of Foreign and European
Affairs wishes to organize a similar exercise in France in thenear future, IRSN participated in a challenge inspection
working group, preparing documents that would be used
to host this type of check in France and coordinating theworking group responsible for logistics.
IRSN has also led several of the new training courses on
escorting OPCW inspections, set up by the French training
center for the prohibition of chemical weapons, for the
benefit of national authorities in other countries.
International inspections of nuclear facilities
The European Commission has announced its intention to
set up regular annual meetings with operators to discussinspection procedures and results. Consequently, in addition
to escorting 43 inspections, including one audit exercise
at the Eurodif facility in Pierrelatte (Drôme), IRSN played
an active role in the eight plenary meetings organized in2007 at the plants of major French operators. Regarding
the transmission of information about nuclear facilities
when inspections are hosted in France, IRSN has assessed
the Commission’s requests to remove a certain number ofsensitive documents.
The operators and French authorities had approved theserequests, provided that the methods agreed upon by all

62

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Openness to society

Information
on non-proliferation
In early 2007 IRSN launched a new website
on nuclear, chemical and biological nonproliferation. It was set up to provide
information to a specialist audience on
IRSN’s non-proliferation-related activities,
and also to explain to operators of chemicalor nuclear facilities subject to theseregulations their obligations regarding
declarations and inspections.
The site presents the historical developmentof non-proliferation regimes and alsopresents the three main internationalorganizations (Euratom, IAEA and OPCW)
responsible for enforcing non-proliferation
treaties. Operators can use the site to
download the declaration documents (forms
and handbooks) and prepare for inspections.
IRSN has been congratulated by several
corporations for the information and clarityof this site.
www.irsn.org/non-proliferation

parties were used to transmit the information so as to ensurethat this information was adequately protected.
Because new accountability declaration formats defined by
Euratom Regulation No. 302/2005 will soon be introduced,
IRSN has made a special effort to advise operators and assist
them in their relations with the Commission.
Finally, IRSN played an active role in discussions with
operators, French authorities, Euratom and the IAEA on
the application of international inspections at the Georges
Besse II plant. The IAEA announced that it would inspect
the facility according to the same principles as the otherthree European centrifuge enrichment plants.

Protection against
malicious acts
Regulatory text reviews
EIn 2007 IRSN participated in the review of French regulations relevant to malicious acts involving nuclear materials,
transport and facilities.
The draft regulations include a decree to enforce Articles
L.1332 and L.1333 of the French Defense Code, and tenorders.

ORGANIZATION

More details

Mobile laboratory provided for inspectors
IRSN has developed a mobile laboratory
unit made available to inspectors from theOrganization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW) when they are conducting
inspections involving sampling and analysis.

1: Mobile laboratory unit.

4
CHALLENGE

The OPCW inspectors used the mobilelaboratory (Figure 1) fitted with their own
analysis equipment to fulfill inspection
requirements by performing analyses(Figure 2) without disrupting activity at
the site (where inspector access is limited towhat is strictly necessary in the laboratory andoperations buildings). The mobile laboratoryoffers a secure working environment while
protecting the confidentiality of industrial
research, development and operations.
The mobile laboratory was also shown tomembers of IRSN’s board of directors in
October, and to the armed forces radiation
protection service (SPRA) and representatives
from CEA in November

report and outlook

The OPCW just recently conducted inspectionsof this type at chemical sites handling Table 2
chemicals in about fifteen countries includingFrance. Table 2 chemicals are dual-use
chemicals that can be used by industry forthe manufacture of medicines, ink, etc. but also
as a precursor to chemical warfare agents.

Meetings to present the draft texts of these orders havebeen organized by the HFDS/MINEFE with the main operators concerned.

Meetings of restricted expert groups
The restricted expert groups tasked with examining thetechnical aspects of protecting nuclear facilities against
acts of sabotage, for which IRSN is both spokesperson andsecretary, met twice in 2007.
The first meeting relaunched the restricted expert groups
consultation process. It focused mainly on how they would
function, their missions and their work programs.
The second meeting looked at how potential malicious acts
would be taken into account in the EPR reactor project.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

These texts concern applications for authorization to engage
in activities involving nuclear materials, the associated justification studies, provisions to ensure physical follow-up andaccountability of materials, and provisions to ensure their
physical protection within a facility and during transportin public areas.
Regarding transport, the new regulations are based on a
general order, supplemented by separate orders that take
into account the specific features of road, rail, sea and airtransport.
These orders specify the approval procedures for meansof transport used for categories I and II nuclear materials,
the obligations of authorization holders (transport plans,
advance notice and execution procedures) and the role of
IRSN transport control center.

IRSN activites

2: OPCW inspector analyzing a sample in the mobile laboratory.

Security of radioactive sources
The study program aimed at tightening up security against
malicious acts targeting radioactive sources continued in2007. The Institute put forward a series of measures involving
facilities and transport which aim to reduce the opportunities for malicious use of those sources identified as themost sensitive. A progress report was sent in early 2007 to

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

63

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Help prevent the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons,
and control nuclear and radiological security in the face of terrorism

the various ministerial departments that may have a roleto play in this area. Work continued with the identificationof plausible malicious act scenarios, based on radioactive
sources use to evaluate the associated radiological impact.
The next step consists of proposing measures to improvethe medical and healthcare response, where necessary, fora few selected scenarios considered to be representativeof malicious acts involving radioactive materials. A working
group of representatives from HFDS/MINEFE, the Nuclear
Safety Authority (ASN) and IRSN was set up in the summer of 2007 to decide whether it would be appropriate toreinforce current legal provisions.

Inventory of radioactive sourcesin France
To implement the decree that founded IRSN on the publichealth code, IRSN manages the French national inventory ofradioactive sources. In 2007 the number of authorizations
issued by competent authorities was approximately 8000,
6000 of which were for industrial or research applications

In the words of…

Yann Billarand,
Head of IRSN’s Source
Assessment Unit
“IRSN’s help has been requested by
the IAEA for a project to set up aninternational catalogue of radioactive
sealed sources, since the Instituteis responsible for managing the Frenchnational inventory of radioactive sources.
This role is explicitly described in thedecree that founded IRSN, and the Institutehas consequently developed a source
inventory information and management
system (SIGIS) that contains all information
concerning authorizations relevant tosources (holding, use, import, export, etc.)
and the movements of these sources.
The work requested by the IAEA involves
crosschecking data submitted tothe international organization by Frenchindustrial corporations, manufacturers
and suppliers (regarding the type of source,equipment containing sources, suppliers,etc.) against information held in the French
database. A meeting was held with
the IAEA in December 2007 wherea new version of the catalogue waspresented.”

64

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

and 1650 involved the medical field. In addition, 11,000
movements of radioactive sources were recorded in the
SIGIS database, which now contains nearly 32,000 registeredsources. In the first ten months of 2007, IRSN processed
4,300 requests for supply of sealed sources. There was strong
growth in the sector of lead detection in paint using X-ray
fluorescence, with more than 3000 devices in service anddiagnostics being soon extended to rental real estate.

Consequences of a malicious act
affecting nuclear material transport
IRSN has produced a summary of the possible consequencesof remote weapon-fire on a vehicle carrying plutoniumoxide or irradiated fuels. The study assessed any mechanicaldamage to the protection, packaging and internal structures,
as well as potential release into the environment, dependingon the type of weapon used. Release is characterized by
the composition, mass and granulometry of the materials
discharged, and the radioactivity present.
As part of its assessment of the potential consequencesof a malicious act, IRSN financed a study by the Institut
Faunhofer and GRS (Germany) on the dispersion of powder
in a container subject to an impact from a high-speed object. Work consisted of conducting academic experiments
to identify the physical phenomena that cause the powder
to move, which then served as a basis for establishing amodel.
International activities
In 2007, at the request of the IAEA, IRSN participated, as
an instructor or lecturer, in international courses covering
design basis threats (Morocco), physical protection ofresearch reactors (Serbia and Congo), and the basics ofphysical protection for nuclear materials and facilities(Morocco and Indonesia). The Institute also took part in a
mission on Radiation Safety and Security of Radioactive
Sources Infrastructure Appraisal (RaSSIA) to evaluate thesecurity of radioactive sources in Niger.
IRSN participated in various working groups to revise IAEA
circular INF/CIRC/225 containing recommendations forthe protection of nuclear materials and facilities, and also
worked on the structure of IAEA recommendation texts.
In May 2007 the Institute organized the 29th annual meetingof the European Safeguards Research and Development
Association (ESARDA) in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-duRhône), which was attended by some 300 experts in nuclear
security and non-proliferation from European operators andnational and international control organizations. On thisoccasion, IRSN presented its expertise in nuclear materials
control, illustrated by eight publications and a display oftransportable equipment used during inspections.

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

More details

Nuclear safety andsecurity: IRSN evaluates
potential synergies
As part of its mission to protect nuclear
facilities against malicious acts, IRSN
conducted a comparative analysis ofsafety and security procedures, identifying
similarities, the specific features of each,and the synergies existing between the
two areas. The analysis was presented at
the international conference on research
reactors, held in Sydney in November 2007.

CHALLENGE

4

IRSN activites

The group responsible for coordinating studies conductedin cooperation with the Department of Energy (UnitedStates) met for the first time in 2007. Current work involves
determination of the isotopic composition of plutonium
using gamma spectrometry, and numerical simulation used
for the quantification of plutonium in MOX fuel.

ESARDA conference at Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône).

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Carborundum micrography used in testing powder resuspension.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

65

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Develop IRSN’s response and mobilization capabilities to face the riskof a major radiological emergency

Radiological, nuclear andpost-accident emergencies

In the event of a radiological or nuclear emergency, IRSN is tasked with assessing the impact
on the population and the environment. This predictive assessment after the event helps publicauthorities make the necessary decisions. To improve its responsiveness and efficiency, theInstitute is constantly updating its crisis organization and assessment resources.

National policy
IRSN advises public authorities in defining
accident situation management policy, particularly with regards to iodine prophylaxis
and the management of post-accident situations.

2actionstaken bythe emergency
response center(0 in 2006)

9national nuclear
emergency
exercises(excluding
defense-related
activities)(10 in 2006)

Harmonization of practices
for administering stable iodine
In 2006 the French Nuclear Safety Authority was tasked
by the Ministry of Health with developing a new policy on
stable iodine prophylaxis in the event of a nuclear accident.
IRSN took part in two working groups set up by the Authority, one national and the other international with several
neighboring countries. Proposals aimed at harmonizing thepharmaceutical form, dose, and the level of intervention
associated with stable iodine administration in the countries consulted were sent to the Ministry of Health. IRSN
contributed to this work by specifying the hypotheses used
to evaluate thyroid dose through inhalation in the event ofan accident, as well as the health benefits to be expectedby lowering the current level of intervention associatedwith administration.

In an accident situation, taking stable iodine tablets stops radioactive
iodine from entering the thyroid gland.

choosing the hypotheses on which predictive assessments
would be based.

7

dose
assessments

by biologicaldosimetry.
(77 in 2006,
IRSN has intervened following
accidents
in Dakar, Chile
and Belgium.)66

National policy on the managementof nuclear post-accident situations
In 2007 IRSN pursued its contribution to work being conducted by the Executive Committee to manage the post-accident phase of a nuclear accident (CODIR-PA), set up by
the French Nuclear Safety Authority in 2005. The Instituteparticipated widely in the thematic groups that were organized. It coordinated two of them, one responsible for
evaluating the radiological and dosimetric impact on theenvironment and humans, and the other responsible for

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

The operational recommendations that came out of thefirst phase of CODIR-PA’s work on managing the immediate
impact of an accidental radioactive release in terms ofregions, property and population, were given in a progress
report.
These recommendations were based on data taken from two
scenarios calculated by IRSN for medium-sized accidents
affecting a pressurized water reactor.

ORGANIZATION

More details

Emergency response: the 2007 update5

Traffic accident in Lapalud (Vaucluse) involving a vehicle
carrying radioactive materials.

IRSN is improving its emergency response organization and resources to ensure that it isable to act rapidly in the event of a radiologicalor nuclear emergency.
Accreditation of IRSN’s biologicaldosimetry
In July 2007 IRSN’s Biological Dosimetry Laboratory received
ISO 17025 accreditation for its assessment of irradiationdose using cytogenetic tools. This accreditation covers
investigations where the dose is assessed several months
after the event that may have entailed exposure.
It is the result of four years’ work during which many technical validations were necessary. The Institute’s BiologicalDosimetry Laboratory is only the second in the world toreceive accreditation for this activity.

Founding a national biological dosimetry
network
In cases of accidental exposure to ionizing radiation, it isimportant to assess the received dose as quickly as possible so a diagnosis can be made. To deal with situations
where there are more victims than a single laboratory
can handle, the IRSN has organized a national biologicaldosimetry network. Laboratories run by the CEA and theFrench Natural History Museum are part of this network.
In 2007 the Institute organized two intercomparisons tocheck that the working methods of all those involved in
the network were correctly harmonized.

Modernizing IRSN’s mobile radiologicalresponse equipment
In 2007 IRSN acquired new mobile radiological response
equipment. For environmental measurements, a laboratory
vehicle is used to take radiological measurements and establish characterizations based on samples of water, soil,
air, rock, plants and other materials taken on site.

1

emergency
exercise related

to the securityof facilities(0 in 2006)

3

national
emergency
exercises related

to the safety ofdefense-related
facilities(1 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

67

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Consolidation of
emergency responseorganization

IRSN activites

CHALLENGE

In 2007 a response team from the Institute was
deployed on three occasions:in April 2007, in La Fère-Champenoise(Marne) following a road traffic accident
involving a vehicle carrying a type B package
containing a cesium-137 source (80 TBq);
in September 2007, in Lapalud (Vaucluse)
following a road traffic accident involving
a vehicle carrying sources used in nuclear
medicine (74 packages);
in November 2007 in Paris, at the 8th district
police station, to identify and secure astrontium-90 source (5 MBq) left by a private
individual.
Each time, the duty engineer at IRSN sent out
an alert to mobilize the response team.
Within a few hours, the team reached
the site and proceeded to secure it, gather
information, repackage and, if necessary,remove objects or packages.

IRSN’s emergency response center was also
called upon to respond on two occasions in
2007. It spent two weeks in March conducting
a full assessment of radiotherapy practices
at Epinal hospital, and on the night of April 9,
2007, was called in following the loss of train
A on reactor 3 at the Dampierre nuclear power
plant (Loiret).

report and outlook

Coping with emergency situations quickly,
professionally and efficiently is the taskof IRSN’s response teams. Operations
are conducted jointly with public authorities
and local command centers (local government
representatives, police forces, fire department,etc.).

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Develop IRSN’s response and mobilization capabilities to face the riskof a major radiological emergency

For measurements in humans, a mobile whole-body radiation counting laboratory has been built, specially designed
for measuring complex cases of contamination. To complete
the response system, particularly in the post-accident phase,a command vehicle has been designed to immediately
deploy the appropriate teams and measuring equipmentin the field.

by IRSN, the program brought together clinicians from
Percy Hospital, radiopathologists from IRSN and the Army
Health Service research center, and physicists from theInstrumentation, Signals and Systems Research Laboratory at Paris XII University. One particular feature of thisprogram was the development of a measuring device thatuses the skin’s optical properties as an aid in the diagnosisof radiation burns. A patent has been filed for this device(see Research outlet).

Improving tools
The tools used in an emergency situation
require the reconstruction of radiation doses,
and an experimental methodology platform
is currently being developed to improve thenecessary techniques. This project also covers tools used to assess accident situations
at facilities and their environmental impact,
and to provide support for post-accident management.
Using cell therapy to treat radiationinduced injuries
Two very serious cases of accidental irradiation that occurred in Chile and Senegal were successfully treated byinjecting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the lesions. This treatment, based on experimental work by IRSN
conducted in cooperation with the Percy Armed Forces
Teaching Hospital and used on the Chilean patient, is aworld first. Medical follow-up of this patient over a periodof more than 18 months has shown that the treatment
administered prevented the recurrences characteristic ofradiation burns. In the case of the Senegalese patient, theseriousness of the injury resulting from exposure to a doseof nearly 50 Gy left little hope of a successful recovery
after traditional surgery. A combination of complex surgical techniques and repeated local MSC injections over a
period of time led to a positive outcome for the patientand avoided amputation of the arm.
These encouraging results prompted the team to attempttherapeutic trials on a compassionate basis on two patients
suffering from serious rectitis following overexposure at Épinal hospital (Vosges). With the use of cell therapy, new hopes
are emerging for the treatment of tissue injuries caused by
accidental irradiation or radiotherapy. Research work willcontinue to consolidate and develop these results.

Diagnosis of radiation burns
The research program to improve the diagnosis of burns
caused by radiation, supported by the French Armament
Procurement Agency, came to an end in 2007. Coordinated68

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Study on contaminated wounds
Internal contamination from uranium can occur accidentallyin the nuclear fuel cycle industry by inhalation, ingestion,
injection or absorption through intact or injury skin. An
experimental study, which ended in 2007 and was conducted
as part of an IRSN/AREVA NC common interest project, hasmade it possible to model different types of injury. Results
show that the kinetics of uranium incorporation througha wound depend on the chemical or physical agent thatcaused the wound. The data obtained have provided useful
information for improving the immediate treatment ofcontamination through injuries.

In the words of…
Lionel Hugard,
General Practitioner, Deputy
Director of Scientific andTechnical Activities at the
French Army Health Service“The framework agreement signed
in 2007 between IRSN and the French
Army Health Service fulfills a shared desire
to pool skills and resources to respond to
the population’s needs in emergency
situations. This is an area in which
our respective roles in protecting the
population are complementary.
The cooperation agreement covers
providing support for diagnostics,
screening and prognosis, ensuring
dosimetry, treating the injured, andproviding mobile response equipment.
It allows us to harmonize our proceduresand prepare to respond in an emergency.
It also covers joint research, with special
focus on the regeneration of irradiatedtissues. The agreement is a follow-up toa series of actions taken over the years.
It should strengthen, optimize and sustain
their effectiveness.”

ORGANIZATION

Research outlet

Managing a contaminated urban
or agricultural environment
Designed by IRSN, ICAR is a computer tool that compares
strategies for managing contaminated urban or agriculturalenvironments on the basis of radiological criteria (population exposure, doses to response teams, contaminationof agricultural products, etc.) and non-radiological criteria(timescales and resources for operations, waste produced,etc.). The first version of the application was finalized in
2007.

Development of emergency tools
In an emergency situation, IRSN must be able to makeassessments in order to provide effective support to publicauthorities. For this purpose, the Institute is developing andupgrading the resources used to assess the condition of a
facility and the radiological impact of the situation.

Two patent applications
in radiopathology
Research findings in radiopathology due
to high dose exposure have led to practicaloutlets for which IRSN has filed two patentapplications. The first involves using adiposetissue cell fractions to regenerate tissue after
irradiation. This patent is the outcome ofcollaborative scientific work carried out by
researchers at the Institute and at the CNRS.
The second patent covers the invention ofa device that assists with the diagnosis andprognosis of physiopathological changes
in tissues after irradiation, resulting fromresearch conducted by IRSN in partnershipwith the French Armament Procurement
Agency.

report and outlook

Microlocation of uranium (in brown) in the skin (in blue)
after contamination.

About defense

Development of a new platform for computing and mapping (C3X) radiological impact continued, and is scheduled
to replace the system currently in use in the emergency
response center in the course of 2008:	the functionalities of the operational version of the KrX
tool, used to compute radiological impact, have been
defined;	the graphics post-processing tool cartX has been developed to generate clearer maps more quickly;
	development of the reportX tool for presenting results
has been completed.

5

IRSN activites

CHALLENGE

Facility protection exercises
A national security exercise was run in November 2007at the Cattenom plant (Moselle), involving around 200
people. The aim was to test coordination between
EDF, responsible for the physical protection of thesite, and public authorities: the Prefect of Moselle,
the Public Prosecutor of Thionville, and police forces.
Acting on behalf of the Senior Defense and Security
Official from the Ministry of the Economy, Finance,and Industry, IRSN took part in the preparation of thisexercise, writing the scenario in consultation with EDF
and national police forces. The exercise was directedby a representative of the Senior Defense and Security
Official and supervised by IRSN staff, with observers
from the Institute in attendance. In general, the Institute coordinates a working group tasked with learning
lessons from security exercises.

ENSURING EFFICIENCYIn 2007 the first two software applications for the newversion of the SESAME system (version 4) were released.
The first is used to recover the main parameters for thefacility concerned, in the event of an accident affecting an
EDF reactor; the second calculates any release that could
result from the accident. In parallel, new tools are being
developed to improve computing efficiency for accidents involving steam generator tube rupture and pressure changes
in containment, and to achieve more accurate assessmentson the impact of an accident that would lead to reactor core
meltdown. The PDS application, developed in partnershipwith EDF, is used to determine how a loss of offsite power
affects the different systems in a nuclear reactor. A version
for 1300 MWe reactors was installed in the emergency
response center in 2007. Its extension to 900 MWe reactors
began in 2007 and should be completed in 2008.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

69

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Understand the effects of chronic low-level exposure

Chronic exposure

To improve our knowledge of the effects of chronic low-level contamination on humans
and the environment, IRSN is carrying out research on whole organisms, as well as studiesof pathologies associated with the chronic exposure of populations living in contaminatedregions, and risk assessments based on epidemiological studies.

ENVIRHOM program
The ENVIRHOM program is studying the impact of chronic exposure to low-dose radionuclides on human beings and the environment.
In 2007 research specific to the environment
focused on the transfer of selenium and uranium to soil, and the effects of low concentrations of uranium on aquatic organisms. In
research on humans, progress was made inunderstanding the impact of chronic ingestion of cesium-137.
Effects of the chronic ingestionof cesium-137
Following on from work done on sleep, the intestine, andthe metabolism of vitamin D and cholesterol, studies on
the effects of chronic ingestion of cesium-137 in rats
have continued on three other physiological systems. Thisdecision was guided by the purported increase in the incidence of certain pathologies in populations living in regions
contaminated after the Chernobyl accident.
The effects of experimental chronic ingestion of cesium-137
on the immune system, particularly the thymus, werestudied in 2007. The thymus is the organ that produces
the main constituents of the immune system during fetal
development. Various parameters reflecting the functioningof this organ were measured. No differences were observed
between the control groups and the contaminated groups.
The preliminary result suggests that cesium-137 has no
major influence on the formation of the immune system.
The study of its effects on the cardiovascular system inrats revealed an increase in markers for cardiac problems, a
reduction in blood pressure, and changes in the production ofproteins involved in vascular tonus and potassium transport.
Tissue analysis and the ECG, however, did not reveal any
structural or functional damage to the heart.

70

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

In the words of…
Isabelle Dublineau,
Head of IRSN’s
Experimental
Radiotoxicology Laboratory“I presented work on the human aspect of
the ENVIRHOM program to the Cadarache
local information committee. This work,
carried out at the committee’s request,
followed a similar study of the effects
on the environment of chronic exposure
to low-dose radionuclides. My presentation
concerned IRSN’s work on the chronic
effects of the ingestion of uranium or
cesium-137 on non-cancerous pathologies
in rats. The conclusions showed that,for uranium, the effects observed had
no pathological consequences.
For cesium-137, our conclusions weresimilar in that roughly the same doses
as those delivered following the Chernobyl
accident had no pathological effects
on healthy adult animals. We now needto study more sensitive populations,such as children.
These results aroused a lot of interestin the audience and confirmed thatcivil society expects us to provide moreaccessible and less technical information
than scientific publications. These arevery valuable exchanges for the Institutebecause they help to apprehend
the public’s questions about
the environment.”

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

In 2007 the effects of chronic ingestion of cesium-137 were studied on various physiological systems.

New epidemiological investigations
on workers
To study the possible carcinogenic effects of internal contamination in workers in the French nuclear industry, in 2007
IRSN carried out a pilot study at the AREVA NC establishment at Pierrelatte (Drôme). The aim was to develop amethod that could be used to evaluate internal exposure
to the uranium and chemicals used at this plant. To begin,occupational health and safety experts drew up the list of
substances to be considered, and traced changes in theworkstations between 1960 and 2006.
The study covered 353 volunteers, all workers at the Pierrelatte site who were still working or retired, and who
took part in the assessment of exposure levels at different
workstations. This group work led to the creation of a

CHALLENGE

The purpose of epidemiological studies is
to observe the deferred effects of exposure
to ionizing radiation and quantify the risks
associated with exposure originating from a
professional, medical, environmental, or accidental situation.

6

Lung cancer, radon and smoking
in uranium miners
As part of the epidemiological study on the mortality ofFrench uranium miners, IRSN has revealed an increase in
the risk of lung cancer associated with cumulative exposure to radon. To take into account the effects of tobacco,
a special study was carried out to reconstruct data on thesmoking habits of part of the population of miners. The
results show that even when smoking habits are taken into
consideration, there is still a correlation for miners between
radon exposure and the risk of dying from lung cancer. The
risk coefficients resulting from this study, published in theinternational journal Health Physics in 2007, are consistent
with those in the international scientific literature.

IRSN activites

Chronic risks

database known as the “job exposure matrix”. It describes
the exposure of each of the workers to 22 agents definedas carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction, at 79
different workstations over the period 1960-2006.

Positive assessment of ERICA andcontinuation of PROTECTThe European ERICA project (Environmental Risk from Ionizing Contaminants: Assessment and Management) came toan end in February 2007. This Euratom FP6 project, initiatedto develop a method of environmental risk assessment forradionuclides, involved 15 partners from seven countries
over three years. Its achievements included:
	updating the database that records the effects of ionizing
radiation on non-human organisms;
	using this database to suggest criteria for protecting
ecosystems;

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Finally, chronic contamination from cesium-137 causeschanges in the way steroid hormones are metabolized.
These initial results show that chronic ingestion of cesium-137 does produce certain biological effects. However,no pathological impact was found in healthy adults (seeinterview).

71

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Understand the effects of chronic low-level exposure

PRELIMINARY PHASE - Objective/Problem posed• Qualitative or semi-quantitative expert opinion on the pertinence of the assessment• Hyperconservative hypothesis, extreme scenarios

PHASE 1 - Screening

Releaselicensing/regulation
Interaction
between phases
depending on
selected
management
options• Using ERICA exposure analysis tools(equilibrium models, reference organisms, dose coefficient)• Comparison with a benchmark – PNED or backcalculated PNEDRPHASE 2 – General assessment• Degree of conservatism lowered• More realistic transfer models used, more representative reference organisms• Specific site data introduced• Comparison with the same benchmark without PNED or backcalculated PNEDRPHASE 3 – Complete assessment• Retrospective assessment
Additional field data collected, new impact data collected in laboratory• Predictive assessment
Site-specific, refined modeling of all potentially affected ecosystems, determinationof other transfer coefficients (in laboratory or field), new impact data collectedin laboratory, alternative scenarios tested to reassess risk.

Accident
scenario
Probably
necessary
to begin from
Phase 2.
Interaction
between phases
dependingon post-accident
management
options chosen.

Approach chosen for the environment radiological risk assessment method in ERICA, adapted from ERICA 2005.

Openness to society

Assessing the impactof nuclear facilities
on human health
People living close to nuclear facilities have
many questions about the impact of thesefacilities on their health. Local informationcommittees and their national association,
Ancli, regularly pass on these questions
to IRSN. The Institute proposed to review
these questions from a general perspective,
in collaboration with InVS, and to findsuitable ways to answer them, focusing
on two areas:e stablishing an assessment of the healthsituation of the population livingin the vicinity of a nuclear facility;c reating a model to produce
a quantitative assessment of the risks
to human health associated with living
near a facility.
The first topic was given priority and led to
the Ancli/IRSN/InVS working group, whichaims to develop a guide on the benefits
and limitations of health assessment tools
depending on the actual local situation.

72

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

	conceiving a method for characterizing ecological riskthat incorporates analysis of the exposure of fauna andflora as well as impact analysis.
The project team examined various issues related to risk
management and decision-making, and consulted morethan 50 potential users from industry, research and theregulatory sector.
Following on from the ERICA project, the Euratom FP6
initiative PROTECT (Protection of the Environment from
Ionizing Radiation in a Regulatory Context, 2006-2008) aims
to compare current regulations governing environmental
protection with regards to chemicals and radionuclides.

Environmental risk assessment methods
As part of its contribution to the pluralistic assessment
group on uranium mining sites in Limousin (GEP Limousin),
IRSN has suggested adapting the ecological risk assessment
method developed for the European ERICA project to thestudy of the environmental impact of mining activities.
Data on radionuclide concentrations measured since 1993
as part of AREVA NC’s environmental monitoring program
have been used to assess the concentrations of uranium
and its descendants in water, sediment, fauna and flora.
Data on exposure have been combined with data on theeffects of ionizing radiation on non-human live species tocalculate a risk index for ecosystems. This indicator can be

The above methods, developed as part of the ERICA project,
have also been applied to the OSPAR committee’s workon radioactive substances. At the request of the General
Directorate for Energy and Raw Materials, IRSN has proposeda method for assessing to what extent reducing humaninduced radionuclides in the Northeast Atlantic would
lower doses delivered to non-human organisms. Basedon concentrations measured in the environment (water,
sediment, seaweed, fish, molluscs), a representation of themarine ecosystem is used to calculate the doses organisms
receive depending on their degree of exposure. The results
were presented in December 2007 at an OSPAR committee
working group meeting.

ORGANIZATION
report and outlook

used to determine whether or not exposure induces any
harmful effects on the ecosystems. The conclusions of thisstudy could lead to recommendations on environmental
monitoring.

Sampling water downstream from a uranium mine.

INTERNATIONALThe CORE health program in the districtof Chechersk, Belarus

6

IRSN activites

CHALLENGE

A cooperation agreement was signed between
IRSN and the Chechersk district hospital.
Medical and dosimetric assessments of morethan 2500 children were carried out in 2006
and 2007, and results are currently being
analyzed.
During 2007, the Nuclear Protection
Assessment Study Center (CEPN) and the
Association for Measuring Radioactivity in theWest (ACRO) began working on improving theradiological quality of foodstuffs in the district.

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

The purpose of the CORE health program
coordinated by IRSN is to help reduce healthhazards in the Chechersk district, which
was heavily contaminated by the Chernobyl
accident.
The program is divided into three parts:
conducting a medical and dosimetricassessment of children in the district, taking
action to improve the radiological quality offoodstuffs, and working with the population
on problems relevant to these issues.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

73

CHALLENGE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Develop protection against ionizing radiation in the healthcare sector

Protecting patients
IRSN’s assessment and research activities involving the protection of patients aim to help
medical staff improve practices while fostering a culture that encourages radiation protection.
These activities are based on two main principles: acting with justification and making
protection as effective as possible. They also aim to provide support to authorities regarding
the risks associated with medical practices that use ionizing radiation.

Radiopathology
Every year in France 180,000 patients aretreated by external radiotherapy. Radiotherapy can cause side effects in 10 to 15% ofcases when healthy tissue is present in theirradiated area.
Study on complications associatedwith radiotherapy
The IRSN’s partnership with the Institut Gustave Roussy
has provided an opportunity to explore the biologicalmechanisms that cause radiotherapy side effects and tosuggest new treatments for these complications.

In 2007 research focused on the importance of the role
played by the vascular system in one of these cases:
radiation enteritis. A study of the mechanisms involved
identified key molecules such as the growth factor (TGFβ),
which encourages healing, and the profibrosis factor(PAI-1), which increases as radiation-induced lesions become more severe. The role played by PAI-1 in radiation
damage is currently being studied.
Prevention and management of these complications would
require a combined therapeutic approach, where healthy
tissue is treated differently from tumorous tissue.

More details

Diagnostic reference levels: preliminary results
Since 2004 regulations on diagnostic reference
levels (DRLs) require that any establishment
using radiology or nuclear medicine must
submit information to IRSN on the dosesdelivered to 20 patients, for at least two typesof examination. These are chosen from a listof the most common examinations performed
using conventional radiology, scanners or
nuclear medicine, or those delivering
the highest doses. In 2007 the Instituteprepared a preliminary report on thisinformation for the period 2004 to 2006. It has
been submitted to the French Nuclear Safety
Authority and will serve to update current
regulations with regards to DRL values.
In radiology, where less than 10% of
the medical services concerned have submitted
their dosimetry information, the results areclose to the European DRLs currently usedas the reference. In nuclear medicine, where74

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007nearly 65% of the services concerned havesubmitted their data, analysis shows that
there is poor compliance with DRLs for
examinations using technetium-99, particularly
for thyroid scintigraphy, where 94% of
the services exceed the DRLs.

ORGANIZATION
Accidents in the healthcare sector
Following the overexposure accident at Jean Monnet
Hospital in Épinal in October 2006, the Minister of
Health asked the Institute for a second appraisal in March
2007 on abnormalities in conformational radiotherapy
practices for prostate cancer from 2001 to 2006 at thisestablishment. Approximately 400 patients were identified as having been systematically overexposed by 8%
and a 24 th victim of the first accident was reported. In

7
CHALLENGE

Several times throughout 2007 the Minister of
Health and the French Nuclear Safety Authority called on IRSN’s competence in radiopathology and the treatment of highly irradiatedtissues to conduct health assessments.

Elsewhere, following calibration errors of radiosurgery
equipment at Toulouse University Hospital that led tothe overexposure of 145 patients, in June the Institute
was asked to find the technical causes of the problem.
It also checked that the new calibration procedure hadcorrected the error that had caused the problem. In thereport submitted to the French Nuclear Safety Authority
in December, the Institute made a number of recommendations, such as carrying out statutory quality inspections
and introducing national intercomparisons. The expert
assessment will continue to evaluate the risk of neurological complications for each individual patient.

IRSN activites

Expertisein the medical field

September, IRSN was asked to “conduct an evaluation of
the possible clinical consequences for all patients treated from 1989 to 2000” in Épinal. For this evaluation,
the Institute worked closely with a group of experts
from the French Radiotherapy and Oncology Society,the French Society of Medical Physicists, and the InVS.
The risk of secondary complications for the patientswas assessed as a function of the level of overexposure
identified by IRSN.

Another assessment in the summer of 2007 concerned
the aftermath of an accident during an interventional
cardiology operation (using ionizing radiation) at a hospital in Lyon. IRSN was asked by the French Nuclear Safety
Authority to give the closest possible assessment of thedoses received by the patient. The Institute took several
approaches to this dosimetry reconstruction. It gave its
opinion on the coherence between the patient’s clinicalsymptoms and the doses actually received.
www.irsn.org – News 12/20/2007

ENSURING EFFICIENCYTreatment of radiation-induced lesions
by cell therapy
The complications linked to cancer treatments using radiotherapy can cause lesions in healthy tissues surrounding
the tumor, known as radiation-induced lesions. To treat
these lesions, IRSN proposes an innovative therapeuticstrategy that uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) frombone marrow. In 2007, as part of its experimental research,
the Institute demonstrated the benefits of using MCSs toregenerate epithelial tissue in the intestine after radiation. The Institute has consecrated significant research to
studying the mode of operation of these cells in order to
use them as effectively as possible in treating radiationinduced lesions.

report and outlook

Reconstruction of the irradiation dose after the Epinal accident.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

75

IRSN in 2007

Ensuring
efficiency

76

I

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

ORGANIZATION
Qualityreport and outlook

page 78

College of experts
page 79

Scientific and technical excellence
page 80

Human resources

IRSN ACTIVITIES

page 82

Communication
page 84

Safety and environment

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

page 87

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

77

Quality

Total quality management
The ISO 9001 certification audit of IRSN was carried out from May 25 th to July 4 th in 2007.
Obtaining certification marked the end of several years’ work and a commitment to acontinuous improvement approach.

Objectives
Implement
the quality policy by focusing on three main lines of improvement: customer satisfaction,
professionalism, and benefits to society.
For each type of activity led by the Institute, identify, quantify, and ensure follow-up of objectives
using the most appropriate indicators for each specific area.

The auditors from the certifying authority (LRQA) particularly appreciated the staff’s professionalism and motivation,
the Institute’s ability to communicate, and its commitment
to quality. They also took into consideration initiatives tobring IRSN’s Total Quality Management (TQM) system into
compliance with the ISO 9001 standard by setting targets,measuring indicators, introducing trend charts, etc.

The auditors issued 37 observations, and IRSN’s ability toaddress them will be reviewed during the half-year followup audits that will take place until the certification renewal
audit in the summer of 2010. All these observations had
already been reported during internal audits conductedby the Institute.

In the words of…
Unit

Field of activity

Aerosol Physics and Metrology
Laboratory

Measuring air contamination

Jean-Maurice Crozet,

Laboratory for the Experimental
Study of Containment,
Air Cleaning and Ventilation

Protection against radioactive
contamination

Deputy Director Generalof Lloyd’s Register Quality
Assurance*

Environmental Sample Processingand Metrology Department

Analysis of radioactivity
in samples from the environment
and foodstuffs, laboratoryintercomparisons

Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry
Laboratory

Calibration in the field of photon
radiation

Neutron Metrology andDosimetry Laboratory

Calibration in the field of
neutron radiation

Radiotoxicological Medical
Analysis Laboratory

Identification and dosage of
gamma- and x-ray-emitting
radionuclides in urine

Biological Dosimetry Laboratory

Biological dosimetry using
conventional cytogenetics

IRSN units with ISO 17025 accreditation (December 2007).

News brief

7

ISO 17025accredited
laboratories

IRSN has launched a new quality project
for the next three years. It will focus mainlyon improving how processes are managed
within the Institute and simplifying the TQM
system to make it more user-friendly.

(6 in 2006)

78

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

“In 2007 IRSN earned ISO 9001 certification
for the Institute and all its specializations.
This success crowns a long-term endeavor
supported by LRQA* as international certifying
authority. The merit behind this result is all themore outstanding knowing that IRSN is a focus
point for matters related to protecting the safetyof people and property, which are sensitive
issues in public opinion, in everyday life andin technology.
The fulfillment of a three-year effort, ISO 9001
certification constitutes a commitment to
the Institute’s partners and customers.
Certification is just the first step. While reaching
this level of quality has required effort, quality
must be maintained on a daily basis.
LRQA will be visiting at regular intervals tocheck that the Institute is upholding this levelof quality throughout its pursuits.”
www.lr.org(*) LRQA, a member of the Lloyd’s Register group, is the world leader
in auditing and certification of corporate management systems.

ORGANIZATION

College of experts

Preliminary reportof the College of experts

report and outlook

The College of experts set up in 2005 is gradually becoming established within the Institute,with its specific mode of organization as an alliance of equals.

Objective create a group of consultants within IRSN that is independent of management in order to encourage scientificToand technical discussions and debate on matters involving the Institute’s activities, and provide opinions andrecommendations.

or participated in various inter-disciplinary scientific events
organized by IRSN.

IRSN ACTIVITIES2007 was chosen as the year for experimenting two different
ways of running the College of experts.
In terms of individual contributions, the experts are involved in evaluation and consultancy processes within theInstitute, such as coordinating an evaluation of R&D on
fires, entrusted to a senior expert. Members of the College
have also been asked to participate in appraisals of theInstitute’s activities and to provide their opinions andrecommendations.
More collaborative efforts have also been organized to
draw on the strength of united skills. For example, 21
exploratory research projects were appraised and ranked,
with seven of them selected to receive funding (see text
on scientific excellence on p. 80). The College also initiatedCollege of experts seminar at Cadarache, November 15 and 16, 2007.

In the words of…

Jean-Christophe Sabrouxet Nathalie Michielsen,
members of the College of experts at IRSN

After its first year in existence, the IRSN
College of experts met in November 2007 toreview its achievements. While requests forsupport from individual experts have been
fulfilled, tasks to be addressed on a collective
basis need greater focus. For example, wehave proposed to participate in the evaluationof dissertation subjects or in the selectionof applicants for doctorate posts. We havealso started to look at the ethical and legal
aspects of consultancy work. Lastly, we will
be organizing a seminar on aerosols “fromsource to man”, a cross-disciplinary subject
that involves all the Institute’s operational
divisions.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY“The College consists of 24 IRSN experts
from research or assessment, appointed
by the Director General for four years. The
purpose is to apply our knowledge andexperience in a particular field to meet specificneeds both within and outside the Institute.
This innovation in career development is analternative to hierarchical promotions.

79

Scientific and technical excellence

Enhancing scientific andtechnical excellence

To sustain diversity in team skills over the long term and provide opportunities to build
knowledge, the Institute has implemented a specific policy dedicated to scientific and technicalexcellence since 2003.

Objective
To reach the highest possible scientific and technical level in all IRSN’s research and assessment activities, basedon three criteria:scientific and technical quality of teams and results;
relevance of the subjects covered;efficient organization of its scientific and technical activities (in methods, collaboration, etc.).

85

doctorate
students(79 in 2006)

31

post-doctorate
students(26 in 2006)

18

Continuation of the scientific andtechnical assessment process
Pilot assessments in the following areas were completed
in 2007:	the VERCORS research program (release of fission products
from fuel pellets in a severe accident situation);	the reorientation of the CHIP program (chemistry of
iodine in the reactor coolant system);	international collaborative programs with Eastern European countries (radioecology as part of the FrancoGerman initiative for Chernobyl, development of two
computer codes concerning safety);	the team from the Biological Dosimetry Laboratory;
	an assessment requested by the French Nuclear Safety
Authority on release to the environment in the event ofan earthquake affecting the ATALANTE facility.
A review conducted at the end of 2007 on actions taken
in response to recommendations by consultants reported
satisfactory results.

dissertations
defended

In mid 2007, the in-house committee on scientific andtechnical excellence chose eleven new assessment targets
in the following areas:	development of computer codes for safety or radiation
protection;	neutron metrology;
PhDs or persons
	research on fires;
qualified
to direct research 	research on the environment;(39 in 2006)	safety assessments.

(14 in 2006)

41

80

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Deployment of exploratory research
In implementation of the decision taken in 2006, the Institute set up an exploratory research program. Four research
projects exploring new avenues outside established programs
were launched during 2007. These projects will require a
feasibility study for the first two years, taking up a relatively
modest amount of resources.
Discussions have also begun on how to develop this system so it is more flexible and responsive. From now on the
cross-disciplinary and collaborative aspects of projects will
be given greater weight in the selection process.

News brief
The 2006 Scientific and Technical Report
was presented at the French National
Library (BNF) on June 20, 2007.
www.net-science.irsn.org
The number of visits to the Institute’s netscience-irsn.org website increased by 50%
between 2006 and 2007.
www.net-science.irsn.org
27 new theses were started in October 2007.
Three new people were qualified as research
directors.

ORGANIZATION
Training through researchTraining through research activity in 2007 focused on
two main areas: collecting and evaluating subjects andapplications for theses and post-doc posts, and organizing“Dissertation Days”. For each thesis application, external
and internal advisers evaluate the research topic and theapplicant’s scientific file, then the applicant goes before
an interview panel that includes experts from outside theInstitute.

publicationsin scientificjournals,with review
committees(119 in 2006)

350

conference
communications(350 in 2006)
Efficient teamwork between doctoral student and tutor.

IRSN ACTIVITIESEach year the “Dissertation Days” event brings together theInstitute’s doctorate students to present their research at aresident seminar. In 2007 the event was attended by about
160 people from IRSN as well as outside organizations(academics, industrial partners, etc.). 66 doctorate students
in the second or third year of their thesis presented thestate of progress of their research.

123

report and outlook

Dissertation Days at Aussois (Savoy, October 2007).

In the words of…

Michel Quintard,
President of the IRSN Scientific Council

We undertook two assessments in 2007, andour conclusions will be published in 2008.
The first concerns research on radiopathology
and therapy of irradiated people, where
we have been asked to issue an opinion on
the coherence and quality of work achieved.

The second assessment concerns the roleof general tests in the simulation of reactor
accidents, particularly those conducted using
the Phebus and Cabri reactors.
We are also involved in various scientificevaluation activities, such as committees thataward scholarships or the Dissertation Days
event.
Although this responsibility represents an
extra workload, most of us believe that peer
evaluation is part of our role as a researcheror teacher.”

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

ENSURING EFFICIENCY“The IRSN Scientific Council was createdto give opinions on scientific subjects at
the request of the Institute or its supervising
ministries. It looks at IRSN’s research activity
from the outside.

81

Human resources

Human resources
serving the InstituteThe human resources policy pursued by the Institute since its beginning led to the expansion
in 2007 of support for staff and managers through the enhancement of resources and tools
allocated to managing jobs, developing skills and management.

Objectives
To anticipate the skills required at IRSN and meet these needs in a context of strong competition due to revivalof the nuclear industry.
To encourage the development of individual competence and pool skills to promote collective action.
To ensure constructive relations between management and personnel.

Collective agreements signed
2007 was an active year for collective negotiations, withfour major agreements being signed.

72%

engineers,

researchers andmanagerial staff(71% in 2006)

The first was on gender equality in the workplace; thesecond paved the way for a collective pension scheme; thethird made it possible to receive payment for days in theovertime savings scheme in the form of various savings
plans. The last one involved forecasting jobs and skills
and the management of personnel nearing retirement, forwhom a series of measures are planned that will ensure
better management of their career opportunities and willdevelop the sharing and transfer of their skills.

Distribution of men/women
45%

55%
Women

Men

28%

technicians
technical
support andadministrative
staff(29% in 2006)

Management charterIn the field of employee management, following the introduction of a complete training curriculum for all supervisory staff, a charter was written in cooperation withrepresentatives from different management levels to formalize the Institute’s expectations and support managers
in their role.

Distribution of Management
Non-management staff
28%

89

employees

recruitedon permanentcontracts(76 in 2006)

82

Strengthening the Consultancy Circle
The Consultancy Circle set up in 2005 conducted its second
campaign to recruit consultants and senior advisors in
2007. The consultant selection committee was expanded

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

72%
Non-management

Management

Distribution of men/womenby age bracket:
2%Over 60

0%22%51 to 60

16%
27%

41 to 5025%
17%

36 to 40

18%
16%

31 to 35

20%

By pooling essential skills in IRSN’s various areas of activity,from both consultants and management, this strategy is
expected to establish the Institute’s authority on new andcomplex issues requiring a cross-disciplinary approach.

report and outlook

Development of the Consultancy Circle represents a major challenge not only for the Institute, but also for the
consultants themselves, both individually and as a group.
Management’s involvement in realizing this objective is an
irrefutable key to success.

15%

25 to 30

18%
2%

Under 25

3%
0

25

Men

50

100

Women

IRSN personnel contracted out
or seconded (as of December 12, 2007)
SFRP

1
1

SGDN

1

Cogema1
2

Works committee
Inserm2

News brief

1

CCE

2

Professional training courses involved
52,773 hours of training given to2,926 trainees. About forty courses wererequested under the Individual
Right to Training scheme, in applicationof the agreement signed last year.

4

CEA

1

Ministries

3

7

AIEA

1

ASN

56
17
73
5

e1,302 M
spent on training(€1,364 M
in 2006)

Riskaudit

7

0

IRSN ACTIVITIESTo provide employees with diversified choices in career
opportunities, the Institute participated in the definitionof a charter for mobility between public industrial andcommercial establishments (EPICs) in France, which wassigned last fall. These organizations include IFP, Cnes, Ineris
and BRGM, for example.

10

Seconded

50

52,773hours in training(45,947 in 2006)

Total
100

Contracted out

2,926

participants intraining courses(2,922 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

83

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Expanding competence
Every year IRSN accepts over 120 university students on
internships. It has redefined its recruitment procedure in
response to the needs of operational units, aiming to attract
students from eminent engineering schools. Internshipremuneration is now at the same level as offerings bycomparable institutes, and the student population baseconsidered by the Institute has been expanded.

ORGANIZATION

on this occasion to include two figures from outside theInstitute, the radiation protection manager from the research department at the Institut Curie, and a professorof nuclear engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute ofTechnology. The committee selected 24 new consultants
including 9 senior consultants.

Communication

Recognizing and preventing

nuclear risks

To fulfill its mission as information provider on nuclear risks and radiation protection, IRSN
endeavored to formalize all its operating procedures throughout the year 2006. Audited in
2007, these procedures have now received ISO 9001 certification. The year was also marked
by concentrated efforts to keep public opinion informed on safety issues, with special focus
on radiotherapy accidents.

Public relations objectives
Educate the public on nuclear and radiological risks through widespread publication of the Institute’s knowledge

and appraisal results.
Promote IRSN as the public expert that sets the standard in nuclear safety and the protection of human healthand the environment.
Keep an open dialogue with the public to ensure transparency, and respond to any questions.
“Nuclear Energy
and Society:from Knowledge
to Control”
traveling exhibition

4,400
visitors(4,500 in 2006)

2

towns visited(2 in 2006)8

conferences

organized(5 in 2006)

1,000

requests for
information

processed via
the contact box“contact@irsn.fr”(761 in 2006)

84

Throughout 2007 IRSN aimed to keep the public informedon the work and conclusions of its consultants, called on
to answer various questions on nuclear safety and radio­
logical risks.
Radiotherapy accidents
The discovery of overexposed patients who had received
radiotherapy treatment at the Jean Monnet hospital in
Epinal led the Minister of Health to call on IRSN to conduct
several appraisals involving the patients’ state of health,dosimetry assessment, and risk assessment. The appraisals,
which sought to improve the subsequent healthcare admi­
nistered to the patients, calm their troubles, and reinforce
safety in radiotherapy treatments in general, were covered
in several reports, with conclusions made public on the IRSN
website. www.irsn.org – News 12/10/2007
The Institute’s work received vast media coverage, withover 146 articles published in regional, national, and inter­national newspapers.

Online guide to diagnosing irradiation
accidents
IRSN took the initiative of publishing a practical guide to
diagnosing an irradiation accident induced by industrial

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

radioactive sources, made available to doctors on its web­site. The purpose is to provide more efficient healthcare
to victims of these accidents, which are often difficult
to diagnose since they are rare, and may entail serious
consequences.

IRSN research programs presented
to the public
The publication of its 2006 Scientific and Technical Reportgave IRSN the opportunity to organize a public presentationof its three most important research and development pro­grams: new methodological approaches and risk assessment
tools for ecosystems; dosimetry R&D; and the preliminary
results of experiments conducted within the Phebus Fission
Product program.

Transparency and nuclear safety
The IRSN website, www.irsn.org, which continued to
draw a growing number of visitors in 2007, is an essential
channel for broadcasting the Institute’s scientific informa­tion. Information for the public, including reports on public
service missions, such as the annual report on environmental
radioactivity monitoring in France (published on December
19, 2007, based on 2006 data), is systematically posted

ORGANIZATION
on the website. To enhance availability of environmental
monitoring data, IRSN plans to expand its Internet portal
on environmental radioactivity in 2008.

Radioactivity gets exposure
Several IRSN experts contributed their knowledge on radioactivity and radiation protection to a scientific project
conducted in cooperation with the Metropolitan Community of the Montbéliard Region, producing an original
exhibition entitled “Did You Say Radiation Protection? The
Story on X-rays, Radioactivity, and More”. On display from
October 15, 2007 to April 27, 2008 at the Montbéliard
Science Pavilion, this exhibition combined the scientist’sview with the free interpretation of several artists, inviting
the public to discover a singular vision of the complex historyof radioactivity, from Marie Curie to the present. Reconcilingart and science, the exhibition placed considerable historicaland scientific information within public reach, available in
the illustrated exhibition catalogue.

A press trip to Lithuania gave French reporters the opportunity to learn about specific design features of an RBMK
reactor, which have been modified since the Chernobyl
accident, with the support of EU funding. Accompanied by
an IRSN consultant, reporters were able to appreciate theInstitute’s role as an expert in nuclear safety.
From May 22 to 24, 2007, IRSN organized the 29 Annual
Conference of the European Safeguards Research and Development Association (Esarda) in Aix-en-Provence. The
conference brought together 300 consultants specialized
in nuclear non-proliferation from the IAEA, the European
Commission, and 30 different countries. IRSN illustrated its
know-how in eight presentations and an exhibit displaying
portable equipment used during facility inspections tomeasure the amount of plutonium contained in waste
drums. From April 23 to 27, IRSN also organized a conference on the theme “Nuclear Safety and the Role of TSOs”,
in partnership with the IAEA.
th

In parallel, the IRSN & ASN traveling exhibition entitled“Nuclear Energy and Society: from Knowledge to Control”
continued its tour of France, setting up in Fontainebleau,then in Tours. Two modules, Radioactivity and Human
Health and Human-induced Radioactivity and the Environment have been renovated, and the exhibition website,www.irsn.org/expo, also has a new look.

visits to

the IRSN
website(1,400,000
in 2006)

675,000
visitsto the scientificwebsite(438,000 in 2006)

4,000

information
booklets

distributed(4,700 in 2006)

3,500

copies of theAnnual Report

distributed(5,500 in 2006)

ENSURING EFFICIENCYInternational coverage
The future of energy within the European Union, andconfrontation with major changes, including the recent
entry of new countries such as Bulgaria and Romania,
who operate Soviet-designed reactors, were in the news in
2007. IRSN invited its experts and the press to a conference
marking the 50th anniversary of the Euratom treaty, andreported on its implications for the Institute.

2,000,000

report and outlook

The traveling exhibition in Tours (Indre-et-Loire).

IRSN ACTIVITIESThe Medec : an exhibition highly appreciated by professionals.

Information for professionals
IRSN participated in professional trade fairs in France, witha particular focus on the medical field during the Medecexhibition or the radiology event Journées françaises deradiologie.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

85

Communication

In-house communication objectives

3

participationsin professional
trade fairs or
public events(3 in 2006)

200

press requests

processed(230 in 2006)

730

mentionsin the press(600 in 2006)

Unite the rich variety of professions and skills at the Institute in a shared identity and culture.
L isten more, exchange better.

In-house communication in 2007 was marked by three
events.
An in-house opinion barometer sees the day
To adapt in-house communication policy and instruments
to employee needs and expectations, IRSN has set up an
in-house opinion barometer to survey employee views on
subjects such as working conditions, professional training,careers, management, communication, and the Institute’s
mission and identity.
Results of the first poll revealed personnel satisfaction on
several points, including working conditions, work environment, and discipline-specific training. Employees consider
there is room for improvement with regards to information
provided by management, development of a “corporate
culture”, and career management.

The IRSN communication audit
In 2007 IRSN’s communication procedures were audited forISO 9001 certification purposes. The audit report concludes
that IRSN is considered as a reference in terms of communication in its fields of specialization.

86

Emergency Response Center celebrates
its 25th year
In 2007 IRSN’s Emergency Response Center celebrated
25 years of service. This center is the core of the crisis
management system created by the Institute to provide
technical support to public authorities and distribute healthand medical care to protect the population, workers andthe environment in a radiological emergency.

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Board members visit the Emergency Response Center.

ORGANIZATION

Safety and environment

Health, safety, and environmental

protection

report and outlook

IRSN reinforced its policy on safety and environmental protection in 2007 by allocating new
tools and human resources to this purpose.

ObjectiveTo ensure that anyone employed at an IRSN location, either by the Institute, a subcontractor, or a temporary

employment agency, is able to work under safe conditions that preserve human health.

Radiation protection specialists
at work
In 2006 radiation protection specialists were recruited at the
Fontenay-aux-Roses site (Hauts-de-Seine) and at Cadarache(Bouches-du-Rhône), in compliance with regulations. The
work they accomplished in 2007 resulted in the revision of
40% of the workstation radiological risk assessments and
30% of radiological zoning within the facilities.
In parallel, roughly one-fourth of the radiation protection
inspection programs (to be conducted by in-house inspectors or outside certified organizations) have been defined.
Action initiated in 2007 will continue in 2008.

IRSN ACTIVITIESNew responsibilities in safety andthe environment
Since December 30, 2006, the building referred to as the“Annex” at the CEA site in Fontenay-aux-Roses, which has
accommodated part of the Institute since its foundation,
has been allocated strictly to IRSN . This implies that theInstitute must now take over responsibilities previously assumed by the CEA in terms of building infrastructures, health,safety, site protection, and the preservation of scientific andtechnical assets.
These new responsibilities also include release of gas andliquid effluents from the site, administrative procedures
relevant to the operation of facilities classified for environmental protection, the road system, and the organization of
emergency response in the case of an accident.
In parallel, IRSN continues to assume responsibility in theseareas for its other sites, under the same conditions as at
Fontenay-aux-Roses, or in addition to those assumed by thehost institution. It is therefore important to ensure that allthese actions are led according to a coherent plan. In thiscontext, as of 2008 the Institute intends to create synergy
between the “site safety”, “building”, and “work safety” aspects, for efficient management of these situations, by uniting
the various units in charge of these matters under a single
functional division, the Safety and Assets Division.

(*) Through an order dated November 29, 2006, published in
the Journal Officiel dated December 29, 2006.

10

facilities
classified forenvironmental
protection incompliance with
the Environment
Code(26 in 2006)

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

87

ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Keeping a watch on health, safety,
and environment regulations
Initiated in 2007, this tool is based on the list of regulatory texts applicable to IRSN facilities and activities. It
serves to periodically check the Institute’s compliancewith regulations.
The periodic update of this list, required to comply with ISO
9001, ISO 14001, and OSHAS 18001, has been assigned
to specialized legal consultants who provide continuous
support to IRSN in this effort.
The first assessment conducted using this instrument at
most Institute locations provided the operators with enhanced knowledge of their facilities, pointing out the need forsome improvements to ensure compliance with standards
on fire hazards and electrical hazards. The verification also
indicated certain areas where technical documentation,
drawings, and the life-cycle files for a few of the older
facilities required updating or amending.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZGlossaryA
ADEME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agence de l’environnement et de la maîtrise de l’énergie(French agency for the environment and energy control).
AECL .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.
AFSSA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des aliments (French
agency for the safe consumption of foods).
AFSSAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé(French agency for the safe use of health products).
AFSSET .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l’environnement
et du travail (French agency for health protection in
the environment and workplace).
Alpha radiation (symbolized as “α”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A highly ionizing form of particle radiation with low
penetration consisting of helium-4 nuclei. A simple sheetof paper can prevent its propagation.

BNRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Borax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Boiling Water Reactor Experiment.
BRGM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bureau de Recherche Géologique et Minière (French
institution for research in Earth sciences).

C
CABRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Test reactor used by IRSN (CEA) to study nuclear
fuel safety.
CABRI-CIP .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CABRI International Program featuring a pressurizedwater loop.

AMANDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accelerator for dosimetry metrology and neutron
applications (Cadarache).

Calixarene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cyclic chemical compound used to trap radioactive
elements (such as actinides).

ANDRA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs(French national radioactive waste management agency).

CANDU .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian deuterium-uranium reactor.

ASTEC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accident Source Term Evaluation Code.

Cesium (Cs, atomic number 55) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toxic rare metal with characteristics comparable
to those of potassium.

ATALANTE .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alpha radiation unit and analysis laboratory for the studyof transuranians and reprocessing, a CEA R&D facility
used to study reprocessing and waste.

CHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Program to study the chemistry of gaseous phase iodine
in a PWR reactor coolant system in a core meltdown
accident situation.

AVN.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Association Vinçotte nucléaire (Vinçotte nuclear
association) (Belgium).

Containment or reactor building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sealed concrete structure containing the reactor vessel,
reactor coolant system, steam generators and safetyrelated auxiliaries for a pressurized water reactor.

B
Becquerel (Bq) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Official international unit of measure used forradioactivity. The becquerel is equal to one
transformation per second.

88

Beta radiation (symbolized as “β”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiation consisting of electrons with a positive or
negative charge. Propagation can be stopped by leaving
a separation of a few meters or using a simple sheetof aluminum foil.

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Corium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agglomeration of fuel and structural elements froma nuclear reactor core, melted and mixed together
following a severe accident.
COWAM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Community Waste Management program funded by
the European Community.

CRIIRAD .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commission de Recherche et d’Information Indépendante
sur la Radioactivité (independent commission for researchand information on radioactivity operating in France).
Criticality risks .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risks associated with uncontrolled fission phenomena infissile materials.
Cytogenetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Biological technique used to study chromosome
anomalies in cells.

D
Diva .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility used to study fires, ventilation, and airborne
contamination.
DOE .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Department of Energy (USA).
Dosimetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Determining the dose of radiation (radioactivity)
absorbed by a substance or an individual throughassessment or measuring.

E
ECCOREV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A joint research project on continental ecosystems andenvironmental risks conducted by several organizationsin the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in France.
ENSRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Nuclear Security Regulators’ Association.

masses and associated pollutants within a coastal
system.

F
FP7 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seventh Framework Programme for research andtechnological development (European Union).
Fuel assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bundle of fuel rods assembled in a metal structure,used in nuclear reactors.
Fzk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (German center of studies
in Karlsruhe).

G
Gamma radiation (symbolized as “γ”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electromagnetic radiation with high penetration
but low ionization, emitted during the transformationof radionuclides. Protection is provided by concreteor lead screens.
GRS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit(German technical safety organization).
GWd/t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel burnup unit. Gigawatt-hours per metric ton of fuel.
Commonly used unit of measure giving the level ofirradiation of fuel assemblies, expressed as energy
output by the assembly in the reactor per ton of
the initial uranium.

ENVIRHOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research program that studies the processes involved
in radionuclide accumulation and the biological effects
induced by this accumulation in flora, fauna and humans
in a chronic exposure situation.

IAEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International Atomic Energy Agency.

EPR .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Pressurised water Reactor.

ICRP .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International Commission on Radiation Protection.

ERMSAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Review Meeting on Severe Accident Research.

INB .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic nuclear facility.

ESARDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Safeguards Research and Development
Association.

INERIS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institut national de l’environnement industriel etdes risques (French national institute for the studyof industrial environments and risks).

ETSON .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Technical Safety Organisations Network.

I

Euratom .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Atomic Energy Community.

INRETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institut national de recherche sur les transports etleur sécurité (French national institute for researchon transport and transport safety).

EXTREMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research program dedicated to the study of weather andclimatic events, and the redistribution of sedimentary

INRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institut national de recherche et de sécurité(French national institute for research on safety).

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

89

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZInVS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institut national de veille sanitaire (French national
institute for health surveillance).

MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cells taken from bone marrow that can multiply
and differentiate into a variety of cell types.

IPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First scheduled downtime for maintenance and repairs.

mSv (millisievert) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit of equivalent dose used in the international system.

ISIS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Computer code that simulates in detail how fire, gas,smoke, and structures evolve in an enclosed, ventilated
space in any type of geometrical configuration.

MWe .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Megawatt electric.

Isotopes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Elements whose atoms have the same number ofelectrons and protons, but a different number ofneutrons. Designated by the same name, they display
the same chemical properties. There are currently 325
known natural isotopes and 1,200 artificial isotopes.
ITER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

K
kV .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
kiloVolt.

L
LRQA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd., a certification
organization.

M
M5® .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type of fuel cladding used in pressurized water reactors,
with alloy developed by AREVA.
MASURCA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Model of a fast breeder reactor, used for research (CEA).
MC3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A multi-component, three-dimensional software
application used to compute the interaction between
corium and water or vapor explosion.
mGy (milligray) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unit of radiation absorbed dose used in the international
system.
MIMAUSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Program on the heritage and impact of obsolete uranium
mines in France, created for analysis and archival
purposes.
MOX .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel made from (natural or depleted) uranium andplutonium oxide.

90

I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

N
NEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD).
NNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
National Nuclear Regulator (South Africa).
NNSA- NSC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
National Nuclear Safety Administration – Nuclear Safety
Center (China).
NPP .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nuclear power plant.
NRC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USA).
Nuclear fuel .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fissionable material (capable of undergoing fission)used in a reactor to develop a nuclear chain reaction.
Nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in and permanently
removed from a reactor core is referred to as“spent fuel”.

O
OECD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development.
OPCW .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
OSPAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Oslo-Paris) Commission for the Protection of
the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic.

P
PCR .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiation protection specialists.
PHEBUS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Experimental reactor.
PRIME .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fire propagation in elementary multiple-enclosure
scenarios.

PRISME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fire propagation in elementary multilocal scenarios.
Prophylaxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Method of disease prevention.
PSI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen (Switzerland).
PUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal emergency plan.

R
Radioelement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Natural or artificial radioactive element.
Radiation protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Any action taken to protect the population and workers
using ionizing radiation sources.
Radionuclide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radioactive isotope of an element.
RFS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic safety rule.

S
SARNET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Severe Accident Research NETwork of excellence,a European research project to study core meltdown
accidents on water reactors.
SIMMER .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Multiphase, multicomponent thermohydraulic software
coupled with a space-dependent neutron model.
SKI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statens Kärnkraftinspektion, Swedish nuclear safety
authority.
SSI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
StatensSträlskyddsinstitut, Swedish radiation protection
authority.

TOSQAN .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IRSN experimental program to validate models onreactor containment water vapor condensation in asevere accident situation.
TSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technical Safety Organisation.

U
UNSCEAR .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effectsof Atomic Radiation.

V
VTT .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technical research center in Finland.
VVER or WWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vodo Vodianoï Energetitcheskyi Reactor or Water ­– Water
Energetic Reactor. Russian-design reactors that operate
along the same principle as Western pressurized water
reactors.

Z
Zircaloy-4 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First-generation alloy.
Zirlo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alloy developed by Westinghouse.

For more information, consult the glossary at
www.irsn.org

STARMANIA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Station for airborne contamination transfers andmechanical strength applied to incidental and accidental
pollution.
SYMBIOSE .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Systemic Approach for Modelling the Fate of Chemicals
in Biosphere and Ecosystems.

T
TACIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technical Assistance for Commonwealth of Independent
States (European program).

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

91

Editorial Coordination
Strategy, Development and External Relations Division
Steering Committee
President : Michel Bouvet
Michel Baudry
Patrice DESCHAMPSEmmanuelle Mur
François ROLLINGER

Édouard SCOTT de MARTINVILLE
Yves Souchet
Sylvie Supervil

Editorial Committee
Supervision : Emmanuelle MUR & Sylvie SUPERVIL
Jocelyne Aigueperse		
Agnès DUMAS
Françoise BRETHEAU		
Dominique FRANQUARD
Stéphanie CLAVELLE		
Anne-Marie GIRARDIN
Patrick COUSINOU		
Bernard GOUDALJean COUTURIER		
Jean JALOUNEIX
Aleth DELATTRE		
Pascale MONTI
Didier DEMEILLERS
Written by
IRSN, with support from Camille Jaunet (La Clé des mots) and Jean-Christophe Hedouin (HIME)
Production Coordination
Communication Division - Marie-Line de Heaulme (CPRP)
Graphic Design and Production

Translation
Provence Traduction
Printing
Idéale Prod
Photo credits
Cover: Olivier Seignette/Mickael Lafontan – Xavier Bellanger
Xavier Bellanger: pages 13 - 20 - 22 - 24 - 26 - 40 - 42 - 43 - 64 - 70 - 71 - 79 - 81
CEA: pages 46 - 49 CERN page 35 EDF Médiathèque/Ph. Eranian: page 32
Gettyimages/Muriel de Seze – Gettyimages/Amana productions inc: pages 16 - 30
Graphix Images: page 51 ILL/J.L. Baudet : page 40 IRSN: pages 38 - 43 - 47 - 52 - 54 - 56 - 59 65 - 67 - 69 - 73 - 75 - 79 - 81 Iter: page 49 Stéphane Jungers: pages 33 - 34 - 37 - 39 - 58
Marine Nationale/Nathalie Nocart: page 45 Laurent Mignaux-Medad: page 19
Olivier Seignette/Mickael Lafontan: pages 4 - 9 - 18 - 21 - 23 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 29 - 35 - 39 - 44 50 - 54 - 57 - 58 - 61 - 63 - 65 - 66 - 85 - 86 Laurent Stéfano: pages 23 - 53 - 72
This Annual Report is printed on 100% recyclable and biodegradable chlorine-free,coated paper using vegetable-based ink.
© IRSN Communication
ISSN No.: 1762-0600

Sites coordinates
Maps for accessing IRSN sites
are available on our Internet site www.irsn.org
IRSN Head Office
Fontenay-aux-Roses
31, avenue de la Division-Leclerc
B. P. 17 – 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88
Agen
BP 27
47002 Agen
Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 48 01 60
Cadarache
BP 313115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)4 42 25 70 00
Cherbourg-Octeville
Rue Max-Paul Fouchet
BP 1050130 Cherbourg-OctevilleTel.: +33 (0)2 33 01 41 00
La Seyne-sur-Mer
Centre Ifremer de Méditerranée
BP 33083507 La Seyne-sur-Mer Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)4 94 30 48 29
Le Vésinet
31, rue de l’Écluse
BP 40035
78116 Le Vésinet Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)1 30 15 52 00
Les Angles – Avignon
550, rue de la Tramontane – Les Angles
BP 70295
30402 Villeneuve-lez-Avignon Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)4 90 26 11 00
Mahina – Tahiti
S. P. 91524
00229 ArméesTel.: +689 54 00 25
Orsay
Bois-des-Rames (bât. 501)
91400 Orsay
Tel.: +33 (0)1 69 85 58 40
PierrelatteBP 16626702 Pierrelatte Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)4 75 50 40 00
SaclayCentre CEA de Saclay
91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)1 69 08 60 00

IRSN certified quality
management system

Head Office31, avenue de la Division Leclerc
92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses
RCS Nanterre B 440 546 018
Telephone+33 (0)1 58 35 88 88
Correspondence
BP 1792262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex
IRSN website
www.irsn.org

Fi n a n c i a l Re p o r t

2007

Didier DEMEILLERS,Finance Director

Contents­
3 Management report
8 Balance Sheet
10 Income Statement
11 Income Statement Subtotals
12 Budget vs. Actual

F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

Management report
1 GENERAL OUTLOOK
Certain events that took place in 2007 will have

Budget execution in 2007 included a vast investment

important consequences on Institute operation.

program totaling €53.0 million after incorporation

	I n July IRSN received ISO 9001 certification forof operations carried over from the previous year,

all its fields of specialization. This recognition ofincluding the following:

excellence in IRSN team practices rewards the conti-	finalization of the head-office transfer from Clamart

nuous efforts deployed since the foundation of theto Fontenay-aux-Roses;

Institute.

	continuation of the technological change program	At the end of August the head office was transfer-for worker dosimetry monitoring;

red from Clamart to Fontenay-aux-Roses, uniting	continued, gradual building of a fund allocated toover 1,000 staff members at a single location andfinancing future costs for dismantling and remedia-

promoting greater operating efficiency among thetion, estimated at €31.0 million.

different operational and functional divisions.
	At the Atomic Energy Committee meeting held on

All of these investments were not completed during

November 22, presided by the ministries of Eco-the fiscal year, and €19.6 million for operations in pro-logy and Research, the decision to shut down the

gress were carried over to 2008.

Phebus experimental reactor was confirmed. The
Committee also proposed to create a committee

The accounts closed in 2007 incorporated a significant

to guide research orientations in nuclear safety andchange in the Institute’s management of value-added

radiological protection.

tax, since activities were divided into sectors that were
either subject to VAT, not subject to VAT, or a combina-

The initial 2007 budget was amended by two modi-

tion of both. This modification resulted in:fication decisions presented to the Board of Directors

	a request for reimbursement of €12.0 million, issued

in March and June 2007 to take into account:in January 2008, for VAT declared during 2007; and	investment projects in progress carried over from	a request for reimbursement of €29.0 million, issued

2006, representing €15.2 million, paid into working

in October 2007, for VAT paid in 2005 and 2006,

capital when accounts were closed in 2006. This

which generated extraordinary income in the 2007

carry-over was almost completely wound up duringincome statement.

the fiscal year, except for multiyear projects suchas the new technology for dosimetry monitoring;	the Ministry of Ecology (Medad) grant was divided

Budget balance

up into an investment grant of €28.1 million and an
operational grant for the remaining €201.1 million,

Execution2005 (1)2006 (2) 2007 (1) Change from(in M)				 2006 to 2007

minus the precautionary reserve. This change in

Total resources

287.6

306.9

298.4

–­2.8%

method complies with the accounting principles

Total expenditure

268.1

301.7

265,8

–11.9 %

applicable to the grant for public service charges

Balance

+19.5

+5.2

+32.6

+526.9%defined in the circular on operator budget prepa-(1) Results
for 2007 incorporate VAT, increasing resources by

ration.

€9.0 million and decreasing expenditure by €12.0 million, fora total impact on the balance of €21.0 million.
(2) Results for 2006 incorporate €31.0 million in dismantling

expenditure balanced by a provision for the same amountin revenue.

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

3

Like previous years, budget execution in 2007 shows a

In spite of the relative change in VAT which interferes

budget balance that appears overestimated due to thein the budget comparison, the year 2007 shows theinvestment carry-over of €19.0 million, in addition tofollowing characteristics:

the impact of the change in the VAT system in 2007,	results match the balance figures given in the pro-for €21.0 million. Recalculating to take into accountjected revenue and expenditure statement approvedby the Board of Directors;

these operations gives the following results:	a budget execution rate of 93.1% (compared to
Recalculated execution (in M)

2006

2007

Balance

+5.2

+32.6

2005 carry-over+12.2

2006 carry-over–15.2

94.3% in 2006), without the VAT effect, i.e. a
difference of €21 million, of which €19.6 million+15.2

corresponds to an offset in the execution of cer-

–19.6

tain investments. Not including these offsets, theVAT 2007		

–21.0

expenditure execution rate would be 99.5%.

Net balance+7.2

2007 carry-over+2.2

2 INCOME STATEMENT
2.1. Revenue	€ 0.8 million from other grants, including local
Execution
2005
2006
2007 Change from(in M)				 2006 to 2007

government authorities, as compared with

Sales

36.1

35.1

31.8

–9.4%

€ 0.3 million in 2006;

Grants

240.2

233.4

190.6

–18.3%

	€10 million representing a portion of the reve-

2.2

3.3

22.7

+587,8%Operations sub-total

278.5

271.8

245.1

–9.8%

Investment income

1.2

1.6

4

+150%

Other operating
revenue

Extraordinary
income
Total

4.2

2

33.4

+1,570%

283.9

275.3

282.5

+2.6%

nue from the tax on basic nuclear installations.
This measure, initially voted in the 2005 amendment to the appropriations law for the amount of€4.0 million for the year 2006, was renewed for2007 and increased by € 6.0 million;	€31.8 million of own revenue generated by consultancy services provided by the Institute, co-funding

Operating revenue dropped by €26.7 million in com-of research programs, or other services, down by

parison with 2006 (-9.8%) to €245.1 million, with:€ 3.5 million in comparison to 2006, due mainly	€176.5 million from the grant for public service

to postponement in the execution of services incharges paid by the Ministry of Ecology. The total

this sector, and the unfavorable trend in exchange

allowance allocated as part of Program 189 amounts

parity between the euro and the dollar;

to €207.5 million, given the €20.0 million reduction	€ 22.7 million of other revenue, as compared tofor the change in the VAT system. The difference€3.3 million in 2006. This amount includes fees paidof €31.0 million is accounted for as a capital grant,

for industrial property (€ 0.1 million, steady), otheras requested by the supervising ministries (seeoperating income (€4.04 million, rising) provided byabove);

adjustments made in previous years, write-backs on	€3.3 million from the agreement signed with thedepreciation and provisions (€18.6 million, a steep

Ministry of Defense (Mindef) as part of Programrise) corresponding to the cost of early retirement

212, up by € 0.4 million;

expenses (Capron agreement) and adjustments

4 I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

in the Institute’s fiscal situation with regards tobusiness tax.

a structural effect due to personnel transfers, amplified by job market tension in the nuclear sector.
	Taxes rose by €2.3 million (to €13.4 million) due

Investment income, which rose to €4.0 million, wasto the wage and salary tax adjustment, real estate

up from 2006 (+€2.4 million) due to early payment

tax, and business tax.

of 80% of the Ministry of Ecology grant.

	T he depreciation allowance rose by 7.8% (to €16.5
million), while provisions, allocated to fiscal use in

Ex traordinar y income saw a steep rise to

the last few years, have practically disappeared.

€ 33.4 million, against € 2.0 million in 2006. This	Purchases of goods and services dropped signifi-

consists mainly of capital grants recorded in thecantly (- €18.3 million, or 14.6%) to €107.2 million.

income statement (€2.4 million) and an exceptional

This reduction is explained mainly by the decreaseinternal transaction (€30.8 million) for the 2005 andin non-recoverable VAT.

2006 VAT adjustment. This rise in revenue should be	O ther expenses represent €1.6 million, as opposedconsidered keeping in mind the €20.0 million cutback

to €1.0 million in 2006.

in the Ministry of Ecology grant.

2.2. Expenditure

Execution
2005
2006
2007 Change from(in M)				 2006 to 2007

Execution
2005
2006
2007 Change from(in M)				 2006 to 2007
Purchases

128.7

125.5

107.2

Personnel–14.6%

60 - Purchases

69.1

68

55

–19.1%

61 - Outsideservices

41.1

39.3

36.9

–6.1%

103.6

109.6

111.9

+2.1%

62 - Other outsideservices

Taxes

3.3

11.1

13.4

+20.7%

Total

Depreciation

13.4

15.3

16.5

+7.8%

Provisions

8.3

7

0.3

–95.7%

Others

2.1

1

1.6

+60%

Operations sub-total 262.9

269.5

250.9

–6.9%

Financial charges

0.1

0.3

0.4

+33.3%

Extraordinary
charges

0.4

0.6

0.3

+50%

263.4

270.5

251.6

–7%

Total

18.4

18.2

15.3

–15.9%

128.7

125.5

107.2

–14.6%

This table breaks down the year’s outside expenses, which amount to €107.2 million. It shows thefollowing:	T here is a considerable reduction in items 60-Purchases and 62-Other outside services, resulting
partly from the decrease in non-recoverable VAT.
	A less-significant reduction appears for item

Operating expenses for the year amount to €250.9

61-Outside services, due to the larger proportion

million (down by €18.6 million, or 6.9%). This varia-

of activities that do not benefit from the reduced

tion is close to that of revenue, and is concentrated

VAT rate in operations itemized here.

mainly in purchasing, proportional to the change in	Financial charges increased from € 0.1 million to

VAT rules.

€ 0.4 million due to loans (€7.2 million + €4.8 million + €5.6 million) to finance the new head officeThis account can be broken down as follows:

location and the new dosimetry technology.

	Personnel expenses rose by 2.1% (€111.9 million).

	E xtraordinar y charges dropped from € 0.6 toThis variation is partially due to a moderate rise

€ 0.3 million, corresponding to € 0.1 million inin salaries, occasional expenses due to personnel

contributions and € 0.2 million in penalties.

taking retirement, compensated by a write-backon provisions for the same amount (see above) and

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

5

3 INCOME AND FINANCING
Execution
2005
2006
2007 Change from(in M)				 2006 to 2007
Income

20.4

4.9

31

+532.6%

Cash provided
by operations

37.8

22.4

26.7

+19.2%

Variation
in working capital

19.5

5.2

32.6

+526.9%In addition to the €26.7 million in cash provided byoperations, income also includes:	o utside resources ( € 5.9 million), including a€5.6-million loan to finance deployment of the
new dosimetry technology,	the portion of the grant for public service charges

The net balance for the year shows a positive income

paid by the Ministry of Ecology, accounted for asof €31.0 million, as compared to €4.9 million in 2006.

a capital grant.

The difference between the most recently revised
budget forecast, i.e. – € 9.8 million, and income on

This revenue financed investments and long-term

closing as of December 31, 2007, is €40.8 million.

debts to the amount of €31.0 million, while contri-

This is explained by:buting €32.6 million to working capital.

	the improvement in investment income(€1.3 million),

Investment projects in progress, for a total amount	increasing provision write-backs (€14.7 million),of €51.8 million, representing approximately €47.8

	the presence of extraordinary income

million adjusted for VAT, have been completed to(€3.8 million),

59%, i.e. €28.2 million. The €19.6-million difference	t he € 9.0 million difference between the granthas been carried over to 2008.

reduction and the VAT reimbursed for 2005 and2006,
	VAT savings in 2007 to the amount of €12.0 million.
Cash provided by operations, budgeted at €1.5 million
in the most recent budget forecast, reached €26.7
million, a difference of + € 25.2 million, resultingfrom:	a €40.8-million improvement in income,	an increase in the share of capital grants included in
the income statement, representing € 0.6 million,	a depreciation differential of € 0.2 million,	a rise in provision write-backs amounting to€14.7 million.

6 I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007

F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

4 EVALUATION OF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
4.1. Liabilities

variation is explained by reimbursement of existingloans (€1.4 million) and prepaid income (€0.7 million).

With income at €31.0 million, the net situation
has progressed by 51.6%, to €90.8 million. Taking
into consideration the portion of the grant for public

4.2. Assets

service charges accounted for as a capital grant (seeabove), this item increased by €28.5 million. Contin-

Fixed assets increased to €111.9 million, a rise ofgency and loss provisions have been reduced to€12.7 million, due to continued renewal of IRSN

€18.4 million, bringing the Institute’s long-term

facilities and equipment.

capital to €163.2 million, up from the €122.1 million
figure of 2006.

Current assets also rose, reaching €139.1 million,
as the €41.0 million reimbursement for VAT due

Short- and medium-term debt, for the amount offrom years 2005 to 2007 was accounted for as recei-€ 87.8 million, as opposed to €94.0 million in 2006,

vable from the French Treasury, counterbalanced bydecreased due to the decline in accounts payable toa €28.3-million drop in cash assets. The balance of

suppliers (€11.1 million), partially compensated by

the variation consists of the VAT on unbilled payables

a complementary loan for €5.6 million to financeand down-payments to suppliers.

the new dosimetry technology. The balance of theConclusion
The 2007 budget was executed within the forecasted budget balance presented to the Board of
Directors.

in 2007 and the time-lag imposed before the VAT
reimbursement expected in 2008.
The contribution to allocations for dismantling

The Institute’s fiscal situation now stands clear in

and remediation operations, fixed at €1.1 million

terms of how the corporate income tax is to be

every year, is now insufficient, given the decision toapplied, and the manner in which VAT will be reco-

shut down the Phebus experimental reactor, confir-

vered on purchases and costs.

med by the Atomic Energy Committee. The resulting

A contribution of € 32.6 million was made toshort-term financing needs, and the increase in funds

working capital, including the €19.6 million carry-

required to finance the updated list of eligible ope-

over of investments in progress, reinforcing therations, will make it necessary to call for an excep-

Institute’s cash position, placed under a certain

tional contribution as soon as possible.

amount of stress by the reduced grant allocated

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

7

Balance Sheet
AssetsEuros				

2007

2006

2005

		

Net

Net

Net

Gross

Depreciation			& provisions

Intangible assets 		

12,183,297.08

10,046,867.03

2,136,430.05

2,618,231.40

1,597,325.37

Tangible assets		

180,078,409.40

73,479,594.05

106,598,815.35

94,405,259.93

59,558,191.36

Financial assets 		

3,158,525.44

3,158,525.44

2,139,011.49

1,314,180.01

Fixed assets 		

195,420,231.92

83,526,461.08

111,893,770.84

99,162,502.82

62,469,696.74

3,200,128.34		

3,200,128.34

142,937.41

140,499.71

Accounts receivable					26,478,214.01

26,716,089.71

Current assets
Inventory and work in progress
Prepayments and advances on orders		

customer receivables		

25,840,390.59

24,080.62

25,816,309.97

24,546,800.04

24,984,581.97

related receivables		

47,992,553.12		

47,992,553.12

1,931,413.97

1,731,507.74

Other receivables 		

45,159.22		

Investment securities		

49,913,075.86		

49,913,075.86

85,092,342.32

65,313,646.29

Cash		

12,140,939.23		

12,140,939.23

5,254,892.15

1,905,219.84

45,159.22		

Prepaid expenses						Current assets		

139,132,246.36

24,080.62

139,108,165.74

116,968,385.89

94,075,455.55

GRAND TOTAL		

334,552,478.28

83,550,541.70

251,001,936.58

216,130,888.71

156,545,152.29

55 %

45 %

22 %

AssetsFixed assets �111.9 million
Current assets �139.1 million

2%

50 %

9%
17 %

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents �62 million
Prepayments �3.2 million
Customer receivables �25.8 million
Other receivables �48.1 million
Current assets �139.1 million

2%

8 I IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007
54 %

46 %

Détail de l'actif

21 %F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

liabilities
Euros		

2007

2006

2005

Allowances		

8,782,859.59

8,782,859.59

8,782,859.59

Reserves		

51,083,266.14

46,222,746.95

31,844,160.61

Retained earnings (loss)				

– 6,045,350.60

Fiscal year profit 		

30,963,852.03

4,860,519.19

20,423,936.94

Net position 		

90,829,977.76

59,866,125.73

55,005,606.54

Capital grants 		

35,091,137.98

6,547,264.28

8,505,605.26

Equity		125,921,115.74

66,413,390.01

63,511,211.80

Contingency provision 		2,109,000.00

2,013,000.00

1,278,000.00

Provision for taxes due		

177,000.00

15,375,369.57

9,250,369.57

Loss provision 		

35,011,000.00

38,285,000.00

9,806,000.00

Contingency and loss provision 		

37,297,000.00

55,673,369.57

20,334,369.57

Bank borrowings 		

15,183,905.42

11,012,752.99

7,283,771.11

Various debts and liabilities 		

190.50190.50190.50Prepayments and advances on orders			

2,432,850.45

2,468,724.45

Trade notes and accounts payable 		

41,835,202.76

44,716,299.49

31,459,617.08

Tax and social liabilities		

23,748,397.96

24,085,228.42

20,529,969.47

Other operating liabilities		

130,669.38

Payables to fixed asset suppliers and related accounts 		

3,845,582.51

9,042,920.05

9,306,807.42

Other liabilities		

2,373,871.64

2,753,887.23

1,650,490.89

Prepayments and accrued income 		

666,000.67

Liabilities		

87,783,820.84

94,044,129.13

72,699,570.92

GRAND TOTAL 		

251,001,936.58

216,130,888.71

156,545,152.29

23 %

56 %

Long-term capital

21 %

27 %

Net position �90.8 million
Capital grant �35.1 million
Provisions �37.3 million

Liabilities
Tax and social liabilities �23.8 million
Trade payables �45.7 million
Other liabilities �18.3 million

21 %
52 %

46 %

49 %

Capitaux permanents
IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

Situation nette 59,9 M�
Subvention d'investissement 6,5 M�

9

17 %

Income Statement
Euros, excl. VAT		

2007

2006

2005

Research work		

11,600,446.57

12,331,633.33

16,291,682.37

Service contracts		

14,965,765.23

17,816,377.00

14,995,334.80

Other services provided		

5,281,978.47

4,946,515.75

4,795,015.10

Net revenue		

31,848,190.27

35,094,526.08

36,082,032.27

Operating grants		

190,599,016.47

233,413,984.22

240,153,038.38

Write-backs on depreciation and provisions		

18,653,925.36

2,770,683.10

522,051.53

Expense transfer		

206,282.73

24,721.71

54,410.88

Other income		

3,782,854.33

457,815.11

1,721,596.47

Operating income 		

245,090,269.16

271,761,730.22

278,533,129.53

Outside expenses for fiscal year		

107,093,251.77

125,464,361.29

132,158,168.96

Taxes, duties, and similar payments		

13,397,986.18

11,117,320.62

3,302,586.05

Personnel expenses		

111,865,157.14

109,618,595.41

103,617,061.44

Depreciation & provisions		

16,806,211.72

22,295,556.87

21,734,857.59

Other expenses		

1,618,502.86

1,053,293.40

2,140,338.06

Operating expenses 		

250,781,109.67

269,549,127.59

262,953,012.10

OPERATING INCOME		

– 5,690,840.51

2,212,602.63

15,580,117.43

Investment income

4,052,131.84

1,571,625.06

1,190,690.45

Financial charges

425,425.61

323,419.25

99,153.11

3,626,706.23

1,248,205.81

1,091,537.34

INCOME BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS		– 2,064,134.28

3,460,808.44

16,671,654.77

Extraordinary revenue		

33,375,219.19

2,013,326.86

4,146,552.62

Extraordinary charges		

347,232.88

613,616.11

375,520.45

EXTRAORDINARY INCOME		

33,027,986.31

1,399,710.75

3,771,032.17

Income tax				

18,750.00

FINANCIAL INCOMEFISCAL YEAR INCOME		Operating income (in millions of Euros)
176.5

3.3

115.4

10.8

9.9

31.8

16.8

22.7

Other

3.3

108.8

2007

100

1,000

2006

10 I I R S N A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7

Purchases of goods & services

126.5
0

10

2007
10

Depreciation & provisions

22.3

Own revenue

35.1

Taxes

8.1

Other grants

4.3

20,423,936.94

Personnel

112.6

Mindef grant

2.9

4,860,519.19

Operating expenses (in millions of Euros)

Medad grant

226.2

0

30,963,852.03

100

2006

1,000

F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

Income Statement Subtotals
CAPTION		Dec. 31, 2007%

Dec. 31, 2006

Dec. 31, 2005

Sales		

31,848,190.27

14.32 %

35,094,526.08

36,082,032.27+ Operating grants		

190,599,016.47

85.68 %

233,413,984.22

240,153,038.38

FISCAL YEAR PRODUCTION		

222,447,206.74

100.00268,508,510.30

276,235,070.65– Outside expenses		

107,093,251.77

48.14 %

125,464,361.29

132,158,168.96

ADDED VALUE		

115,353,954.97

51.86 %

143,044,149.01

144,076,901.69– Taxes and duties		

13,397,986.18

6.02 %

11,117,320.62

3,302,586.05– Personnel expenses		

111,865,157.14

50.29 %

109,618,595.41

103,617,061.44

OPERATING INCOME Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization– 9,909,188.35– 4.45 %22,308,232.98

37,157,254.20+ Write-backs, expense transfer		

18,860,208.09

8.48 %

2,795,404.81

576,462.41+ Other income		

3,782,854.33

1.70 %

457,815.11

1,721,596.47– Depreciation & provisions		

16,806,211.72

7.56 %

22,295,556.87

21,734,857.59+ Write-back on capital grants		

2,571,406.30

1.16 %

1,986,504.24

4,057,270.75– Other expenses		

1,618,502.86

0.73 %

1,053,293.40

2,140,338.06

OPERATING INCOME		– 3,119,434.21– 1.40 %4,199,106.87

19,637,388.18+ Investment income		

4,052,131.84

1.82 %

1,571,625.06

1,190,690.45– Financial charges		

425,425.61

0.19 %

323,419.25

99,153.11

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Before Income Tax		

507,272.02

0.23 %

5,447,312.68

20,728,925.52+ Extraordinary revenue		

30,803,812.89

13.85 %

26,822.62

89,281.87– Extraordinary charges		

347,232.88

0.16 %

613,616.11

375,520.45

EXTRAORDINARY INCOME		

30,456,580.01

13.69 %

– 586,793.49– 286,238.58– Income tax					18,750.00

FISCAL YEAR INCOME		

30,963,852.03

13.92 %

4,860,519.19

20,423,936.94

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

11

Budget vs. Actual
INCOME STATEMENT in Euros		
REVENUE2007 Budget

2007 - Actual		Service contract sales 		

36,078,980.00

31,848,190.27

Government grants 		

220,008,257.00

190,599,016.47

Other operating revenue

2,800,000.00

38,844,581.79

Internal operations

5,774,000.00

21,225,831.66

TOTAL REVENUE

264,661,237.00

282,517,620.19

Personnel expenses

117,264,390.00

111,865,157.14

Other operating expenses

134,937,476.00

122,875,041.67

Internal operations

17,000,000.00

16,813,569.35

Precautionary reserve

5,208,716.00

EXPENDITURE 		TOTAL EXPENDITURE

274,410,582.00

251,553,768.16

RESULT (Profit)		

30,963,852.03

RESULT (Loss)

9,749,345.00

TOTAL INCOME STATEMENT BALANCE

274,410,582.00

282,517,620.19

2007 Budget

2007 - Actual– 9,749,345.00

30,963,852.03

		

3,498.42+ Depreciation & provisions

17,000,000.00

16,806,211.72– Portion of grants recorded in result

1,858,000.00

2,427,906.30

916,000.00

18,653,925.36

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS

1,476,655.00

26,691,730.51

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION in Euros		2007 Budget

2007 - Actual

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS

1,476,655.00

26,691,730.51

Acquisition of tangible and intangible assets		

51,771,780.00

28,224,883.59

Financial assets

1,230,000.00

1,274,020.09

Long-term debt paid

1,413,000.00

1,535,165.29

TOTAL USES OF CASH

54,414,780.00

31,034,068.97

Government capital grants

28,071,780.00

30,971,780.00

Other sources (excl. internal operations) 		

1,122,000.00

255,006.14

Dismantling provision

5,600,000.00

5,706,317.72

34,793,780.00

36,933,103.86– 18,144,345.00

32,590,765.40

TRANSFER OF RESULT TO CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS in Euros		
RESULT+ Loss on sale of assets– Write-backs on depreciation and provisions

Dismantling assets

TOTAL SOURCES OF CASHCONTRIBUTION TO WORKING CAPITAL

12 I I R S N A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 7

F i n a n c i a l r e p o rt
IRSN 2007

IRSN ANNUAL REPORT 2007 I

13

Head Office31, avenue de la Division Leclerc
92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses
RCS Nanterre B 440 546 018
Telephone+33 (0)1 58 35 88 88
Correspondence
BP 1792262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex
IRSN website
www.irsn.org

Crédits photos : IRSN / Olivier Seignette - Mikaël Lafontan

IRSN certified quality
management system