2008
Annual ReportContents

Organization .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01
Editorial by Agnès Buzyn, Chairperson,
Board of Directors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
Editorial by Jacques Repussard,
Director General .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04
Interview with Michel Brière,
Deputy Director General in Charge ofDefense-related Missions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
Activity in 2008: key figures .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
Panorama of 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
Major reports published in 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
IRSN in short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
IRSN missions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Organization chart .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Board of Directors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Steering Committee for the Nuclear
Defense Expertise Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Scientific Council .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Summary and Outlook.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Strategy .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Training .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Lessons learned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Activities .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Challenge 1: Safety at existing facilities .. . . 34
Monitoring facilities and transport .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Fuel safety .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Fire protection .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Severe accidents .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Naturally-occuring hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
About defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Challenge 2: Conducting assessments on
future facilities .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Reactors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Geological repositories for radioactive waste .. . 54
Challenge 3: Environmental andpopulation exposure .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Environmental exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Studies on site environments .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Transfer and behavior of radioactive
substances in the environment .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Radiation protection in the workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Challenge 4: Security of nuclear
facilities and materials .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Protection and inspection of
nuclear and sensitive materials .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
International inspections ina non-proliferation context .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Protection against malicious acts .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Challenge 5: Emergency response .. . . . . . . . . . . . 70
National policy .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Consolidation of emergency responseorganization .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Developing tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Challenge 6: Effects of Chronic Exposure .. . 74
ENVIRHOM program .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Chronic risks .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Challenge 7: Protection in
healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Radiopathology .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Assessments in the medical field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Ensuring Efficiency.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Quality .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Hygiene, safety, andenvironmental protection .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Scientific and technical excellence .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Human resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Communications .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Financial Report at the end of the Annual
ReportIRSN site details (on flap)

2008
Annual Repor tEditorial

The Institute will assert
its vital role as a worldclass expert in nuclear
assessment

In 2008 the Board of Directors was renewed.
The board members were chosen to comply
with requirements in our founding charter,
resulting in a constructive balance between
the ministries directly involved in IRSN’s
mission (including the supervisory ministries), nuclear safety authorities, Institutestaff representatives, advisory members,
including international scientific experts,
and the President of the National Association of Local Information Commissions. By
choosing a physician to chair the IRSN Board,public authorities have signaled their intention to reinforce a nuclear culture based onsafety in the medical environment, while
clearly emphasizing that the essence of theInstitute is to serve the public by protecting
people from the (harmful) effects of ionizing
radiation.

Our mission
is based on a uniqueand diversified quest
for quality thatmakes IRSN one
of a kind.

The annual report gives IRSN
personnel the opportunity to review the year’s accomplishments
together and reflect on the image
that we, as a community, project tothose outside our organization.

The year 2008 was a particularly busy one
for the Institute, especially due to a few
minor incidents that had no impact on publichealth, but sparked widespread media coverage, leaving their mark on our collective
consciousness. This situation of living witha constantly perceived, and real, risk means
we must be extremely vigilant.

To begin, we must be vigilant in our core
activity: in the various emergency situations that occurred in the summer of 2008,
the Institute demonstrated its ability to act
reliably as the legitimate national expert,

2 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Vigilant as well in how we communicate,staying aware of the image we create in
the public eye. The Transparency Act statesthat the various nuclear stakeholders must
provide the public with sufficient information
on nuclear safety and radiation protection
so that people are able to assess the risks
involved. This represents a tremendous step
forward for us as citizens. Transparency
also implies making information not only
accessible, but also comprehensible, throughexplanation and instruction.

The conclusions of this multidiscipline committee will be taken into consideration as theInstitute prepares its future strategy plans.

OrganiZation

Our challenge for the future, in a context
of high media visibility open to contrasting
viewpoints, is first and foremost to affirm
the Institute’s image as a vital world-classexpert in nuclear safety and radiation protection, an organization that strives to be
responsive, rigorous, impartial, proactive andtransparent. The Board of Directors will bevigilant in any decisions that could affectthe public service mission of the Institute. It
will continue to target our goal, essential forsociety as a whole, to protect people and theenvironment, the commitment that unites
each and every member of IRSN personnel.

ACTIVITies

As a public service institution, we have amajor role to play. In this respect, the Institute can call on several instruments to serve
this educational objective, such as its analysis
reports, which are very complete, precise,and appropriate for widespread publication,
now appearing as Internet links in the annual
report. The Charter for Openness to Society
enacted this year should also contribute to
discussion and dialogue between the various
stakeholders and represents a very constructive step in the right direction towards openness and transparency in public relations.
In parallel, the new governance structure
initiated by our supervisory ministries, theNuclear Safety and Radiation Protection
Research Policy Committee, aims to explain
our research strategy and invites society totake part in this reflection on the long-term
prospects of research in nuclear safety andradiation protection.

Agnès Buzyn
Board of Directors Chairperson

In conclusion, our mission is based on aunique and diversified quest for qualitythat makes IRSN one of a kind. This pursuit
must be supported both inside and outside
the Institute, and the annual report is one wayof making it known to all of our partners.

ensuring efficiency

through efficient internal organization andthe professionalism of its staff. In an era ofrenewed interest for the nuclear sector on
both the national and international scene
and the ensuing diversification of parties
involved, IRSN must continue to promote a
nuclear culture based on safety, conducting
its expert mission with uncompromising discipline, as pressure builds on our personnel.
We must therefore endeavor to constantly
refresh our in-house skills and renew ourstaff members, keeping in mind the more
attractive sources, especially universities, butalso encouraging knowledge-sharing within
our ranks. We also need to reflect together
on how to reorganize our land and building
assets, an issue to be confronted in the next
few years, as we aim to preserve a coherent
balance between scientific facilities and assessment resources in the relevant departments, while keeping in mind the efforts thiswill require from our staff members.

Summary and outlook

The essence of the Institute’s mission
is to serve the public by protecting people
from the effects of ionizing radiation.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

3

Editorial

IRSN’s sole ambition
is to advance the causeof nuclear safety

The relative confidence that the Frenchpeople have in the safety of their nuclear
power plants is not to be taken for granted,
as revealed by the latest IRSN annual public
opinion barometer, based on a survey
conducted in December 2008. In France,a growing portion of the population (33%compared to 20% in previous polls) question
the degree of safety in nuclear facilities,
and a majority (53% vs 40% previously)suspect the presence of environmental
and health risks in the areas surrounding
nuclear sites. Should this be interpreted
as the result of the minor incidents, given
vast media coverage, that affected several
nuclear facilities a few months earlier? Or thetribute to be paid to greater transparency,
which leads commentators to constantly
fire away at nuclear industry representatives
and authorities, generating concern among
those who, until now, showed no interestin these issues?

We contributeto developing nuclear
safety expertise in an
increasing number ofcountries.

The expression "nuclear safety" is understood here in
the general sense defined in the 2006 legislation: safety offacilities, safeguards against malicious acts, protection fromrisks related to ionizing radiation.

4 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Whatever the case, the survey shows a
growing demand for transparency, which iseven considered essential if nuclear energy is
to be accepted on a long-term basis. Along a
different line, the public continues to hold ahigh opinion of scientific experts, and hopes
to see an increasing number of cross-discipline structures. This would give experts fromvarious horizons the opportunity to confront
their positions clearly, helping to ensure
the independence of opinions expressed onsafety and radiation protection and, in the
final outcome, affirming the validity of decisions made by public authorities.

This means transparency is both the problem
and the solution!

Given the context, the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety has
tailored its action to successfully fulfil its
obligations as the national public expert
on nuclear safety, an essential mission toserve society as a whole, gaining ever-wider
recognition.

By participating in targeted scientificcollaborative projects, it aims to contribute to the emergence of a much-neededcross-discipline expert network specialized
in nuclear safety and radiation protection,
particularly by working with local information committees.
It also contributes to training professionals
and keeping the public informed, as witnessedby the success of its Internet sites, where thelengthening list of publications is consulted
by an increasing number of visitors.

OrganiZation

IRSN’s sole ambition is to advance the causeof nuclear safety. This is what appears in
the 2008 Annual Report, which I invite you
to discover.

Summary and outlook

A community of men andwomen serving the cause of
nuclear safety.

Jacques Repussard

IRSN is reinforcing its technical support capability to assist public authorities, within
the context of nuclear legislation passed
in 2006, focusing its efforts on nationwide
radiation monitoring and the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to an accident
situation, while ensuring transparency.

Director General

ACTIVITies

With the international expansion of nuclear
activities, the Institute is called on to accompany government policy by contributing to the development of nuclear safetyknow-how in a growing number of countries
through the French International Nuclear
Agency, and by encouraging the emergenceof worldwide cooperation between expert
organizations specialized in nuclear and radiological risk, a starting point for standardizing good practice.

To conclude, IRSN is also a community of
men and women committed to serving
nuclear safety, whose efficiency as a groupdepends on both the quality of its technicalresources, and its allegiance to the values
incarnated by the Institute: scientific rigor,
independent judgment, conservation andtransmission of knowledge, respect for theopinions of others.

ensuring efficiency

The Institute’s research programs focus on
major questions whose answers will shape
nuclear safety in the years to come, while
taking advantage of opportunities to cooperate with universities, research institutions,and major nuclear industry stakeholders
in France and other countries such as theUnited States, members of the European
Union, Japan, Russia, tomorrow India, andperhaps even China. Created to advise the
IRSN Board of Directors, the Nuclear Safety
and Radiation Protection Research Policy
Committee, whose members will be chosen
along the same principles as participants tothe Environment Round Table, will consolidate this approach.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

5

Editorial

Interview with
the Deputy Director
General in charge ofdefense-related missions
To support public authorities in the specificareas of defense and security covered by the
French Code of Defense, the Institute is overseen by the ministries in charge of the corresponding law enforcement agencies (defense,
industry, energy). The Institute’s founding
charter also stipulates certain specific provisions, namely, that there must be a deputy
director general responsible for this mission
and a nuclear defense expertise division in
charge of the corresponding activities within
the Institute.

IRSN’s expertise in nuclear and radiological risk applies to all areas

Activities involving the study and analysis ofsafety and security files, along with facility
and transport inspections, are conducted incompliance with defense confidentiality requirements, with priority given to employing
the Institute’s best scientific and technicalresources to serve public authorities.

of nuclear activity, including those
involved in national defense, and alltypes of risk, such as malicious acts
and terrorism.

In 2008, nuclear defense and security assessments, conducted on a national andsometimes international scale, mobilized theequivalent of 130 people, representing nearly
8% of the Institute’s activity, described in thisreport in Challenge 1 (Nuclear Safety, About
Defense) and Challenge 4 (Security and Nonproliferation).
• For defense-related nuclear facilities andactivities, safety assessments ordered by the
Nuclear Defense Expertise Division (DEND)
included the nuclear ballistic missile submarine Le Terrible under construction, theaircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, coming
to the end of its maintenance period, anda large number of facilities being built ortransformed by CEA, Areva or the FrenchNavy.

6 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

• As concerns protection of nuclear materials,
facilities and transport against malicious actsor terrorism, the year was marked by thetransfer of responsibility for national control
from the Ministry of Industry to the Ministryof Energy, with a significant extension of activity for senior defense and security officials.
In addition, the decision taken in 2008 to
reinforce national regulations on radioactive
sources in order to tighten security will alsoentail new tasks for the Institute.
• With regard to enforcement of non-proliferation treaties in France, the role of the Institute’s experts is to accompany international
inspection teams to ensure compliance withthe terms of these agreements. In 2008 thenumber of inspections led by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weaponsrose significantly, while Euratom and the
IAEA kept up their substantial inspection efforts. IRSN also pursued the development of
information system applications to facilitateand secure data exchanges between Frenchindustry, the Institute, and international control organizations.

Public authorities who called on the Institute’s
technical support services in 2008 in the fields
of defense and security expressed their satisfaction. Our main objective is to help them
fulfil their mission.

Michel Brière
Deputy Director General in chargeof defense-related missions

OrganiZation

Activity in 2008:
key figures

IRSN: expert innuclear andradiological risk

Activity at the InstituteInternational activity

46%

180 bilateral agreementsof IRSN’s budget is devoted
to research

211 scientific publications

signed with research and assessment
organizations

Training services

4,301

man-daysof training delivered

36

countries involved in these
agreements

82 international projects in progressTechnical support for
public authorities

709

technical opinions submitted
to the ASN (excluding defense-related
activities)

97 technical opinions submitted tothe defense safety authority

439

Human resources

1,701 employees on permanentcontracts as of December 31, 2008
(including 77 assigned to the ASN or otherinstitutions)Intellectual property

21

French patents in force(including one co-owned with CEA)

15 patents in force abroad
195 software applications and data

Summary and outlook

RESEARCH

bases filed (24 co-owned with CEA and6 placed with the software protection
agency APP, co-owned with Vuez,
Slovakia)

technical opinions submitted to
the national security authority

ACTIVITies

The budget breakdown
1.85%

Operatingand investment
expenditure

Funding

16.62%

 udget Act 189 grantBBudget Act 212 grantOther French funds(aside from Budget Act)Foreign funding

1.25%

 perating expenses
OInvestment

80.28%

86.64%

67.17%

8.6%
14.66%

7.16%
2.41%

French funds(aside from Budget Act)S tateEDF
ArevaCEA
Others

14.06%
30.13%

13.62%

Foreign funds
ensuring efficiency

13.36%

E uropean Commission
Riskaudit
NRC
Others

42.19%

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

7

Panorama of
2008

February 5

February 26

Label awarded by the
PACA region’s Territorial
Risk and Vulnerability
Management Cluster for
the Copernic joint
platform on fire research,
led by IRSN. This platform

On-line publication of
the complete resultsof IRSN assessments
conducted on radiosurgery
accidents at the university
hospital in Toulouse.

allows companies to call on IRSN’scompetence and test facilities
in areas involving fire hazards.

The two reports published by
the Institute shed light on thecauses and medical consequencesof these accidents, which involved
145 patients. Over twenty IRSN
experts and researchers worked
for several months on thisparticularly complex assessment.

February 6
IRSN participated in
the first meeting held by
the executive committeeof the SNETP in Brussels.

January 15
Development of scientific cooperation between
IRSN and India’s Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre(Barc). After training several
Barc engineers on the implementation of computer codes used insafety assessments, the Instituterecently signed a licence agreementwith the Indian agency for the useof Cathare, a thermal-hydraulic code used to assess accident situations.

February 5
IRSN’s Director General
spoke before the Advisory
Committee on Reactor
Safeguards (ACRS) in
Washington on the Institute’s

long-term research perspectives
in nuclear safety.

The Institute’s Director General
represented all the nuclear
technical safety organizations(TSOs) in the European Union who
are participating in this researchplatform, established to ensurethat the various partners involved
develop converging and efficientresearch strategies.

February 19
Kick-off of the ASAMPSA2
project to conductprobabilistic safetyassessments (PSA) on
reactors, directed by IRSN.

As part of Europe’s 7th Researchand Development Framework
Program (FP7), the project involves
optimizing Level 2 PSA methods
applied to reactors.

IRSN signed a joint
agreement with seven otherscientific institutions withcomplementary skills andknowledge in industrial
risk control. The purpose of

the agreement is to organize
research and technology transfer
activity within the national
industrial risk cluster created by
the State in 1998, locatedin Bourges, France.

February 22
IRSN’s Director Generalappointed as presidentof the ETSON networkfor one year. Created by IRSN

and its German and Belgian
counterparts, GRS and Bel V,
the ETSON network of nuclear
technical safety organizations
aims to develop more close-knit
relationships in research andassessment between European
TSOs.

8 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

March 11

March 18
A day of talks between
the CNRS and IRSN on
the collaborative scientificwork they conduct in
the field of nuclear safety.

This event, a follow-up to the new
joint laboratory on micromechanics
and structural integrity (MIST),
co-founded by the two research
institutes and the University ofMontpellier 2, is part of a strategy
to develop scientific partnerships
between IRSN, universities andbasic research organizations.

IRSN and GRS signed a contract with the Bulgariansafety authority for a safety assessment of the future
reactor in Belene. IRSN, in partnership with the German TSO GRS
and their joint affiliate Riskaudit, will provide the Bulgarian safety authority with their expertise in assessing the preliminary safety report on thisreactor.

June 12

July 1IRSN and the CNRS
created Trasse, a national
research group focussing
on safety in nuclear waste
repositories. The inauguration

IRSN designated as thenational benchmark
laboratory for measuring
radionuclides in foodstuffs.

of the national research group
TRASSE, which focuses on
the transfer of radionuclides tosoil, subsoil and ecosystems, marksa reinforcement of cooperation
between IRSN and the CNRS.

The Directorate General
on Food Safety (DGAL) fromthe French Ministry of Agriculture
and Fishing, has assigned thisnew mission to IRSN basedon the Institute’s experiencein radioactivity metrology.

Organization

April 11

June 16

May 14

A framework
cooperation agreement on
nuclear safety and radiation
protection was signed
between IRSN and its
Belgian counterpart Bel V.

IRSN inaugurated CHIP,
a new facility designed toquantify and characterizeradioactive iodine release in
the event of core meltdown
in a nuclear reactor.

The purpose is to respond to
growing demand for assessmentsin these areas, brought about by
development prospects in Europe
and throughout the world in civil
nuclear energy.

May 9
Creation of AFNI, theFrench International
Nuclear Agency. To assist

countries who wish to acquire
nuclear power plants, France hascreated an international nuclear
agency, AFNI, to coordinate
action taken by French publicorganizations within thesecountries. With nuclear safety andradiation protection as the core
issues in this initiative, IRSN has
been designated as a member ofthe Agency’s executive committee
and will provide considerable
support to countries seeking todevelop nuclear energy facilities.

The CHIP experimental program(based on reactor coolant system
iodine chemistry), which uses
a new test facility located in
Cadarache in southern France,
aims to broaden the Institute’s
assessment capabilities in accident
prevention and emergency
response management withregard to environmental release ofradioactive iodine.

A special report was
published on the IRSN
website concerning
the incident involving
environmental releaseof a uranium-containing
solution at the Socatri plantin Bollène in southern
France.

This initial communication wasquickly followed up by interactive
maps of the area surrounding
the Socatri plant published on
the Internet, giving the public
easy access to environment
measurement results.

From August 25 to 29
Economic prospecting mission to China. In efforts to de­v­elop IRSN’s commercial activities on an international scale, this mission
presented the Institute’s skills to industry representatives in China, where
the demand is high for technical knowledge in safety. Similar initiatives
began in 2008 in various countries that have shown an interest in IRSN’s
skills and experience.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

9

Ensuring efficiency

April 24

July 8ACTIVITIESOrganized by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
the project’s objectives are
twofold: to report on progressachieved in development ofradioactive waste geologicalrepositories; and to takemeasures to standardize safety
demonstrations among various
repository projects.

Summary and Outlook

The plenary meeting ofGeosaf, the international
project team working on
geological repository safety
demonstration, was held at
IRSN headquarters.

From October 6 to 17

Seminar organized in Beijing on the EPR plant.

September 3
The French Council of
Ministers has nominatedAgnès Buzyn as
Chairperson to the IRSN
Board of Directors.

Organized in partnership with ASN, the French nuclear safety authority, theseminar focused on the main regulatory and technical aspects important for safety on this type of reactor. The event was held in response toa request from China’s safety authority, illustrating IRSN’s commitment
to fulfilling its institutional and international mission. To help new nuclear
countries in developing their assessment capability in safety and radiation
protection, IRSN has become a participant in the steering committees of
the French international nuclear agency, Afni. In collaborative work conducted with the other European technical safety organizations, the Institute leads activities coordinated through the Sustainable Nuclear Energy
Technology Platform (SNETP).

Agnès Buzyn is a physician
and professor of hematology at
the Necker Children’s Hospitalin Paris.

General assembly of ETSON(European Technical Safety
Organization Network) in
Paris. Two new members joined

Etson at the 2008 Eurosafe
Forum, VTT from Finland and
UJV from the Czech Republic, aconcrete illustration of the trend
toward closer cooperation in
Europe on safety issues.

November 3 and 4
IRSN organized the10th edition of theEurosafe Forum in
Paris, in partnership with
GRS from Germany and
Bel V from Belgium. Over

400 experts came together for
discussions on the theme Roleof Technical Safety Organizationsin an International Context of
Growing Demand for Safety
Assessments.

September 23
IRSN presented to
the HCTISN a report andproposals on water quality
in areas surrounding
French nuclear facilities.

Exposed before the HighCommittee for Transparency andInformation on Nuclear Safety(HCTISN), the report had been
prepared at the requestof this committee following
the July 7, 2008 incident involving
environmental release of
uranium-containing effluent by
the Socatri plant in Bollène
in southern France.

November 3

November 17
October 9

October 31

The Charter for Openness
to Society was signed by
the directors of the Afsset,
Ineris, and IRSN. This charter

A protocol between
IRSN and the CMVOA(operational watch center
to alert the Frenchgovernment of major
events) was signed, defining
IRSN’s contribution todemonstrates to the public thatthese institutions are determinedto give society easier access tothe assessment process.

October 23
Agreement signed between
the State and IRSN to enact
legislative and regulatory
texts on the protection
and control of nuclear
materials.

The transfer of activities coveredby the agreement from the
Ministry of Industry to the
Ministry of Energy led IRSN tosign a new agreement with thelatter, for one year, under thesame terms of law. A complete
review is scheduled in 2009.

10 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

keeping the Ministry for Ecology,
Energy, Sustainable Development
and Town and Country Planning
informed in the event of aradiological emergency.
The agreement specifies
what information must be
exchanged between the Instituteand the CMVOA, as well as
communication procedures to befollowed.

Partnership agreement
signed between IRSN and
the Paris Fire Brigade.

Cooperation between thecontracting parties targets joint
initiatives in research, informationand training.

December 9
The Institute publisheda report exposing IRSN’s
viewpoint on safety andradiation protection issues
relative to French nuclear
power plants in 2007.

IRSN conducts a continuous
safety assessment on theexisting EDF NPP fleet, keeping
the distance necessary to glean
pertinent information.
The report published in 2008
helps both stakeholders andthe general public ascertain theissues at hand in nuclear facility
management, covering progressachieved and remaining shortfalls.

L’accident de radio-chirurgie
stéréotaxique au Centre
hospitalier universitairede Toulouse – Évaluation
dosimétrique et clinique,analyse de risque (Stereotaxic
radiosurgery accident at the
Toulouse university hospital– dosimetric and clinicalassessment, risk analysis)

Published in March 2008
www.irsn.org
Analyse des données
relatives à la mise à jourdes niveaux de référence
diagnostiques en radiologie
et en médecine nucléaire :bilan 2004-2006 (Data analysis
on updated diagnostic reference
levels in radiology and nuclear
medicine: 2004-2006 report).

Published in May 2008
www.irsn.org
La radioprotection destravailleurs : bilan IRSN
2007 des expositions
professionnelles aux
rayonnements ionisants(Worker radiation protection:2007 IRSN report on occupational
exposure to ionizing radiation).

Published in December 2008
www.irsn.org

Environmental
monitoring
État de la surveillanceenvironnementale etbilan du marquage desnappes phréatiques etdes cours d’eau autour
des sites nucléaires et desentreposages anciens dedéchets radioactifs (Status
report on environmental
monitoring and radioactivity
detected in groundwater and water
courses near nuclear facilities
and former radioactive waste
storage sites). Report prepared for
the French High Committee forTransparency and Information on
Nuclear Safety.

Published in September 2008
www.irsn.org
Bilan de l’état radiologiquede l’environnement français
en 2007 : synthèse desrésultats des réseaux desurveillance de l’IRSN (2007report on the radiological stateof the environment in France:summary of results from the IRSN
monitoring networks).

Published in November 2008
www.irsn.org
Bilan de la surveillance dela radioactivité en Polynésie
française en 2007 : résultats
du réseau de surveillancede l’IRSN (2007 report onradioactivity monitoring in French
Polynesia: results from the IRSN
monitoring network).

Le radon, synthèse desconnaissances et résultats
des premières investigations
en environnement
minier (Radon: overview ofknowledge and results of initialinvestigations in a mining
environment).

Published in December 2008
www.irsn.org
Surveillance de la radioactivité
dans l’environnement
du bassin de la Loire –n partenariat entre l’IRSN etles Cli de Dampierre-en-Burlyet de Saint-Laurent-des-Eauxau service de la vigilancecitoyenne (Monitoring
radioactivity in the Loire basin
environment – A partnership
between IRSN and the Local
Information Committees ofDampierre-en-Burly and SaintLaurent-des-Eaux serving citizen
vigilance).

Published in December 2008
www.irsn.org

Scientific excellence
and training
Formation à et parla recherche : bilan 2007
(2007 report on researchtraining)

Published in June 2008
www.irsn.org
Rapport scientifiqueet technique (Technical andscientific report)

Published in June 2008
http://net-science.irsn.org
Apport des traceurs à
la compréhension desprocessus de transport
au sein de formations
argileuses indurées(Contribution of tracers to theunderstanding of transport
processes in indurated
argillaceous formations)

ACTIVITies

Études épidémiologiquesdes leucémies autour desinstallations nucléaires chez
l’enfant et le jeune adulte :revue critique (Epidemiologicalstudies of leukemia in children
and young adults around nuclear
facilities: a critical review).

Published in December 2008
www.irsn.org

Summary and outlook

Le point de vue
de l’IRSN sur la sûreté etla radioprotection du parcélectronucléaire français
en 2007 (IRSN’s viewpoint onsafety and radiation protection
issues relative to French nuclear
power plants in 2007).

Human radiation
protection

Published in February 2008
www.irsn.org

OrganiZation

Major reports
published in 2008

Published in October 2008
www.irsn.org

Nuclear safety
Incidents de transportde matières radioactives àusage civil : bilan 1999-2007(Transport incidents involving
radioactive materials for civil
applications: 1999-2007 report).

ensuring efficiency

IRSN: expert innuclear andradiological risk

Published in October 2008
www.irsn.org

Published in November 2008
www.irsn.org

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

11

IRSN: expert innuclear andradiological risk

IRSN
in short

Founding the Institute
IRSN was set up under Article 5 of French Act No. 2001-398 of May 9,
2001, enacted through Order No. 2002-254 of February 22, 2002. This
Order was amended on April 7, 2007 following the adoption on June
13, 2006 of the Transparency and Nuclear Safety Act.

StatusIRSN is a public authority with industrial and commercial activities,
placed under the joint authority of the Ministry for 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 Ministry of Defense and the Ministry for
Health and Sports.

Lines of development in the IRSN
Contract of Objectives for 2006-2009• Rethink the research dynamic.
• Optimize technical support provided to public authorities.
• Provide other social and economic stakeholders with
the information, expertise and studies they require.
• Drive activity on the European and international scene.

Workforce and locations(as of December 31, 2008)
IRSN employs around 1,700 people, including many specialists, engineers, researchers, physicians, agricultural engineers, veterinary surgeons
and technicians, as well as experts in nuclear safety, radiation protection
and control of sensitive nuclear materials.

Directors• Agnès Buzyn, Board of Directors Chairperson• Jacques Repussard, Director General• Michel Brière, Deputy Director General in charge ofdefense-related missions• Jean-Luc Pasquier, Deputy Director• Jean-François Lacronique, Advisor• Daniel Quéniart, Advisor

North Region: 1,266 employees

Cherbourg - OctevillePurposeLe Vésinet
SaclayFontenay-aux-Roses
Orsay

IRSN is the nation’s public service expert in nuclear and radiation risks,
providing assessments and conducting research to meet the needs ofpublic authorities.

2008 Budget*
Revenue: €255 million.
Expenditure: €281 million, including €35 million for equipment
investment.

Agen

Tournemire
Les Angles - Avignon

SPECIALIZATIONS• Monitoring environmental radiation and participating inradiological emergency response situations.
• Human radiation protection.
• Prevention of major accidents in nuclear facilities.
• Reactor safety.
• Safety in plants, laboratories, transport, and waste treatment.
• Nuclear defense expertise.

* See Financial Report for further details.

12 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Pierrelatte
Cadarache

La Seyne-sur-Mer

Mahina (Tahiti)

South Region: 317 employees

IRSN
missions

Organization

IRSN: expert innuclear andradiological risk

Research and public service missions

Technical and operational support
and assistance to public authorities

Defining and implementing national and international
research programs

Technical support with regard to nuclear and radiological risks

IRSN defines and conducts research programs aimed at maintaining
and developing the skills necessary for expert assessments in its
specializations. It either carries out the programs itself or, in a European
or international context, may entrust them to other French or foreign
research institutes.

The scope of IRSN’s activity covers nuclear facilities operating in
the civilian or defense sector, transport of radioactive substances,
enforcement of treaties on control of nuclear and sensitive materials,
and the physical protection and safety of industrial and medical
applications.

Contribution to training and teaching in radiation protection

Operational support in the event of a crisis or radiation
emergency

IRSN contributes to round-the-clock health surveillance in radiation
protection by monitoring environmental radiation, as well as managing
and processing dosimetric data for workers exposed to ionizing
radiation. IRSN also manages the national inventory of radioactive
sources.

Contributing to public information
IRSN informs the public of nuclear and radiation risks via publications,the Internet, exhibitions and conferences.

CONSULTANCY Services contracted
for expert assessments, research andmeasurements

ACTIVITIESContinuous monitoring in the field of radiation protection

In the event of an incident or accident involving sources of ionizing
radiation, IRSN provides guidance to public authorities on the technical,
public health and medical measures to be taken to protect the population,
workers and the environment, while restoring safety at facilities.

Conducting assessments, research, analyses andmeasurements for public or private organizations
IRSN conducts assessments for public and private organizations inFrance, Europe, and the international community, and also provides
third-party assessment services for industries operating environmentallysensitive facilities outside the nuclear sector.

Ensuring efficiency

 s an establishment specialized in research and assessments, IRSN
A
contributes to training and teaching in the fields of radiation protection,
nuclear safety and nuclear security. The radiation protection training
courses it organizes are directed at professionals working in the healthsector and workers exposed to occupational hazards.

Summary and Outlook

Amended Order No. 2002-254 of February 22, 2002 relative to IRSN, put forward seven
missions for the Institute covering radiation protection, nuclear safety, and nuclear security.
These are organized into the three sectors described below.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

13

Board of Directors (April 2009)

Patricia de la Morlais
Human Resources

Michel Brière
Deputy Director Generalin charge of defense-related missions

Jérôme Joly
Nuclear Defense ExpertiseDidier Champion
Environment and Response

Jean-Claude Micaelli

Thierry Charles

Prevention ofMajor Accidents

Safety of Plants, Laboratories,
Transport and Waste

Michel Schwarz
ScienceDaniel Quéniart
Jean-Bernard ChériéMartial Jorel

General Secretary

Reactor Safety

Jacques Repussard

Jean-Luc PasquierDirector General

Deputy Director

AdvisorMichel Bouvet

Marie-Pierre BigotPatrick Gourmelon

Communications

Radiation Protection and Human Health

14 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Strategy, Development and External
Relations

Bruno Dufer
Security and Assets

Organization chart

Board of Directors

OrganiZation

Governance

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Agnès Buzyn,

Jacques Repussard,

Chairperson (nominated by Order of September 3, 2008)

Director General

Michel Brière,

Deputy Director General in charge ofdefense-related missions

Jean-Luc Pasquier,Deputy Director

Jean-François Lacronique, Daniel Quéniart,

OPERATIONAL DIVISIONS
Nuclear Defense ExpertiseJérôme Joly, Director> D efense safety assessments> Security of nuclear materials, transport and facilities> Enforcement of international inspections

Summary and outlook

Advisors

GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Jean-Bernard Chérié, General Secretary> Human resources> Financial affairs> Commercial relations and legal support> Information technology systems> Technical support and studies

Environment and Response
Didier Champion, Director

FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS> Study of radionuclide behavior in ecosystems> Environmental sample processing and metrology> Radiation protection response and support

Strategy, Development and External Relations
Michel Bouvet, Director> Emergency situations and response organization> E xpert assessment programs

Prevention of Major Accidents> O penness to society

Jean-Claude Micaelli, Director> Studies and experimental research on chemistry and fire
> Studies and experimental research on materials> Studies and modeling on fuel behavior in accident situations> Fire, corium, and containment studies and modeling> Research programs> International relations> International development> Technology watch, forecasting and innovation

Science
Michel Schwarz, Director*

Radiation Protection and Human Health> Teaching and training in radiation protection,

Patrick Gourmelon, Director> A ssessment and scientific activities> Radiation protection studies and assessments> Radiobiology and epidemiology> E xternal dosimetry> Internal dosimetry

Reactor Safety
Martial Jorel, Director> Pressurized water reactors> Gas-cooled, fast-neutron and experimental reactors> Equipment and structures> Systems and risks> Thermal-hydraulics, reactor core, and operation of nuclear facilities> Severe accidents and radiological consequences

nuclear safety and security> Scientific and technical knowledge engineering> Scientific information resources

Communications
Marie-Pierre Bigot, Director> In-house communications> Information and media relations> Programs and public relations

Security and Assets
Bruno Dufer, Director and “IRSN Security Officer”> Security of assets and sites> Human factors> B uildings and logistics

Safety of Plants, Laboratories,
Transport and Waste> Sustainable development

Thierry Charles, Director> Fuel cycle transport and facilities

ACTIVITies> A nalysis of risks related to the geosphere> Hygiene, safety and environmental protection

ensuring efficiency> Study and monitoring of radioactivity in the environment

Accounting Office
Catherine Albaret, Accounting Officer> Laboratories, irradiators, accelerators and decommissioned reactors> Radioactive waste> Industrial risks, fire and containment> Criticality> Air dispersion of contaminants* Position held by Dominique Gobin up until December 2008.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

15

Governance

Boardof Directors

Missions
Deliberations by the Board of Directors ruleon IRSN activities. More specifically, the Board
deliberates on general conditions governingorganization and operation, the Institute’s
programs and strategy, and the annual report.
It also approves the budget, decisions involving
changes, year-end financial statements andincome appropriation.

Members (as of December 31, 2008)> 10 government representatives
Jocelyne Boudot

 eputy Director of Environmental and Food Risk Prevention
Dat the French Directorate General for Health, representing
the Minister for Health

Régine Bréhier

 irector of Research and Innovation, representing the ministerDin charge of the environment

Claire Buéno ead of the Energy, Profit-sharing, Industry and Innovation
H
Office at the Budget Directorate, representing the ministerin charge of the budget

Jean-Denis Combrexelle irector of Labor Relations, representing the minister in chargeDof employment

Dominique Goutte irector of the Department of Chemistry, EngineeringD
Sciences, Nuclear and High-energy Physics, Energy, andSustainable Development, representing the minister in chargeof researchJean Hamiot

Inspector General of Armaments, representing the Minister ofDefenseMarcelJurien de la Gravière epresentative in charge of Nuclear Safety and Radiation
R
Protection for Defense-related Activities and Facilities

Pascal Mathieu

 ead of the Major Risks Office at the Directorate for Defense
H
and Civil Security, representing the minister in charge of civil
security

Stéphane Noël ead of the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Mission
H

Cyrille Vincent

Deputy Director for the nuclear industry, Directorate General

Main accomplishments• Board of Directors renewed• Creation of the Nuclear Safety andRadiation Protection Research Policy
Committee• Creation of the Ethics Commission• Set-up of a profit-sharing system• Employee mobility plan adopted
between CEA and IRSN

for Energy and Climate, representing the minister in chargeof industry

16 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Agnès Buzyn

 oard of Directors Chairperson, physician and professor ofB
hematology, nominated by the Minister for Health

Serge AubertAir Force Brigadier-General, nominated by the Minister ofDefenseClaude Birraux

P resident of the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of
Scientific and Technological Options

Jean-Marc Cavedon

Director of the Division for Research in Nuclear Energy and3245

meetings
per year

OrganiZation> Six advisory members

members-year
mandateJean-Claude Delalonde hairman of the National Association of Local InformationC
Commissions, nominated by the Minister for Ecology

Jean-Michel Gires irector of Sustainable Development and the Environment forD
the Total group, nominated by the Minister for Industry

Summary and outlook

Safety at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, nominatedby the Minister for Research> Eight staff representatives
Hervé Boll, Nicolas Brisson, François Ducamp, Thierry Fleury, François Jeffroy,
Yves Le Reste, Christophe Serres, Carine Strup-Perrot> Ex officio or associate members
 uditor GeneralA

Catherine Albaret

IRSN Accounting Officer

Philippe Bourachot

 orks Committee Secretary
W

Michel Brière

IRSN Deputy Director General in charge of defense-related
missions

André-Claude Lacoste hairman of the French Nuclear Safety Authority
C

Laurent Michel irector General of Risk Prevention and Government
D
Commissioner

Jacques Repussard irector General of IRSND
ACTIVITies

Bernard Abate

Specialized in hematology pathologies, practicing at the Necker Children’s Hospital, Agnès
Buzyn, aged 45, was appointed Chairperson of the IRSN Board of Directors on
September 3, 2008, replacing Jean-François Lacronique.

Agnès Buzyn
Board of Directors
Chairperson

The new chairperson explained her priorities for the Institute: "The first involves radiotherapy,
where IRSN needs to drive the country’s effort to introduce a new safety culture in the medical sector,
comparable to what has been accomplished in the nuclear power industry. Second, I believe that
research work, an absolutely essential part of the Institute’s activities, must be made as comprehensible,
credible, and competitive as possible, through partnerships with major research institutions. IRSN’s new
Research Policy Committee is central to this strategy".

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

ensuring efficiency

In thewords of"The fact that I work on pathologies such as leukemia and medullar aplasia was probably what led theMinister for Health to propose my candidature for an institute such as IRSN, whose activities all converge
towards human radiation protection. I also had the opportunity to work with the Institute during an
exercise that set out to define procedures for treating irradiated victims in a scenario involving a severe
accident or terrorist attack. I was impressed by the diversity of skills employed at IRSN and the quality of
its teams."

17

GovernanceSteering Committee
for the Nuclear Defense
Expertise Division(CODEND)

Missions
The committee examines the activity program
prepared by the Nuclear Defense Expertise
Division (DEND) before it is submitted to theInstitute’s Board of Directors. It is consulted
when the Board of Directors is called upon
to make decisions relating specifically to theorganization or operation of this division, andadvises the Board of Directors on mattersrelated to division activities.

Main accomplishments• Review of defense and safety aspects ofthe following:- the DEND 2007 Activity Report and
IRSN 2007 Annual Report;- Medium- and Long-term Plan;- DEND Activity Program for 2009.
• Definition of policy on renewal offramework agreements dealing with
nuclear defense assessments.

410

meetings per year

members

18 ORGANIZATION _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Members (as of December 31, 2008)
Emmanuel Sartorius

Chairman of CODEND, Senior Defense and Security Official
at the Ministry for the Economy, Industry and Employment

Jean-François Bacherot

Air Force Brigadier-General, nuclear weapons inspector

Philippe Coindreau

Captain in the French Navy, representing the administrative
Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense

Rosine CouchoudRepresenting the Director of Strategic Affairs,
Security and Disarmament at the Ministry of Foreign andEuropean Affairs

Jean-Baptiste Fleutot

Chief Medical Officer of the French Armed Forces, renewal ofmandate as advisory member in progress

MarcelJurien de la Gravière epresentative in charge of Nuclear Safety and Radiation
R
Protection for Defense-related Activities and Facilities

Georges Mouton

 ear-Admiral, representative of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff
R

Serge Poulard enewal of mandate as advisory member in progress
R

Patrick RenvoiseE ngineer General for Armaments, representing the DGA,
the French defense procurement agency

Emmanuel RousselotRepresenting the Budget Director

OrganiZation

The ScientificCouncil

Summary and outlook

Governance

The Scientific Council gives an opinion on IRSN
programs. It examines program results in order to prepare recommendations on Institutestrategy. It may be consulted by the Board’s
chairperson or by the supervisory ministers
on any subject that comes under the Institute’s authority. Its advice may be sought on
any issue or operation that involves an IRSN
commitment.

Main accomplishments• Two assessments completed andpresented:- research in radiopathology andtreatment of irradiation victims;- the role of global tests in simulating
reactor accidents.
Opinions and the associated assessment
reports are available at http://net-science.irsn.org• Assessment on “Aging of reactor
materials” started in mid-2008.

Members (as of December 31, 2008)
Michel Quintard

S cientific Council Chairman, CNRS Research Director at the
Toulouse Institute of Fluid Mechanics, nominated by the Ministerfor ResearchJean-Claude AndréCNRS Research Director at the National School of Industrial
Chemistry (Ensic) in Nancy, nominated by the Minister for Labor

Dietrich Averbeck

 NRS Research Director, Radiation Protection Manager
Cin the Curie Institute Research Division, nominatedby the Minister for Health

Pierre Catilina

Physician specialized in occupational pathology and member of

ACTIVITies

Missions

the French Commission on Occupational Disease, nominated by
the Minister for Labor

Pierre Laroche hief Medical Officer of the French Armed Forces and Head ofC
the Medical Division of the Armed Forces’ Radiation Protection
Department, nominated by the Minister of Defense

Philippe LeconteP hysicist, former Director of CEA’s radioactive waste management
research program, nominated by the Minister for Research

Ethel-Esther
Moustacchi

S cientific Director for the Atomic Energy High Commissioner,
nominated by the Minister for Ecology

André PineauP rofessor at the Paris School of Mine Engineering, nominated by
the Minister for Industry

Bernard Sevestre

Engineer General for Armaments, Deputy Director of nuclear2
12

meetings per year

members

VictorTeschendorff

ensuring efficiency

activities at CEA Saclay, nominated by the Minister of Defense

Head of Department at Gesellschaft für Anlagen- undReaktorsicherheit GmbH (GRS, Germany), nominated by
the Minister for Ecology

George Yadigaroglu P rofessor of Nuclear Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute ofTechnology, nominated by the Minister for Industry

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ORGANIZATION

19

[VISION][COHESION][SHARING]

20 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Strategy

22

Training

29

Lessons learned

30

Summary
and Outlook

in France“Aandreference
around the world”

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

21

STRATEGY

Contributing toa nuclear culture basedon radiation protection,
safety and security
In 2008, in a changing national and international context, IRSN played an active rolein the development of a nuclear culture based on radiation protection, safety and security
in all sectors involving the use of radioactive or nuclear materials and equipment emitting
ionizing radiation. As stakeholders in the nuclear sector encounter changing needs, IRSN
defines its objectives and priorities accordingly. It has established a long-term vision to guideresearch efforts and plan investment, and is ready to intervene quickly and efficiently whencalled on by public authorities to provide support services. IRSN considers nuclear safety andradiological protection to be the concern of all citizens. Consequently, it strives to makethe most of its experience, research, and assessment resources, in Europe and internationally.

Analyzing the changing
needs of nuclear
stakeholders
In keeping with conclusions of the French
Environment Round Table, IRSN aims to makethe wealth of its knowledge and experience,
gained through research and assessment
work, available to all nuclear stakeholders.
This strategy addresses two issues: strengthening the consultancy capability of the Institute by consolidating experience resulting
from work in various fields of application,and providing information so that decisions
can be taken based on facts and complete,reliable analyses.

In the words ofJean-François Lecomte,
Alain Rannou
Senior experts in radiation protection
at IRSNTo implement its strategy, IRSN keeps close
ties with stakeholders who could benefit fromits expertise. In 2008, the Institute continued
working in cooperation with ASN, the French
nuclear safety authority, towards developing
a coordinated approach to managing various
priority areas, including construction of the EPR
plant in Flamanville (Manche); maintaining ahigh level of safety in EDF nuclear power plants,
given aging facilities and changes in industrial
practice; and developing regulations to enforce
the Transparency and Nuclear Safety Act.
Following the occurrence of radiotherapy
accidents in various French hospitals, in 2008

IRSN developed a safety approach for the
medical sector, and for radiotherapy in particular. The approach builds on lessons learned
from these accidents, while taking tried andproven concepts and analysis methods fromthe field of nuclear power generation andadapting them to this sector.
In this way IRSN demonstrates its determination to advance safety and radiation
protection in all relevant sectors of activity, particularly with regards to the various
French health agencies coordinated by the
Ministry for Health within the Health Agency
Networking Committee.

In 2008, two new advisory committees dedicated to radiation protection were formed
to work with ASN: the Medical Advisory Committee for medical matters and theRadiation Advisory Committee for more general issues. Their work agenda covers
technical or general questions, such as radon, involving protection of both workers
and the public, and management of the post-accident phase of nuclear accidents or
emergency radiological situations.It also covers interventional radiology, reference
levels for radiology diagnostics and nuclear medicine, good practice and alternative
solutions in gammagraphy, as well as lessons learned from incidents. These two newadvisory committees are tasked with contributing to the definition of national policy
on radiation protection and preparing regulatory changes. They will also contributeto information transparency in this area, since the recommendations of the advisorycommittees will be published.

22 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

OrganiZation
Renovating the Cabri experimental reactor.

Summary and outlook

New governance at
IRSN based on the
search for efficiency> The Nuclear Safety andRadiation Protection Research
Policy Committee created in 2008
> International Development
Division established> First draft of the Medium- andLong-term Plan prepared> Inter-Institute Charter on
Openness to Society published

ACTIVITies

Given the complexity of nuclear safety andprotection against ionizing radiation, it is necessary to anticipate the changing needs ofdifferent stakeholders, and keep a clear visionof the long-term actions each of them musttake. Based on the four pillars(1) of the Contractof Objectives signed with the government
for the period 2006-2009, IRSN has outlined
a Medium- and Long-term Plan of action toachieve its goals. These actions take into account changes planned by EDF in its nuclear
fuel management programs (characterized byhigher fuel burnup rates in reactors); facility
aging and its impact on nuclear power plantsafety; and the protection of humans andthe environment against ionizing radiation.
In defining its medium- and long-term strategy, IRSN has been led to affirm its research
priorities in the following areas:• N uclear safety: continuation of reactor
safety programs in the context of ongoingchanges in EDF nuclear fuel management.
In this respect, IRSN is committed to form-

ing scientific partnerships with universities
and basic research institutions to achieve
more rapid results in nuclear safety research.
For example, by working with the CNRS in
mid-2007 to found the MIST, a laboratory
for research on micromechanics and structural integrity, rewarding results on nuclear
fuel behavior at microstructural levels wereobtained as early as 2008.
• Protection against ionizing radiation: continuation of a study in 2008 on the healthand environmental effects of chronic contamination at low doses of radioactivity, inthe ongoing European Alpha-Risk research
program on the risks of chronic multiple exposure, an important contribution to the European Commission High Level Expert Group,a European and international group tasked
ultimately with giving a major boost to studies on the health effects of low doses.

(1)
Rethinking the research dynamic; optimizing technicalsupport to public authorities; responding to the needs ofother economic and social organizations with regards toinformation, assessment and studies; playing a key roleon the European and international scene.

ensuring efficiency

Developing a long-term
vision to guide researchand plan investment

Inauguration of MIST, a laboratory dedicated to micromechanics and structural integrity.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

23

STRATEGY

Ready to provide fast andefficient assessment
IRSN medium- and long-term action-planningbuilds on experience gained from participation
in incident or accident response situations,leading to improvements in its organization,action, and response capabilities in casessuch as these. In this respect, the release of
uranium-containing effluents into the environment at the Socatri plant in July 2008
was a rich learning experience for IRSN, also
demonstrating the Institute’s ability to react
quickly. Socatri, a branch of the Areva grouplocated in Bollène (Vaucluse), specializes innuclear equipment maintenance, decontamination and dismantling, as well as effluent andwaste management.

IRSN, benchmark laboratory for measuring radioactivity in food.

In thewords ofDidierHoussinDirector Generalof Health,
Ministry of Healthand Sports

For many years, the various French health agencies haveheld a weekly health security meeting at the Ministry of
Health to exchange views on current affairs involving
health security and action to be taken, including
emergency situations.
At the beginning of 2008, in addition to these
operational-oriented meetings, Roselyne BachelotNarquin decided to hold strategic meetings designed
to reinforce cohesion within the national health security
system, with the ministry as its focal point, and enhancetransparency of its action.
Since March 2008, the Health Agency Networking
Committee has met every two months to discuss
medium-term, cross-agency issues such as research,assessment, standardization of referrals, European
partnerships etc.
With regards to ionizing radiation, it is essential to bring
together specialists in hospital management, medical
device vigilance(1) , and radiation protection.
IRSN’s role in this process is vital, since the use ofionizing radiation extends throughout several sectors
such as radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.

This know-how, today recognized as a reference, led organizations such as the French
Directorate General on Food Safety, from the
Ministry of Agriculture, to designate IRSN asa benchmark laboratory in measuring radioactivity in food in 2008.

Nuclear safety andradiation protection
concerns everyone
Since its foundation, IRSN has pursued its
policy of sharing the knowledge and lessons
learned from its assessment work with a growing number of nuclear professionals as well as
associations and the public at large. This desire
for transparency and openness, one of the pillars of the Contract of Objectives, is reinforcedby the Transparency and Nuclear Safety Act.
IRSN considers that the development of "citizen vigilance" is an essential contribution to
the correct use of radioactive materials, anecessary complement to its techical skills
and independent judgement.
In the same spirit, in 2008 IRSN published areport on the safety of French nuclear power
plants and a summary report on epidemiological studies around nuclear sites. In agree-(1)

The purpose of medical device vigilance is to keep a watch on incidents
or the risk of incidents that may result from the use of commerciallyavailable medical devices. This vigilance system was set up at the same time
as new rules governing marketing of medical devices adopted by Member
States of the European Union. (www.materiovigilance.org)

24 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

8.3%

of funds forresearch
programs
come from externally-generated revenue(11% in 2007)

Beyond publishing information, IRSN is committed to exploring new ways of acquiring,
sharing and consolidating knowledge. In thecontext of the environmental pilot project
conducted in the Loire region, for example,
the Institute, along with local informationcommittees, developed an easily accessible
and intelligible presentation concerning environmental radioactivity monitoring data.
In the past year IRSN has thus doubled thenumber of initiatives taken with local information committees. This participatory approach
can also be seen in the European COWAM in
Practice nuclear waste governance project, designed to improve decision-making processes
on future repositories, including concerns in
the geographical areas involved. Still in 2008,
the Institute contributed to the preparationof a second interim report by the joint expert
group in the Limousin area. This group brings
together institutions, associations, independent consultants, industry and foreign experts,
tasked with bringing to the attention of publicauthorities the opinions and recommenda-

tions resulting from a collaborative assessment of technical documentation provided
by Areva NC, relative to monitoring remediated mining sites in the Haute-Vienne area.
This set of measures also draws on studies
such as the Barometer of Public Risk Perception,or the study jointly conducted with Ineris on
contaminated soil management and public
relations. IRSN is also preparing to implement proposals made by Georges Mercadal,
tasked by the French National Commission
on Public Debate, at the Institute’s request,
to consider initiatives that IRSN could taketo reinforce transparency and social openness in its work.
The degree of maturity attained by IRSN in
this regard was witnessed by the French HighCommittee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN), and by theCommission for Information on the Major
Energy Facilities at Tricastin (Cigeet), at thetime of the July 2008 incident at the Socatri
plant in Bollène.

OrganiZation

In this respect, IRSN hascontributed to progress made by
Areva by driving the group andacting as the operator’s thirdparty consultant in conducting
environmental assessments.
Areva considers it has reaped
benefits in two ways from its
participation in the joint expert
group on mines: first, achieving
clarity in its own views throughthe "mirror effect" of dialogue,
which obliges participants tostate things clearly; and second,attaining legitimacy by issuingrecommendations in the name of
the joint expert group, removing
the suspicion that usually weighson the operator alone.

47%of the budget
is devoted to technical support and public
service programs (45.5% in 2007)

ensuring efficiency

ment with the ASN, it also decided to publish
summaries of reports presented to advisorycommittees working for this authority, whoin turn published the opinions and follow-up
letters of these committees. In October theInstitute circulated an Inter-Institute Charter
on Openness to Society, co-signed by Afsset
and Ineris.

ACTIVITies

IRSN is a member of the joint expert group for the remediation of former mining sites.

Areva has learned how to leada joint expert group to successthrough its participation in the
North-Cotentin Radioecology
Group and the joint expert
group on remediation of former
mining sites. The first condition
is to formulate each issue plainly
and simply, clarifying any vague
expression of opposition.
Next, the joint expert group mustteam up with a public exchange
forum, such as a local informationcommittee, to open dialogue withthe population.
Finally, functions must be attributed
to the various participants inthe joint expert group.

Summary and outlook

Joint expert groups:
the Areva viewpoint85

peopleper year
assigned to international programs(95 in 2007)

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

25

STRATEGYIRSN is increasingly committed to promoting radiation protection.

Making IRSN research andassessment count in Europe
and internationally"A nuclear safety problem anywhere is a problem everywhere" says Ashok Thadani, former
director of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research,at the 2002 Eurosafe Forum, underlining
the inevitable interdependence of nations inmatters of nuclear safety. IRSN, which fully
subscribes to this point of view, is engaged
in a growing drive towards both bilateral andmultilateral international cooperation. The
Institute is therefore promoting a culture of
nuclear safety and security, including radiation

In thewords of
Aleš John
Chairman of
the Board of the
Nuclear ResearchInstitute Rež PLC

protection, to standardize technical practices
in these fields, to create as much research synergy as possible and to support partners whocall on the knowledge it has gained throughresearch and assessment. This campaign took
place in 2008 in a global context where new
nuclear power projects were starting up andvarious countries, for the first time, beganconsidering the nuclear power alternative forgenerating electricity.

Promoting nuclear safety
and radiation protection
IRSN has continued to work alongside the
IAEA, especially through the Consultant Meeting chaired by the Institute’s Director General,designed to continue the work begun in April
2007 during a conference organized by the
Agency in France, in conjunction with IRSN.
The objective is to reach a clearer definition of
the scientific and technical support function in
the area of nuclear safety, thereby consolidating the purpose and missions of institutions
that, like IRSN, are responsible for providing
this type of assistance to safety authorities.
At the same time, the Institute contributed

Over a year ago, UJV, a Czech technical safety organisation, began discussions with IRSN, Bel V
and GRS on the possiblity of joining ETSON. These talks led to the signing of an agreement on
November 3, 2008 during the Eurosafe Forum. For UJV, becoming a member of ETSON offers
several advantages, starting with the visibility acquired by becoming a member of the TSO networkand the consideration we receive from regulatory authorities. This makes it easier to exchange
information regarding our respective programs, or projects conducted by our regulatory authorities
and questions of method. As concerns the necessary independence of inspections and assessments
carried out by TSOs, being a member of ETSON means UJV can call on its counterparts to conduct
assessments on its behalf and vice versa, since our institutions cover a large range of activities.

26 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

OrganiZation
Director of
the Office of
Nuclear Regulatory
Research at the US
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission

to several other IAEA projects, including the
new Basic Safety Standards (BSS), guidelines
designed to replace those in force since 1996,
as well as work conducted with the IAEA Commission on Safety Standards (CSS). It wasalso involved in a twofold way in the changes
made to international principles of radiation
protection. First, it played an active role inupdating work conducted by the International
Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP)
and by the OCDE’s Nuclear Energy Agency(NEA). It also collaborated with the United
Nations Scientific Committee on the Effectsof Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), with theEuropean Commission (during revision of theEuropean directives on radiation protection),after the latest ICPR publication 103.

Contributing tostandardizing technical
nuclear safety practices
From November 3 to 4, 2008, IRSN organized the Eurosafe Forum in Paris, bringing
together 400 experts on nuclear safety andradiation protection from several countries,
around the topic The role of TSOs in the context of increasing demand for safety expertise.

On this occasion, the European ETSON network of technical safety organisations (TSO),
chaired by IRSN in 2008, was joined by two
new members, VTT of Finland and UJV of the
Czech Republic. As newcomers join with thefounders (IRSN, its German counterpart GRS
and the Belgian Bel V), Europe demonstrates
more tight-knit cooperation aimed at standardizing technical nuclear safety practices.
This objective was illustrated by the activerole played by IRSN, within the ETSON network, in preparing safety guidelines that
focused on human factors and organizational issues, analysis of incidents and theirwarning signs, severe accidents, and others.

115

Summary and outlook

Brian Sheron

ACTIVITies

In thewords ofTo bring its research and regulatory work to a successful conclusion, the US NRC has signed bilateralagreements with various countries, the most far-reaching being the convention signed with IRSN.
The agreement covers several areas, such as severe accidents, fission product release, the behavior of
nuclear fuel in an accident situation, fire (through the Prisme program), as well as other fields coveredby IRSN research. Our cooperation takes the form of bilateral meetings such as the one held for twodays in Washington last September, where an IRSN delegation came to meet our regulatory researchteams to provide them with information and answer their questions. NRC, in turn, has sent several
staff members to France to participate in experiments conducted in IRSN research facilities.
This type of collaborative work helps us achieve a better understanding of risks, gives us greater
confidence in the reliability of our assessments and helps us explain to the public the risks associatedwith nuclear power.

occasionsfor IRSN
to participate in international expert groups(112 in 2007)

21

Europeanprojects in progress
(18 in 2007)

782

ensuring efficiency

visitsfrom foreign scientists
(495 in 2007)

Debate among experts from the nuclear community and representatives of civil society
at the 2008 Eurosafe Forum.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

27

STRATEGYThe Berlaymont Building, headquarters of the European Commission.

Achieving synergy
in research
IRSN is very involved in collaborative research
projects supported by the European Commission. At the executive committee meetingof the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) on February 6, 2008 in
Brussels, the Institute represented the nuclear
technical safety organizations that belong tothis research organization. Its purpose is tomaintain European excellence in the field of
nuclear fission, by preparing, implementing
and financing coherent and effective researchstrategies for the various partners.
In 2008 IRSN replied to several requests for
proposals issued by the European Commission with regards to the 7 th Research andDevelopment Framework Program. IRSN is
involved in five of the 18 projects acceptedby the Commission.
The efforts of the Institute and its partners
have seen a satisfactory success rate, par-Making IRSN’s competence count internationally.

ticularly in areas involving severe reactor accidents (Sarnet 2 Project), behavior of gases
in radioactive waste geological repositories,
and radiation protection.

Transferring precious
expertise in research
and assessment
In 2008 IRSN promoted its skills and experience in the economic value chain by developing institutional partnerships and consultancy
services:• in the context of the French International
Nuclear Agency (AFNI), where IRSN received
delegations from several North African countries, the Middle East and Asia;• through Riskaudit – a joint venture createdwith GRS, the Institute’s German counterpart, providing consultancy services in nuclear safety and environmental protection to
the European Union, as well as national andinternational organizations (safety authorities, etc) – it contributed to the Instrument

28 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

for Nuclear Safety Cooperation, a European
program open to non-European countries
such as Jordan and Egypt, offering them access to the same type of assistance provided
through the Phare and Tacis programs;• a ctions conducted in a bilateral context
included talks with the United States (NRC)
on revising safety criteria for nuclear fuel,as well as EPR seminars organized for China
and Ukraine.
Other bilateral agreements are also in effect, for example with the Republic of South
Africa for the Safari research reactor in Koeberg, and for a research facility designed
to study radioactive waste disposal. Finally,
radiation protection consultancy services
have been provided to Mongolia, Jordan, Namibia and Angola for their mining operations.

Growth in France
and abroad

OrganiZation

TRAINING

IRSN is engaged simultaneously in various
programs. In response to a specific requestfrom the European Community, it is transforming an in-house safety training program
entitled Safety Principles, Practices and Topics
to develop, in partnership with its German
counterpart GRS, a three-month training
course in nuclear safety that will combine theexperience of both partners in this area. The
Institute is also pursuing other international
training initiatives, such as one on severe accidents, in the context of the Sarnet networkof excellence, or another on radiation protection for a manufacturer in Morocco.

In training for health professionals, which
represents half of the people trained by IRSN
in patient radiation protection, the year 2008
ended with an increase of more than 50%
compared to 2007.
IRSN also observed a strong increase in demand for introductory training of radiation
protection specialists, as well as a drop in
demand for refresher courses (mandatory
every five years).
In parallel, the Institute has sought to develop
training in other fields than patient radiation
protection, particularly in industry, researchand services, and has implemented its firsttraining course on regulations pertaining toradioactive material transport.

hours
of teaching
given in 20 sessions on nuclear safety(728 in 2007)

In 2008, in its role as consultant topublic authorities, IRSN became
the national test center responsible
for awarding the Camari aptitudecertificate for operating industrial
radiology equipment.
It has organized one test session permonth since July:> five written test sesions and four
oral test sessions organized up to
the end of December 2008;> an average of 20 candidates
present at the last written exam
sessions;> the oral examination panel
consists of three people, one IRSN
staff member and two people fromoutside IRSN ;> 30 IRSN staff members may
be called on to serve as panel
members;> the failure rate on written exams
is 40% to 60%.

2,170

hours
of teaching
outsourced to IRSN staff (1,927 in 2007)

1,015

IRSN, national test
center for the Camaricertificate

ACTIVITies

Developing international
training in nuclear safety

Training in radiation
protection: an expanding
activity

1,676

hours
of teachingin 139 radiation protection training courses(1,435 in 2007)

ensuring efficiency

There is a strong demand for nuclear safetyengineers today in France due to growth in
the number of nuclear power plants and theneeds expressed by French export industries. IRSN is therefore committed to cooperating with institutes of higher education,
particularly the French National Institutefor Nuclear Science and Technology, either
by contracting out experts to give classes
on demand, or participating in educational
projects. Given that demand is comparable
in most other countries operating nuclear
power plants, IRSN has made international
training a priority.

Summary and outlook

Radiation protection training for health professionals and those who may be professionally
exposed is one of the roles assigned to IRSN by its founding charter. Beyond this, training
in the fields of safety and radiation protection responds to specific needs expressed by certain
professional disciplines, both nuclear and non-nuclear, consistent with the Institute’s approachto sharing knowledge with society. In total, around 2,000 people took IRSN training courses
in 2008.

This figure prompted IRSN to alert
public authorities regarding theinsufficient level of knowledge oftest candidates.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

29

Lessons learned

Incident at the Socatri
plant in Bollène: putting
IRSN rapid-response
capability to the test
As a result of a dysfunction in the Socatri plant in Bollène (Vaucluse), environmental releaseof uranium-containing effluent led to a large-scale mobilization of Institute teams from Julyto September 2008. Management of this emergency situation also offered valuable lessons
that enhanced IRSN responsiveness to post-accident situations, as Didier Champion,
Director of the Environment and Response Division, explains.

What happened at the Socatri Plant on
the night from July 7 to 8, 2008?
Socatri, a subsidiary of Areva, specializes incleaning components contaminated by uranium and reprocessing certain waste materials
from Andra. On the night of July 7 to 8, there
was an incident at its Bollène plant involving
environmental release of a solution containing uranium.

How did IRSN intervene in thissituation?
The following day, as well as on subsequentdays, IRSN teams were on the spot taking
water samples in the vicinity for analysis purposes. Monitoring results very rapidly established evidence of groundwater contamination by uranium pre-dating the incident andtherefore not attributable to it. The presence of
this uranium had already been highlighted by
IRSN in a report submitted a few days before
the incident to the Commission for Information on the Major Energy Facilities at Tricastin.
Given the numerous inquiries resulting fromthis incident, the Minister for Ecology, Energy,
Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning, Jean-Louis Borloo, referred thiscase to the High Committee for Transparency
and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN),
chaired by Henri Revol. The High Committeesought the support of the Institute which,on September 23, delivered a report on theradioecological state of the environment at
nuclear sites and in the groundwater.

Water samples for analysis.

How did the Institute manage
this emergency situation?

These bans paralyzed local
agriculture…

We first sought to evaluate the consequencesof the release through regular sampling andmeasurement campaigns – in addition to
those conducted by the operator – covering
water, sediment and varieties of flora andfauna in the groundwater and the vegetable
foodstuffs found in irrigated plots. While thesemeasurements were being taken, the local
State authority in the Vaucluse area banned
pumping and consumption of water.

This determined our second priority: to allow authorities to assess risks resulting fromdifferent types of water usage, and authorize
a return to normal water usage in the Tricas-

30 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK _ Annual Report IRSN 200820

recommendations

were made by IRSN to local and national
authorities in the context of this incident

Interactive map of test measurments

In thewords of
Henri Revol
Presidentof the HighCommittee forTransparency andInformation on
Nuclear Safety(HCTISN)On July 7, 2008, when uranium-containing effluent
was accidentally released to the environment at
the Socatri plant in Bollène, I summoned the HCTISN
for an emergency meeting held on July 16, in which
we heard testimony from the operator, ASN and IRSN.
The following week the Minister Jean-Louis Borloo
instructed the High Committee to produce a reporton radioecological monitoring of water in areas
surrounding nuclear facilities and the managementof former radioactive waste storage sites. Not being
an expert itself, the HCTISN turned to IRSN for advice,asking it to provide measurement and monitoring results
for basic nuclear installation sites and waste repositories;
to report on the state of environmental monitoring atthese sites and any water courses revealing radiation
contamination; and finally, requested that IRSN conduct
a public information campaign. I wish to commend
both the strong turnout of IRSN teams at the height ofthe summer holiday period, and the thoroughness andaccuracy of the assessment submitted to the Committee
on September 23, 2008. I also commend the efforts madeby the Institute to keep the public fully informed.

Did the Socatri incident test IRSN’s
response-readiness in emergency
situations?
The incident brought us face-to-face with an
unexpected situation and led us to provide
assessment capacity and information to themany parties who called on our support. In
this respect, it has been a valuable learning experience in terms of developing theInstitute’s ability to manage post-accident
situations.
www.irsn.org

Event timeline

OrganiZation
Summary and outlook

Throughout the summer, members of theInstitute were mobilized, along with the HighCommittee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety, to answer questions
from journalists and individuals, particularly
those living in the area, as well as the Cigeet.
The Director General of IRSN took part in apress conference conducted by the Minister
Jean-Louis Borloo, who gave a review of thesituation and announced the government’s
intention to cast as much light as possible
on groundwater conditions around French
nuclear sites. This government initiative led

Moreover, IRSN very rapidly made available
to the public, via its website, a special filecontaining informative materials allowing
visitors to easily access measurement results
through interactive maps, as well as assessments given by the Institute.
www.irsn.org

ACTIVITies

What role did IRSN play in keeping the
public informed?

the HCTISN to issue a report demonstratingthat the situation around these sites had beencorrectly identified and that the contamination observed in the environment was low
and decaying.

> In the night from July 7 to 8,
2008: release incident at the
Socatri plant.
> July 8: beginning of IRSN
sampling around the plant.
> July 11: IRSN published aninteractive map presenting
measurement results on its website.
> July 22: water restrictions lifted,
except for certain individually
owned wells.

ensuring efficiency

tin area, particularly for agricultural activity,
which had been affected by the usage restrictions imposed by the local authority. On thebasis of measurement results and assessment
findings from IRSN, the restrictions on water
use for drinking, fishing, bathing and irrigation were completely lifted on July 22, withthe exception of certain individually-owned
wells where persistent contamination of thegroundwater was noted.

> September 23: IRSN delivereda report to the HCTISN on theradioecological state of theenvironment at nuclear sites andin groundwater.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ Summary and outlook

31

[EXPERTISE][RESPONSIVENESS][FORESIGHT]

32 ActivitIEs _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Challenge 1
Challenge 2
Challenge 3
Challenge 4
Challenge 5
Challenge 6
Challenge 7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Safety at existing facilities

34

Conducting assessments
on future facilities

52

Environmental andpopulation exposure

56

Security of nuclear facilities
and materials

64

Emergency response

70

Effects of chronic exposure

74

Protection in healthcare

78

activities

esearch serving“Rassessment
services”

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ActivitIES

33

Challenge

1234567

Ensuring high-levelsafety and radiation
protection at existing
facilities until the endof their service life

Preparing the future while
securing the present
In 2008, at the request of nuclear authorities, IRSN conducted several safety assessments
involving new nuclear facilities, such as the EPR reactor in Flamanville or the Georges Besse II
uranium enrichment plant, as well as new nuclear fuel management methods. In parallel,
the Institute closely monitored safety in existing civil facilities, such as EDF’s nuclear power
plants, or in defense-related installations.
To fulfil its mission the Institute acquired new equipment for simulating reactor operation,
while pursuing research and experimentation, working frequently through international
partnerships. The year 2008 was marked by significant progress in understanding fire, severe
accidents, and the prevention of naturally-occurring and industrial hazards.

Monitoring facilities
and transport
To contribute to high-level safety
and radiation protection in new
or existing facilities, IRSN, providing support services to the French
nuclear safety authority, the ASN,
assess files submitted on reactors,
fuel cycle facilities, and transportof radioactive materials.

EDF reactors

Preparing for the ten-year
outage program
The outage program for the third ten-year
inspection on 900 MWe reactors is part of thesafety review initiated in 2003. Periodic safety
reviews are required in the Transparency andNuclear Safety Act. Reviewing safety on EDF
reactors aims to ensure they are fit to operate
for another ten years under satisfactory operating conditions, and to implement changes
designed to enhance safety up to the level
achieved on more recent reactors, such as the
EPR plant. These changes will be implemented
on the thirty-four 900 MWe pressurized water
reactors currently in operation, during outages
scheduled for the third ten-year inspection
program in the next ten years.
In 2008, IRSN examined the objectives proposed by EDF, along with all the design studies
completed. The review covered new safety
requirements to be taken into account, as well
as changes decided subsequent to these stud-

34 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

ies. Additional studies were required on severe
accident management, risks related to fireand explosion, internal and external hazards(especially naturally-occurring hazards), andaging of equipment and structures.
Analysis conclusions were presented before
the competent standing group in November
2008, where IRSN considered that, in general, the safety review and ensuing changes
would confirm or improve the safety level of
900 MWe reactors. This is particularly true forcertain aspects of systems (such as the change
in the pressure setpoint on safety valves toreduce the risk of overpressure in vessels undercold conditions), for reinforcement of some
civil works in terms of seismic resistance,
and for reactor containment (modificationof the equipment access hatch fasteners to
avoid containment loss in a severe accident
situation).
With regards to fire and explosion risks, IRSN
considered that EDF should take measures
to protect hydrogen-containing equipment
against corrosion and vibration phenomena,and should improve its analytical approach to
explosion hazards in rooms that are importantfor safety.
IRSN also considered that EDF should provide
further support material, or even take additional measures when necessary, to ensurethat all objectives set for the review are completely fulfilled.
www.irsn.org

Openness to society
Information on problems
related to steam generator
clogging
For several years the Institutehas been addressing the major
challenge of making its assessment
work comprehensible for all
stakeholders, including civil society,public authorities, and operators.
In this context, on June 11, 2008,
before the national association of
local information committees,
IRSN presented the common
clogging problem on the tube
support plates of steam generatorsin pressurized water reactors
operated by EDF, along withthe results of its studies and therecommendations it submitted to
the ASN. The presentation was
accompanied by an explanatory
brochure written for the publicat large. The meeting held with
Ancli, as well as another held with
the Local Information Committee
at Cruas-Meysse in southern
France on June 13, 2008, gave
way to constructive dialogue withlocal stakeholders, encouraging
IRSN to continue with this type ofapproach.

www.irsn.org(see p. 34 of the report)

Organization

Reports were also presented on radiation
protection incidents, instrumentation andcontrol equipment for 1,300 MWe reactors,
and operating experience feedback on ventilation systems.

17

advisory committees
meetings
to review IRSN’s report (21 in 2007)

The ASN bases its decisions on opinions and recommendations issued by advisory committees working under its Director General. The members of these committees are experts
appointed for their competence, selected from IRSN, universities, and commercial operations, who express their opinion on technical problems related to reactors, other basic
nuclear installations, radioactive waste repositories, or transport of radioactive materials.
To shed light on debate within these committees, IRSN assesses the technical files submitted for examination. The assessment results are written up in IRSN reports presented
by the Institute’s specialists and are discussed during meetings.

Advisory committees meetings held in 2008
January 17	Examination of French and foreign PWR operating experience
feedback over the period 2003-2005 (second meeting)January 24	Examination of the preliminary safety analysis report for
the Jules Horowitz Reactor

	March 27

Examination of EDF’s maintenance policy

April 24	Examination of pressurized water reactor safety management
in a context of market competition

	May 21E xamination of dismantling conditions of INB 80 at
the UP2 400 plant in La Hague (high-oxide-activity unit)

June 4

Examination of transport package TN 112

ACTIVITIESEvery three years, operating experience feedback on pressurized water reactors is examinedby the competent advisory committee, aspart of the continuous improvement plan.
The assessment conducted in 2008 by IRSN
to prepare this review involved safety topics covering the period from 2003 to 2005.
Conclusions gave way to recommendations
on the following points: taking into accountinternational experience feedback by EDF; lessons learned from system configuration errors
and control incidents involving core reactivity
and the water inventory in an outage situation;
overpressure incidents on the reactor coolant
system; and communication and cooperation
problems between employees.

IRSN supports advisory committees

June 4, 19, 25 and 26	Examination of the preliminary safety analysis report for
the Jules Horowitz Reactor

June 11	Examination of the intermediate safety analysis report on
the Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant based on
centrifugation

June 12	Examination of the new Galice fuel management programfor 1,300 MWe reactors

October 2, 22 and 23	Safety review on the Cabri reactor, including the pressurizedwater loop

	November 19	Examination of the Iceda preliminary safety analysis report

Ensuring efficiency

Experience feedback onreactor operation from2003 to 2005

Summary and Outlook

In 2008 IRSN published a report entitled IRSN’s Viewpoint on Safety and Radiation Protection Issues Relative to French Nuclear Power Plants in 2007.

	November 20	Examination of the safety review conclusions on 900 MWepressurized water reactors in the context of
their third ten-year inspection

	November 27

Severe accidents on pressurized water reactors

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES

35

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

Reactor operation with the plant in service can be studied using the renovated simulator.

Upgrade for the IRSN
pressurized water reactor
simulator
IRSN has a PWR nuclear reactor simulator
used for studies and training. Since September 2008, the simulator has been integrated
into a configuration dedicated to 1,450 MWe
reactors. This facility is a new addition to theconfigurations dedicated to 900 MWe and1,300 MWe reactors, set up in August 2006
and October 2007, respectively, and marks
the completion of the joint simulator upgrade
process engaged by the Institute and Areva
NP. In parallel, IRSN and Areva NP began work
to improve the models run on the various
configurations.

At the end of 2008, IRSN published its “viewpoint onsafety and radiation protection issues relative to French
nuclear power plants”. What is your opinion on
the conclusions of the report and its publication by
the Institute?

In thewords of
Pierre Wiroth
Inspector Generalfor Nuclear Safety,
EDF

In 2008, the simulator was used in its various
configurations for in-house and external training in reactor physics and reactor operation,and for development of emergency scenariosand safety studies.

709

technical
opinions submitted
to the ASN (excluding defense-related
activities) (724 in 2007)

In thewords of
Monique Séné
Vice-Presidentof Ancli

In reading this first report written by IRSN on the state ofnuclear power plants in France, I found a certain numberof themes presented in our own studies. I appreciatedthe Institute’s efforts to present the technical description
and analysis of events in an educational manner. This
document was prepared with the general public in mind,
a commendable effort worth mentioning. We share thesame goal of transparency, which means being capable
and willing to explain matters to the public. I am curious,
however, to know why this report was published at thistime, and why other stakeholders in the system produced
the same type of document on complementary topics.
In my opinion this analysis is very interesting because
it gives an idea of the in-depth work accomplished by
IRSN in terms of safety, the environment, and radiation
protection. It takes an objective view of current trends,
but also focuses on important issues, such as events that
occurred in the past year or more general problems, anddescribes the relevant action taken. In this respect, it also
highlights EDF’s responsiveness to these events.
This type of analysis is particularly useful for membersof local information committees. It allows them tounderstand the approach and enrich discussions with
EDF by asking the right questions.

www.irsn.org

36 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Organization
Summary and Outlook

During inspections conducted by the ASN, IRSN experts detected cases of non-compliance on the EPR worksite.

International
IRSN and GRS support the Bulgarian safety authority
On April 11, 2008, IRSN, its German partner GRS, and their joint affiliate
Riskaudit signed a draft agreement with the Bulgarian safety authority BNRA.
The agreement stipulates that the two technical organizations will lend theirexpertise in all areas concerning safety (except for probabilistic safety analyses)
presented in the preliminary safety analysis for the new VVER-1000 reactor to
be built at the Belene site in Bulgaria.

tion of non-compliance revealed organization
problems with the prime contractor and insufficient worksite supervision by EDF.
This led the operator to take corrective measures: filling the foundation raft cracks withresin, improving the concrete mix, and, ingeneral, reinforcing the construction supervisory teams.
In November 2008, IRSN pointed out to the
ASN that cold joints at the base of the containment where it joins the foundation raft had
not been treated correctly. This matter was
written up in a specific report, with a view toimproving the quality of construction work.
Likewise, recommendations were made regarding welding operations on the reactor’s
steel liner to ensure the required level of quality in fabrication.
Lastly, the organization of civil engineering
design was reviewed in December, with particular focus on measures taken to ensurethat safety requirements were met during thedesign phase, and on procedures implemented
to follow up contractor quality.

Assessment work began in November 2008 and will last one year. It includes
a complete analysis of the PSAR, a verification to ensure compliance with safety
rules (mainly IAEA rules), and in-depth studies on certain safety-related issues.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES37ACTIVITIESIn its role as technical consultant to the
French nuclear safety authority, the ASN,
IRSN participates in inspections conductedat the EPR worksite in Flamanville (on the
English Channel), led by ASN inspectors.
ASN requests resulting from observations
made during inspections are taken into account by EDF, the contracting authority, who
implements corrective action and reinforces
supervision of construction work on thereactor.

To support ASN efforts, IRSN has defined aninspection method and schedule applied tosafety-related structures, depending on theconstruction phase. In 2008, construction
progressed on EPR infrastructures, namely
the foundation raft of the nuclear islandthat will support the reactor building. During monthly inspections carried out at theworksite, IRSN experts pointed out instancesof non-compliance with specifications: unacceptable cracking in the foundation raft
concrete, insufficient reinforcement in theconcrete structure, changes in the steel liner
welding procedure. The Institute’s investiga-

Ensuring efficiency

Follow-up on
construction of theFlamanville-3 EPR plant

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

Experimental reactors

Safety review on the Cabri
facility

some improvements on the reactor protection
system to reinforce reliability.
www.irsn.org

was therefore given to rules on the design,
fabrication, and operation of the control rod
drive mechanisms used to control reactor
reactivity.

Design review on the Jules
Horowitz Reactor

Among other points reviewed, IRSN closely
examined the reactor core cooling system.
CEA needs confirm that a complete breakwould not lead in a severe core damage.

In 2008, IRSN presented its safety assessmentof the Cabri facility (reactor operated by CEA
to study severe accidents) to the competent
standing group, based on the safety report
established on the non-renovated facility.
IRSN focused its attention on the new criteria
proposed by the operator to ensure that thereactor core fuel rods remain sealed duringexperiments. On this concern, the Instituteconducted a study to check that the newcriteria were consistent with the results oftests carried out in the United States and Japanon similar fuel rods. To validate its analysis,
IRSN asked its Belgian counterpart, the AVN,
to perform an independent review of certain
aspects of CEA’s demonstration. In its final
conclusions, IRSN considered that the newcriteria were acceptable for the case of CABRI
core fuel rods.

In preparation for this assessment, IRSN began a study program back in 2002 with the
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany)to assess the potential consequences of an
explosive reactivity accident (referred to asa “Borax accident”). Preliminary results led
CEA to reassess maximum overpressure in thefacility containment, which could be reachedin this type of accident.

The Institute’s assessment nonetheless led
CEA to change the computer code that it hadplanned to use to demonstrate compliancewith these criteria. CEA will also carry out

IRSN’s assessment also pointed out that failure of a single control rod drive mechanism(used to control reactivity in the reactor) could
lead to a Borax accident. Significant focus

IRSN completed its preliminary safety analysis
report on the Jules Horowitz Reactor, to bebuilt at the CEA Cadarache site in southern
France, and presented it to the competent
standing group in 2008.

The Jules Horowitz Reactor is designed to test
the behavior of new fuels and materials underirradiation for 3rd and 4th generation reactors.

Pressurizedwater loop

Pressurizedwater

In thePool

Breeder core

VacuumTest
facility
Gas
Breeder core

Experimental
test rod

The Cabri reactor will be used to test irradiatedfuel rod behavior in the pressurized water loop
when a rapid power change occurs, under operating
conditions representative of a pressurized water
reactor.

38 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

words ofJean-Marie
Rousseau
IRSN’s spokesmanat the standing
group meetingon "Managementof PWR Safety ina Competitive
Market Context".

The standing group for reactors organized a meeting on
PWR safety management in a competitive market context
when the market for electricity opened to competition.
The purpose was to study the organizational measures
implemented by EDF to correctly take into account safety
requirements in the daily work of its employees.
Our analysis required 150 interviews with EDF personnel
and 35 days of on-the-job observation in ten EDF nuclear
power plants. Beyond the conclusions on the ways
EDF can advance faced with the difficult choices to bemade every day between different obligations (safety,
radiation protection, environment, costs, etc.) and on
the vulnerability induced by the massive renewal ofskills or aging installations, this standing group meeting
confirmed that there are legitimate reasons for IRSN
to examine managerial and organizational aspects.
It also stimulated debate on sensitive issues such as
the pressure placed on managers or how to deal with
cultural changes. This work may continue when it comestime to examine the role of an independent safety sector
or the organizational experience feedback at EDF.

Organization
Summary and Outlook

The George Besse II plant for uranium enrichment, using ultracentrifugation to produce nuclear fuel.

The uranium enrichment company Sociétéd’enrichissement du Tricastin, a subsidiary of
Areva, is building the Georges Besse II plantat the Pierrelatte site in the south of France,
which will use ultracentrifugation to enrichuranium for nuclear fuel. This facility will replace the existing Eurodif plant, which used
the gaseous diffusion enrichment process. Thechange in technology will considerably reduce
the amount of gaseous uranium hexafluoride
in the process, lower power consumption,
and will not require intake of water from theenvironment for process cooling. From July
2007 to May 2008, IRSN examined the safety
report, the general operating rules and on-site
emergency plan presented by the operator,
along with operating experience feedback
from comparable plants in other countries.
This review called on several specialists in containment, instrumentation and control, criticality, human factors, fire protection, radiation
protection, etc. The conclusions presented by
IRSN before the competent standing groupin June 2008 highlighted the fact that themeasures chosen by the operator significantly
enhanced safety.

Research outlet
From metrology to containment, IRSN researchon nanoparticles
The recent development of nanotechnologies raises new issues in health andenvironment risk control. Risk prevention in this field requires the ability toaccurately measure nanoparticles, particularly in the form of aerosols, as well as
to master containment techniques.
IRSN is conducting research in this area, working in cooperation with INRS,
Areva, CEA and Onera on certain projects:> metrology: development and evaluation of characterization techniquesapplied to nanoparticle geometric surface area, with a view to finding new
approaches in assessment of occupational exposure; characterization of thefractal morphology of nanoparticle aggregates, for a better understandingof how they behave and change in processing, from fabrication and filtering
to packaging, or in the event of fire; characterization of nanometric particle
emissions produced by new processes, such as laser ablation used forcleanup operations in nuclear facilities;

ACTIVITIES

Safety at theGeorges Besse II plant> transfer and containment: studying the efficiency of dynamic containment
barriers at workstations and of different types of filters used to filter orsample aerosols.

Ensuring efficiency

Fuel cycle

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES

39

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

Dismantling the high-oxide-activity unit at the La Hague plant.

Dismantling the high-oxideactivity unit at the La Hague
plant
The UP2-400 plant was the first irradiatedfuel reprocessing plant commissioned at La
Hague. At the end of 2003, Areva NC decided
to shut the plant down. After conducting
the decommissioning operations required
to prepare for dismantling, the operator
applied for authorization to dismantle thehigh-oxide-activity unit at the plant. This operation entails significant risks and technicalchallenges. IRSN appraised these points andpresented its conclusions to the competent

The Bugey site in eastern France.

standing group on May 21, 2008. The Institutefound that the safety and radiation protection
measures retained by Areva NC were appropriate. It nonetheless considered that theoperations planned in the two main cells of
the unit must be examined closely. The operator must also provide additional informationon the initial radiological state of certain
equipment items and the targeted cleanup
objectives. The ASN will stipulate how theserecommendations are to be applied after thedecree authorizing decommissioning anddismantling of the facility has been issued,
some time in 2009.

Creation of the Iceda facility
In November 2008, IRSN presented its opinion
to the competent standing group with regards
to safety of the activated waste conditioning
and storage facility, Iceda, that EDF plans tobuild at the Bugey site in southeast France,
based on a new version of the corresponding
preliminary safety analysis report.
Before ruling on the performance of facility
buildings in any given situation, particularlyin the case of an earthquake, the Instituteconsidered it necessary to ask EDF for more
information on the definition of the foundation system chosen, as well as design justifica-

International
Initial experiments in the MIRTE criticality program
After four years of preparation, the first experiment in the MIRTE criticality program(to validate criticality computer codes for structural materials) was carried out on
December 8, 2008 at CEA Valduc Centre on Apparatus B assembly. This experimental
program is cofinanced by IRSN, Areva, Andra, and the US Department of Energy (USDOE). The purpose is to contribute to the qualification of criticality computer codes forvarious structural materials used to pack nuclear fuel for transport or used in facilities
that process nuclear fuel. The MIRTE program features 42 critical experiments basedon one or several fuel assemblies, surrounded or separated by different screens madeof metal (nickel, zirconium…), glass or concrete (with different water contents).
The experimental facility was designed to be modular and flexible, so that all thedifferent experiments in the program can be carried out in roughly one year.

40 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

View on equipment test tank B at CEA Valduc
where the MIRTE experiments are being
conducted.

Organization

International

This research focuses on reactor
runaway and loss of coolant
accidents, and in the long term
could lead to changes in theassociated safety criteria.

tions. It also held that additional data would
be required to demonstrate risk control withregards to alteration of the waste packages,
which will be subject to thermal and radiolysis
phenomena.

TRANSPORT

Fuel assembly transport
IRSN assessed safety on the TN 112 waste
package model developed by Areva TN International, designed mainly to transport MOXtype irradiated fuel assemblies (containing an
initial mixture of uranium and plutonium).
Technical information exchanged during theassessment process led Areva TN International
to change certain components in the initialconcept to guarantee package leak integrity,especially after the regulatory drop tests. IRSN
presented its conclusions before the competent standing group in June 2008. The groupruled that the package model complied withtransport regulations on fuel rods assumed to
be sealed before shipping. It formulated recommendations based on the Institute’s proposals,in particular with regards to transport of fuelrods that have lost their seal.
IRSN also conducted a cross-analysis of events
involving the transport of radioactive materials occurring in France between 1999 and2007, which identified directions for improvement that would reinforce safety in this area.
www.irsn.org

Fuel safety
Nuclear reactor operators arechanging fuel management procedures used in nuclear reactors,
mainly for economic reasons. Thesechanges raise questions on the fuelsafety criteria initially retained, requiring that IRSN conduct research
and assessments on the fuel management plans under consideration.

Galice: a new fuelmanagement plan for
1,300 MWe reactors
Changes in fuel management scheduled by
EDF to improve reactor performance throughmore intensive fuel use require a complete
revision of safety report studies to demonstrate that the new management principles
and any accident situations that may occur
meet safety requirements. The assessment
conducted by IRSN involving the safety filefor the Galice fuel management (featuring
a limited increase in fuel irradiation during
operation) was presented to the competent
standing group in 2008.

On September 24 and 25, 2008,
NRC organized a public debate on
this subject, where the Institute wasinvited to present its position as aninternational expert. This invitation
marks NRC’s recognition of therelevance of work conducted by
IRSN researchers and specialists inthis area.
At the end of debate, the twoorganizations set out the major
themes of future reflection,agreeing on the need to basefuture safety criteria on a solid
scientific foundation to ensure theircontinuity in the context of rapidlychanging nuclear fuels and fuelmanagement policies.

IRSN’s assessment did not reveal any points
that totally disqualified implementation of
the Galice fuel management. The Institutedid, however, ask EDF to conduct additional
studies on a few points, such as fuel rod behavior in the event of a main steam line breakat power.
Ensuring efficiency

The TN 112 package.

ACTIVITIESIn the last two years, IRSN has been
cooperating with the US Nuclear
Regulatory Commission’s Officeof Nuclear Regulatory Research to
study the behavior of nuclear fuelin accident situations.

Summary and Outlook

Cooperating with NRC
on fuel safety criteria

The Galice fuel management differs fromthe one currently in use in that it calls forincreased enrichment in uranium-235, ahigher fuel burnup rate, and use of the
M5® alloy for cladding and the surrounding structure.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES

41

Challenge

high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ensuring
until the end of their service life

Scanair software
qualified for safety analysis
on the core of the Cabri
experimental reactor
As part of the safety review on the CEA Cabri
test reactor, the Scanair computer code,developed by IRSN, was used as a reference
tool. The software evaluates thermal-mechanical behavior of fuel rods in the core ofa pressurized water reactor during a reactivity
injection accident. This was accomplished bydeveloping and integrating into the software
new models adapted to the specific conditionsof the Cabri reactor, which is a "pool"-type
reactor.
Among the physical phenomena occurring
during a reactivity injection accident, changes
in the temperature of the fuel rod cladding
play a predominant role, since they have aconsiderable impact on the mechanical performance of the rods, especially their tensile
strength. That is why a specific model onheat exchange between the fuel rod clad-

The Cabri reactor core analyzed by Scanair.

ding and the reactor coolant was developedand integrated into the Scanair software.
This innovative model was qualified on both
the CEA Patricia facility and in more global
tests conducted during campaigns run on

Japan’s NSRR experimental reactor.
It was thus possible to use the software toassess the new safety criteria proposed by
CEA for operation of the breeder core on theCabri reactor.

More details

First results from Mist in the fieldof nuclear safety
Since July 2007, IRSN, the CNRS and the Mechanical and Civil
Engineering Laboratory at the University of Montpellier 2 have united
their research units within Mist, a laboratory designed to study
micromechanics and structural integrity. In their "virtual" laboratory,
engineers and researchers from various entitites come together toreinforce synergy between basic and applied research in their relevant
fields of specialization.
In 2008, innovative experimental techniques revealed the fundamental
mechanisms underlying cracking in materials with a complex
microstructure, such as the cladding on nuclear fuel used at highburnup rates.
In parallel, substantial progress was achieved in modeling andsimulation. These advances make it easier to understand diverse
phenomena such as sedimentation, spreading of contaminantsin rivers, or the behavior of nuclear fuel in an accident situation.
All these results were published in scientific journals and a paper
submitted to the French Academy of Science.
A day of exchanges on joint scientific research projects
conducted by IRSN and the CNRS at Cadarache.

42 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008https://gforge.irsn.fr/gf/project/mist
http://net-science.irsn.org(continue with this website)Working in close cooperation with the USNRC, IRSN carried out four tests to improveknowledge on the failure conditions of various types of electrical cable, in conditions
representative of a fire inside a nuclear facility. These tests were conducted as part of
the OECD Prisme experimental program,which sets out to study the propagation offire smoke in confined and mechanically ventilated enclosures.
The possible failure modes of electrical equipment (cables, relays, printed circuit boards)
during a fire must be taken into consideration
during nuclear facility risk assessments. ThisIn thewords ofFrançois-Xavier
Ouf
Research engineer
at the IRSN
Laboratory of
Aerosol Physics
and Metrology

During the four Prisme tests, eight cables
provided by different program partners were
tested under real fire conditions. The “thermal
stress” caused dysfunctions in the cables withthe highest heat resistance, thereby revealing
their operating limits.

All our research work on particle suspension during afire will help determine which parameters are significant
and will allow us to describe how emitted particles
behave depending on parameters such as the amountof energy, the type of medium, particle size, particulatematter stability, etc. This experimental data will serve as
support material for assessments on facility safety
in the event of fire.
Work conducted in 2008 first concentrated on
implementing the experimental facility on a small scale(modified cone calorimeter) to determine the coefficientof suspended particles in a fire situation.
We then began analytical tests on a small scale,simulating the various conditions of thermal
deterioration. The tests were based on the polymers
used in glove boxes (PMMA and Lexan) and other nonradioactive aerosols (alumina and cesium iodide).
The first tests were finalized in 2009.

Organization

Research outlet
Flumilog Program forfire risk assessment

Summary and Outlook

Electrical equipment
failurestype of dysfunction may cause the failure of
instrumentation and control systems thatare critical to facility safety. From a technical viewpoint, an electrical cable failure is
generally the result of short-circuits causedby thermal deterioration of cable components. It depends on the type of materials
used for cable sheathing, the number andsize of conductors, and the intensity of theelectrical current transmitted by the cable.
To determine what type of failures occur
and when, the Sandia National Laboratory in
the US, working on behalf of NRC, allowed
IRSN to use two of their test facilities, theSurrogate Circuit Digital Unit and the Insulation Resistance Measurement System. These
two units were designed specifically by the
SNL to detect and characterize short-circuits
in energized cables placed inside an experimental oven capable of applying significant"thermal stress".

In 2008, IRSN joined a researchgroup built around the Flumilog
Program, studying flux emitted bya fire in a logistic storage area. The
program unites technical research
centers (CNPP, Ineris, CTICM),
professionals from the transport
sector, industrial storage, and theconstruction industry (Afilog, GSE
Acelor, Michelin, Kuehne-Nagel,etc.), as well as state authorities.
It aims to produce methods
and calculation tools for fire risk
assessments.
Nine instrumented tests were
performed in a small building(100 m2) to study the influence ofthe fuel load on flame geometry
and, through experimentationand measurements, to validate
the model used to calculate themaximum distance reached by
the thermal effects of a fire. For
example, one of the tests conductedat the request of IRSN involved
plastic waste drums, similar
to those used for incineratablewaste from the nuclear industry.
Analysis of these tests and theresulting data will serve to validate
the calculations methods used, toachieve a more realistic assessmentof fire risks.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES43ACTIVITIESFire is one of the accidents that canlead to significant release of radioactivity from nuclear facilities.
Research is currently underway tobetter ascertain propagation phenomena and improve assessmentof any subsequent radioactive release. This work is also applicableoutside the nuclear sector.

Ensuring efficiency

Fire protection

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

SARNET
websiteIRSN experimental
data base

Users

Other experimental
data bases

Experimental
programs

Internet
CEA experimental
data baseSummary reports

Test
results

FzK experimental
data base

ASTEC
websitePhysical models

The SARNET Network of Excellence.

Severe accidents
Research on reactor core meltdown
aims to improve knowledge on thephenomena involved, so that therisks of environmental release ofradioactive materials can be ascertained more accurately. These studies contribute to improving safetymeasures taken to avoid accidents
or limit their consequences. They
also strengthen IRSN’s assessment
capabilities in an emergency response situation.

research involved corium behavior, containment, release, the ASTEC computer code,and probabilistic safety studies. In four anda half years of existence, SARNET involved
250 researchers from over 50 different European and Canadian institutions, financedby the European Commission on a budgetof €6 million.

The SARNET Network of Excellence, set up
as part of the 6th Framework Program of theEuropean Commission and supervised by IRSN,
was brought to an end in September 2008. Its
research focused on core meltdown accidents
in water reactors.

General opinion has found the experience to bea positive one. SARNET provided participants
with the opportunity to share and analyze awide range of experiment results collectively.
New members of the European Union werealso able to join this scientific community
specialized in severe accidents. SARNET helped
improve and promote the ASTEC severe accident computer code (co­developed by IRSN
and its German counterpart GRS) on an international scale. The network also achieved
a European consensus on the directions to betaken in research on core meltdown accidents
in the years to come.

Along with aspects relative to network management, sharing research results and dissemination of knowledge, the main lines ofAmong the highlights of 2008, a training session on core meltdown accidents was held in
Hungary, bringing together 50 participants and

SARNET: conclusions on
a network of excellence

44 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 200818 lecturers. Likewise, the third international
European Review Meeting on Severe Accident
Research (ERMSAR), which welcomed over
100 participants, was organized in Bulgaria,
providing the occasion to draw conclusions
on the major achievements of the SARNET
experience. Lastly, the success of the proposal
submitted for the 7 th Framework Programon fission research will allow the networkof excellence to pursue its efforts in the
SARNET 2 program. Coordinated by IRSN,SARNET 2 will run for four years, financed by
the European Community to the amount of€5.75 million.
www.sar-net.org
http://net-science.irsn.org

The growing success of
ASTEC
The SARNET Network of Excellence and safety
studies conducted by IRSN in France contributed substantially to the enhancement of
ASTEC. Designed to simulate core meltdown
accidents in water reactors, focusing mainly
on pressurized water reactors (PWRs), thisapplication was developed jointly by IRSNRoughly forty user licence agreements weresigned with partners from Europe, Canada,

The scope of application for ASTEC is gradually growing. The feasibility of incorporating two of the modules in the SESAME4
application, used by the Institute to advise
public authorities in an accident situation,
has been demonstrated. SARNET partners
have shown that Version V1 can already beapplied partially to boiling water reactors
and Canadian-design heavy water reactors(CANDU). Moreover, the South African manufacturer PBMR uses this same version to
study the release of radioactive substancesin the event of a severe accident affecting ahigh-temperature reactor (HTR).

Organization

China, India, and others. Three commercial
licences were granted, one within France(EDF) and two internationally (United Kingdom and South Africa).

The software is currently being adapted to
study accidents that could have an impact
on the ITER facility.
Summary and Outlook

and GRS. Applied to a wide range of accident
scenarios, the software has successfully demonstrated its ability to simulate both Western
PWRs and Russian VVERs. Work conducted toqualify this application, consisting of comparing its results against vast experimental dataobtained through various research programs,
such as the Phébus-PF international program,produced a very positive outcome.

More details

Study on iodine behavior
The CHIP program aims to determine the amount ofgaseous iodine that will reach the containment in a
nuclear pressurized water reactor in the event of a severe
accident.

ACTIVITIESThe CHIP-LP experimental line is designed to reproduce
the reactions that occur during iodine transport, from thetime it leaves the reactor core to the moment it arrives
in containment, and to quantify the fraction of volatile
iodine as a function of the elements present and ambientconditions (type of gas, residence time, temperature).
Priority is given to studying cesium, molybdenum, andboron.
The experimental facility consists of an open circuit inwhich reagents are injected at an absolute pressure of
approximately 2 bar. They are transported separately toa kiln heated to high temperature (1,500-1,600°C), where
they are mixed in the gaseous state. They then crossthrough a tube representing the reactor coolant system,
in which iodine can react with the other elements or withthe walls. The transport tube has two sampling lines: oneat high temperature (700 to 900°C), another at a lower
temperature (about 150°C), simulating the reactor coolant
system hot leg and cold leg, respectively.

CHIP-LP experiment line.

Ensuring efficiency

The sampling devices collect aerosol particulatescondensed on the filters and trapped volatile species,
which serve in further analyses.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES45

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

First test runs for ISTP
The International Source Term Program(ISTP) aims to reduce uncertainty relative
to the environmental release of radioactive
substances that could occur following a core
meltdown accident in a nuclear reactor. Using a test bench specially designed for thispurpose, the CHIP project within this programsets out to identify any chemical elementsthat could change the amounts of gaseousiodine entering the containment througha break in the reactor coolant system. The
chemical elements under study are representative of the degradation products fromfuel, control rods, and reactor structures. The
first tests were conducted in 2008, to qualify
the thermal-hydraulic behavior of the experimental facility.

Temperature-gradient oven in the CHIP experimental facility.

This work was performed in close cooperation
with CNRS laboratories, in particular in thecontext of doctorate theses on the identifica-

Openness to society
Analysis of the seismic resistance reportfor the Fessenheim nuclear power plantestablished by ResonanceIn October 2008, in a presentation to the Local Monitoring
Commission at Fessenheim in northeast France,
IRSN gave its analysis of a seismic resistance report on
the EDF plant, prepared in 2007 by the engineering firmResonance.
Commissioned by the Swiss cantons of Basel and Jura, thereport concluded that the seismic risk assessment retainedin 2002 in preparation for the third ten-year inspection of thepower plant was underestimated. This conclusion was basedon a critical analysis of the seismic risk assessment method
used in France.
In its presentation before the CLS, the Institute explained why
the choices made in 2002 were consistent with the state ofknowledge at that time, while pointing out that various recent
scientific breakthroughs could justify a revision of certain
assumptions, and that a joint working group formed by IRSN,EDF and the ASN was currently examining this issue. Analysisof the Resonance report conclusions emphasizes the relevanceof R&D performed by IRSN and speaks in favor of periodic
safety reviews to take into account new knowledge.

46 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Fessenheim nuclear power plant.

Earthquake: improving
knowledge on how
a terrestrial fault system
functions
The Middle Durance fault system is a complex system that links the region around Aixen-Provence to the Alps in Upper Provence,passing just a few kilometers away from thenuclear site at Cadarache in southern France.
It is the seat of moderate seismicity that regularly produces earthquakes, some of whichhave caused extensive damage (in 1509, 1708,
1812 and 1913). Several nuclear facilities arenonetheless located in this area.

Mid
dle

Du

ran

ce

fau
lt s
yst

em

44°0’N6°0’E

44°0’N5°30’E

43°30’N

43°30’N

Cadarache

Major earthquakes in history

N

Middle Durance fault system
20 km

Other faults
5°30’E

6°0’E

The Middle Durance fault and major earthquakes
in history.

To conduct this research program, the Institute relied on a seismological and geodesic
measuring system featuring 18 stations thatis unique in Europe for a region with moderate seismicity. The data collected made it
possible to accurately locate any recorded
microearthquakes. Research demonstrated
that current fault activity is located mainlyin the sedimentary cover, at a depth of 0 to
4 km.
Geodesic data clearly indicated that displacements along the fault are slow (approximately
0.1 mm/year). These results, associated withseveral geophysical and geological studies(analysis of seismic profiles provided by theoil industry and geological map publishers)
conducted by IRSN since the beginning of
the 1990’s, make it possible today to reconstruct the fault system structure and locate
its various segments in three dimensions. The
outcome of this work establishes a maximum
earthquake magnitude due to fault displacements at 6.3 to 6.5 on the Richter scale, basedon the size of these segments. The results
have been used to establish the earthquake
design criteria for nuclear facilities built in
the region.

Organization

Study of seismic hazards
for the Krško power plantsite

Summary and Outlook

Earthquakes, floods and heat waves
are naturally-occurring hazards
that IRSN studies in its research
and assessments to more accurately
ascertain the risks associated withthese hazards for safety in nuclear
facilities.

International

IRSN participated in field
investigations and a probabilistic
seismic hazard assessment as partof the project to build a second
train at the Krško nuclear power
plant site in Slovenia.
Consultancy services were
provided to the GEN-Energia
electricity generating group,in partnership with BRGM andSlovenian geological and civilengineering institutes.
The first phase consisted ofidentifying any faults that could
lead to a surface rupture in theevent of an earthquake. IRSN
participated in a geological survey
on a gash and helped interpretnew geophysical data that could
reveal the location of any such
faults. Another question involved
the possibility of local amplificationof seismic displacements dueto the characteristics of thesite’s geological environment.
A campaign to measure groundvibrations under the effect ofseismic displacements was initiatedin response to this question. The
results will serve to establish aseismic risk calculation model,
scheduled for 2009.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES47ACTIVITIESNaturally-occurring
hazards

In 2008, IRSN concluded nearly fifteen yearsof geological, seismological, and geodesic
research on this fault system. The objectivesof this research work involved both methods(validation of computer codes) and applications (determination of fault segmentation,
locating microearthquakes and determining their depth, evaluating the maximum
magnitude of earthquakes originating fromthe fault, etc.). This work was conducted incooperation with the University of Aix-Marseille, the University of Nice, CNRS, Collège
de France, CEA, and Geoter, an engineering
consultancy. A dozen international publications on this research have rewarded theresults obtained by IRSN, in addition to theadvances achieved.

Ensuring efficiency

tion and speciation of the formed aerosols andthe collection of basic data on the kinetics ofthe main reactions involved.

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

Characterization ofgeological environments
Working in Chili, in cooperation with the
University of Santiago, IRSN is studying thepossibility of using recordings of ambient
vibrations in the ground to identify specificland configurations that could amplify displacements caused by an earthquake and use
this information to obtain a more accurate
assessment of the local seismic risk. Results
published in 2008, based on a comparison
with damage observed following an earthquake that occurred in 1985, show that themethod reveals variability in callows. But it
is not enough to predict the amplifications
observed locally. A more detailed characterization of the geological environment appears
necessary.

Research outlet
Seismic risk regulations revised
As part of a review of regulations on earthquake resistance, the Minister for
Ecology, the ASN, BRGM and IRSN formed a joint working group to ensurethat rules applicable to conventional buildings, "special risk" facilities (whereconsequences may reach beyond the limits of the installation) and nuclear
facilities formed a coherent regulatory system, while seeking to identify any
problems that could occur in enforcement. IRSN contributed its knowledge onquestions concerning seismic hazards and facility vulnerability. The Institutepresented examples of how current or projected earthquake resistanceregulations could be applied to different types of facility located in the same area.
This required calculations to compare the reaction to ground displacementsthat would be obtained for a nuclear facility, a classified facility, or conventionalbuildings (firehouse, school, agricultural buildings, etc.).

Integrating naturallyoccuring hazards in PSAs

Setting up measuring equipment for characterization of the geological environment in Chili.

48 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

In 2008, the risk assessment working groupof the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear
Installations (CSNI) of the Nuclear Energy
Agency (NEA) presented its conclusions on
integrating naturally-occuring hazards, suchas earthquakes, in probabilistic safety assessments (PSA) for nuclear power plants in
Member States of the NEA. Finland, France,
Germany, the United States, and Taiwan participated in this working group, tasked withreviewing the methods used and results obtained, and studying development prospects.
IRSN was responsible for establishing the listof methods used.
To date, there are few PSAs that cover naturally-occurring hazards other than earthquakes.
Yet all NEA Member States would like to havecomplete PSAs that cover this type of event,and for new reactors they must be taken into
consideration systematically. The consequenceof CSNI’s work on this question was a recommendation for greater research activity on
the impact of climate change (contingencies,
consequences for facilities), and integration ofnaturally-occurring hazards in PSAs.
www.nea.fr

Summary and Outlook

Organization

About defense

The Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier.

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, from designand construction to operation and finally, dismantling. It also
involves any major transformations on these facilities brought
about by changes in their activity.

Design and construction
In 2008, IRSN examined the compliance files of the reactor andthe first core of the new-generation nuclear ballistic missile
submarine Le Terrible before the DSND sends the authorization
to conduct pre-commissioning tests to the General Delegation
for Armament.
IRSN also reviewed safety issues involving the following:• the future Areva NC reprocessing facility for solid radioactive
waste at Pierrelatte in southern France;• the future waste storage building for the CEA/DAM center at
Valduc in northeast France;

More details

Temporary authorization to operate
the nuclear submarine Le Terrible

ACTIVITIESIRSN carried out missions in this area as part ofa technical support agreement with the French
General Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection for Defense-related Activities andFacilities, an authority operating under the aegis
of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry for Industry.

• the future alpha waste packaging unit at the Marcoule site insouthern France;• facilities at the Ile Longue naval base on the northwest coast,such as the extension of the spent fuel pool for the onboard
nuclear steam supply system and overhaul of the waste treatment station;• outfitting of the Laser Megajoule experiment hall at the CEA/DAM CESTA center in southwest of France.

The reactor in the nuclear ballistic missile submarine
Le Terrible, the fourth and last of the series, diverged
for the first time on September 10, 2008. Before thisevent, the culmination of a long industrial process,
IRSN presented its assessment of the safety files
submitted by the General Delegation for Armament
before the Reactor Safety Commission, as part ofthe process required to obtain an authorization fromthe defense safety authority to proceed with the firstloading of the reactor core, and to initiate reactor
divergence.
Equipment design on Le Terrible is slightly different
from the three other submarines in this series,
in particular the main instrumentation and control
system for the reactor, which IRSN is still examining
for performance assessment purposes.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESEnsuring efficiency

Assessing the safety of military
nuclear systems, basic nuclear
installations and defense-relatedtransport49

Challenge

Ensuring high-level safety and radiation protection at existing facilities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 until
the end of their service life

More details

Waste management safety commission
meeting for the basic nuclear installation
at Marcoule

As for nuclear reactors, the Institute pursued its analysis of the firstscheduled downtime for maintenance and repairs of the aircraft
carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, focusing on the following aspects:• seismic behavior of the ship’s dock and associated port facilities
at Toulon in southern France;• refueling the ship’s two nuclear steam supply systems with new
nuclear fuel assemblies.
For land-based naval propulsion support facilities, IRSN analyzed:• docking at the port in Cherbourg and loading of nuclear fuel in
the nuclear submarine Le Terrible;• the general operating rules for the basic nuclear installation
Missiessy at the port of Toulon;• general operating rules for the Azur reactor, installed at the
Cadarache site in southern France, used to qualify new fuelassemblies designed for nuclear propulsion.

On March 12, 2008, this commission met at the requestof the defense nuclear safety authority, to examine
waste management at Marcoule. In this context, IRSN
analyzed the storage conditions and reprocessing
strategy for old waste, the conditioning processplanned for waste resulting from dismantling offacilities at the site, and the processing capacity of thewaste packaging shops and waste storage areas, given
the volume to be processed. This analysis revealed
that, in general, substantial improvements had beenachieved in waste management and in reducing
the risks of environmental release of radioactive
substances. Moreover, reprocessing of certain types
of waste, especially those where elimination channels
are available, is expected to accelerate.

At CEA Marcoule site, in 2008 the Institute examined the questionof whether or not to continue operation of the site’s liquid waste
treatment plant (assessment presented before the Laboratory and
Plant Safety Commission on February 7), waste management at thesite (assessment presented to the Safety and Waste Management
Commission on March 12, explained in "More details" opposite),
and, for the spent fuel monitoring facility, receiving and processing of spent fuel pins from PhÉnix and non-irradiated assemblies
from Superphénix.
The Institute also began the assessment of the Marcoule vitrification unit safety review file in 2008.
As part of the general follow-up of the facilities, IRSN examinedthe circumstances surrounding several incidents that occurredon nuclear installations at CEA/DAM Valduc as well as theactions taken. It also studied operating experience feedback from
CEA/DAM research centers (Valduc, Bruyères-le-Châtel, Cesta)
for the period covering 2004 to 2006.

Dismantling
Operation
As part of the safety improvement plan for the Valduc basic
nuclear installation (CEA/DAM) dedicated to tritium activities,
IRSN examined the safety of new equipment designed for isotope
separation.
In the same center, the Institute examined the safety baselineof the building, designed for criticality tests, to prepare for its
next safety review.
As regards the CEA/DAM center at Bruyères-le-Châtel in the Paris
region, IRSN examined the possible impact that the explosionof the boiler of the center would have on the nuclear facilities
located at this site.

50 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

For decommissioning and dismantling operations at the CEA UP1plant in Marcoule, IRSN:• examined disassembly of equipment used in the extraction cycles,
bitumen work around annular tanks and the safety baseline fordismantling operations;• continued or started reviewing files relative to decontaminationof tanks, equipment, and a ventilation duct, and removal ofstored ash and waste.
For this same center, the Institute examined the starting of
a waste conditioning unit in the decladding shop and acceptabilityof the safety baseline for the decladding shops and the
MAR 400 facility.

Radioactive materials transport
Several files were examined in this area in 2008, involving
applications for certification of transport provided on public
roadways, applications for transport authorizations for movements within sites, radiation protection programs for CEA/Cesta
and CEA Ripault, and rules for internal transport of radioactive
materials, particularly for the Areva site at Tricastin and the CEA
Marcoule site.
Cross-disciplinary issues were also studied including stowing packages, qualifying the system used to test neutron absorber efficiency,
and operating experience feedback from safety records involving
transport of packages containing radioactive materials.
IRSN was also involved in assessing component of nuclear weaponstransport files. In 2008 considerable work was accomplished inthis area on files dealing with safety options and qualification test
programs for certification of four new types of package.

Summary and Outlook

Organization

At the Areva NC plant in Pierrelatte, in 2008 IRSN continued its
review of dismantling operations in the URE plant and examinedsafety conditions during certain dismantling operations for equipment in the gaseous diffusion plants.

Storage of a spent fuel transport package assembly(packages are stored empty).

• four nationwide emergency exercises involving a defense-relatedtransport, the Ile Longue operational naval base, and the Valducand Marcoule sites, where IRSN was responsible for preparing
the scenarios and supervising the exercises;• two exercises organized by the French Navy involving a submarine nuclear steam supply system in the port of Toulon, and theaircraft carrier calling at the Ile Longue operational naval base.

ACTIVITIESThe port of Brest.

3

meetings
of defense safety technical commissions
to review IRSN reports (5 in 2007)

97

technical
advices submitted
to the defense safety authority (129 in 2007)

4

nationwide
emergency exercises involving
safety on defense-related facilities (3 in 2007)

Effluent release and water intake permits, on-site
emergency plans and exercises
Ensuring efficiency

In 2008 IRSN assessed the on-site emergency plans of several
establishments operating defense-related facilities. This involved
the operational part of the emergency plans at CEA Valduc andAreva’s Pierrelatte sites. IRSN also participated in five defenserelated emergency exercises:

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES

51

Challenge

1234567

Working today todevelop the knowledge
and resources required
to assess risks in the
nuclear facilities oftomorrow

Today’s research leading
to better assessments for
tomorrow
In 2008 IRSN directed some of its research efforts towards understanding the risks
associated with future reactor design concepts, such as sodium-cooled fast breeder reactors,
and geological repositories for radioactive waste. To gain access to a tool appropriate for
conducting research on accidents, especially severe accidents, the Institute expressed its wish
to join the Jules Horowitz Reactor consortium, which is building a research reactor at CEA
Cadarache in southeast France. By participating in this joint effort, the Institute would be able
to conduct the tests required to fulfil its mission in the study of reactor accident situations.
In parallel, IRSN performed new experiments at the Tournemire station near the Pyrenees toprepare for the safety assessment report on the project to build a geological repository forradioactive waste storage, which is due to be submitted by Andra in 2015.

Reactors
To prepare for safety assessmentson next-generation reactors, IRSN
is defining action to be taken (research programs, tool development,etc.) to adequately fulfil its mission
when the time comes.

Fourth Generation Reactors

State of knowledge on
sodium-cooled fast breeder
reactors
In 2006, the French government decided tobuild a fourth-generation prototype reactor
by 2020, aiming for industrial deployment
towards 2050. Among the different technologies considered, the sodium-cooled

In thewords of
Véronique
Rouyerfast breeder reactor (FBR) has been given
priority, since it is the most advanced interms of technical maturity, given operating experience from the Phénix andSuperphénix reactors (the latter shut
down in 1998).
For IRSN, this implies getting ready to define the safety options to be chosen forthe prototype by 2012 and preparing forsafety assessments, based on previous work.
IRSN will turn to the substantial R&D work
conducted on sodium-cooled FBR safety
from 1970 to 2001 by IPSN, the precursor
to IRSN, within vast international collaborative projects.
In 2008, working with CEA, the Institutetook inventory on the state of knowledge

and calculation tools relative to core meltdown accidents and sodium-related risks.
Two summary reports were established.
With regards to the core meltdown accidents considered (uncontrolled rod withdrawal, complete and instantaneous plugging of an assembly, pump shutdown withno rod drop), the summary report summarizes knowledge acquired from experimental facilities such as Cabri or Scarabée,and describes the main calculation tools
developed for accident simulation. As
for sodium-related risks, the report hasgathered available information on sodium
fires, the behavior of the aerosols produced,
interaction between sodium and concrete,
detection and monitoring of sodium

Created in 2008 by IRSN, the Neutron Research Cluster is the answer to those wishing to unite
the Institute’s skills in an area involving the fundamentals of nuclear reactor operation and safety
as well as the nuclear fuel cycle. The purpose is to develop fundamental knowledge and conduct R&D
research to prepare for assessments on the reactors and fuel processing facilities of the future,in both normal operation and accident situations. Future designs requiring IRSN technical assessment
in terms of robustness and demonstrated safety, as they are perceived today, are more complex anddiversified. Studies will require tools to process a wide range of diversified variables. This crossdisciplinary project covers two aspects: one involving fundamental data and computation tools,
and the other the impact of uncertainty on systems with a large number of parameters.

Head of IRSN’s
Neutron Research
Cluster

52 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

The Jules Horowitz Reactor:
a future instrument to serve
nuclear safety research
The Jules Horowitz experimental reactor, which CEA has started to build at its
Cadarache site, is expected to be ready for
operation in 2015 to study the safety ofcurrent and future nuclear reactors.
Along with the Cabri experimental reactor,
it will be used to study the behavior of new
nuclear fuels in accident situations, andto test various materials subject to highthermal or mechanical stress, or substantial
doses of neutron radiation.
In 2008, IRSN examined how this reactor
could serve to acquire knowledge on water
reactor safety. This study confirmed that theJules Horowitz Reactor would be capable ofrunning certain tests initially planned for
the Phébus experimental reactor to study
core meltdown (severe accidents).
It also covered experimentation relative toTransfer pool in the Cabri reactor area.

Organization
Hamid AïtAbderrahim
Director of theInstitute ofAdvanced Nuclear
Systems at SCK-CEN
in Belgium andcoordinator of the
SNETP strategic
agendaWithin this group, the TSOs completely fulfilled theirrole as independent technical specialists. They also
helped match desires on one side, and obligations on
the other, coming up with a structured research programthat takes into account inevitable priorities such as legal
obligations or the increasing service life of nuclear
power plants.
Within TSOs, IRSN took responsibility for the nuclear
safety workgroup. Its expertise and the size of theFrench nuclear power plant fleet made it an essential
stakeholder in any reflection involving nuclear energy
in Europe. The Institute also contributed to promoting
the innovative idea of sharing sources of future researchfunding, by clearly identifying safety research work that
addresses the public’s concerns, which must be financed
through State funds.

www.snetp.eu

loss-of-coolant accidents on pressurizedwater reactors. It now appears certain that
it would be possible to conduct experimentsof this type in a simplified configuration (asingle fuel rod or an assembly with just a fewrods), while additional work is still required

to examine the feasibility of testing with alarger number of assemblies. To date, conclusions are still positive enough for IRSN
to work with CEA to define the contractualand technical conditions in which it could
use this tool in the coming years.

Illustration of the future Jules Horowitz Reactor.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Experimental reactors andreactors for experimentation

Summary and Outlook

In thewords of

Successful preparation, in 2008, of the strategic agenda
for research on the Sustainable Nuclear Energy
Technology Platform was made possible by true andsincere efforts of an entire community, who saw what
was to be gained in this project. This work mobilized
over 160 scientists and engineers from 60 organizations– safety authorities, research institutions, TSOs, industry,
and universities.

Ensuring efficiency

leakage, and reactions between sodium
and water. The report provides an accurate
picture of current knowledge, pointing out
those questions that remain unanswered.
They will help orient future R&D work to be
conducted by IRSN, for safety assessments
on sodium-cooled FBRs.

53

Challenge

1 23 4567

Working today to develop the knowledge and resources required
to assess risks in the nuclear facilities of tomorrow

Geological repositories
for radioactive waste
To prepare for assessment of Andra’s project involving a geologicalradioactive waste repository, theInstitute is conducting research
work to gain the knowledge necessary to establish a substantiatedassessment in this area.

Research on the safety ofstoring radioactive waste ina deep geological formation
The safety of radioactive waste storage in a
deep geological formation is a field that justifies significant efforts to expand knowledge
at IRSN. Research and numerical modelingconducted by the Institute aims to develop
a better understanding of phenomena thatare only partially explained by current scientific knowledge, and to confirm the values
given in data submitted by Andra. This work
must approach certain complex phenomena
from a perspective that is different from thedesigner’s viewpoint. For example, activity
released by the repository into water-bearing
formations is checked using the Melodie
software application developed by IRSN.
Studies requiring experimentation are being
conducted at the IRSN Tournemire stationnear Roquefort (in Aveyron), covering various
subjects: the recognition and characterizationof argillaceous rock to validate certain data
important for repository safety; interaction
between the different materials that makeIn thewords of
Hubert
FlocartDirector of the
PACEN programat CNRSThe Melodie software application developed by IRSN is used to model radionuclide transfers.

up the repository; and the most importantparameters required to control the efficiency
of processes used to seal cavities bored in
the rock.
The meeting of the Atomic Energy Committee held on November 5, 2008 emphasized
the importance of concluding these research
programs within the deadlines scheduled byAndra for commissioning of the geologicalrepository.

Tournemire experimental
stationExcavation of 170 meters of new galleries
was completed at the Tournemire station
in southwest France in June 2008. The newgalleries will provide IRSN with the spacerequired to pursue its research and begin anexperimental program to assess the longterm safety of the technology designed toseal the disposal cells containing radioactive
waste. The program aims to test various typesof plugs to determine their effectiveness andstrength over time, and to prepare for assessment of the project that will be presented

In 2008, cooperation between IRSN and CNRS on radionuclide transfers led to the creation ofa national research group covering soil, subsoil and ecosystems (TRASSE), planned to last four years.
This project is part of a broader interdisciplinary program called PACEN, focusing on the downstream
part of the nuclear energy cycle. The purpose of TRASSE is to stimulate research initiatives byorganizing requests for projects every year, in areas involving radionuclide transfers that are notsufficiently covered by academics, starting with surface transfers and hydrogeology. CNRS and IRSN
have a mutual desire to share their respective skills and search for complementarity. TRASSE offers
research teams a chance to work at two exceptional experimental sites: the Tournemire station near
Roquefort in Aveyron and the T 22 waste trench at Chernobyl in Ukraine. The T 22 trench provides
a unique opportunity to study the transfer of radioactive contamination to the biosphere andthe environment in general.

54 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Organization
Summary and Outlook
Tournemire experimental station: a space dedicated to IRSN research.

A "thermal-osmosis" experiment has been set
up to explain the origin of abnormally highhydraulic pressures observed at the center of
certain clay formations (the IRSN Tournemire
experimental station, Andra’s undergroundlaboratory at the Bure site, and the SwissMont Terri laboratory). Conducted for the
first time in situ, the experiment consists of
causing a water transfer in the argillite underthe effect of a thermal gradient. The goal is
to determine whether this type of transfer
may be the cause of the abnormal pressure
values observed.

Openness to society

ACTIVITIESTournemire opens its doors to the public

On September 28, 2008, the Tournemire experimental station organized its second“open-house”. Organized for elected officials, the local press, and the publicat large, the purpose of this event was to explain to visitors the research work
conducted by the Institute at the site, in answer to the public’s questions on thissubject, and to calm concerns regarding the construction of waste repositories.
Over 500 people responded to the Institute’s invitation, giving them a better
understanding of the reasons behind the research conducted on the high-level,
long-lived waste repository in a deep geological formation.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES

55

Ensuring efficiency

by Andra in 2015, the date set by the legislative act of June 28, 2006.
The station was also extended to continue
studies on damage caused by excavation
work in argillaceous rock. An ascending borehole drilled in 2008 from the roof of thetunnel towards the surface crosses throughall the upper levels of the clay formation.
Continuous measurements and analysis ofrock samples taken during excavation will be
used to trace the origin and history of watercontained in the various clays.

Challenge 1

234567

Monitoring worker
and public exposure toionizing radiation andmeasuring radioactivity
nationwide

Protecting people andthe environment fromionizing radiation
With ionizing radiation being found in such wide-ranging applications as power generation,
welding inspection and nuclear medecine, radiation protection for workers and the public
is an essential aspect of IRSN’s activity. In 2008, the Institute therefore focused significant
efforts on upgrading the instruments used to measure worker exposure in order to improvemonitoring results. It also updated its strategy on environmental monitoring, along withthe associated equipment, as well as methods used to measure contamination after an
accident. In other studies, the Institute furthered its knowledge on the behavior of radioactive
substances in the environment and their transfer mechanisms. It also took the necessaryorganizational measures to respond to issues raised by local populations concerning thequality of their environment.

Environmental
exposure
IRSN ensures widespread monitoring of the public’s exposure to ionizing radiation. In 2008, measures
were taken to upgrade the monitoring system.

Optimizing environmental
monitoring

resentation of atmospheric dispersion basedon the number of monitors and their location.
The method showed that within France, thequality of the network’s response improvesas the number of stations increases, up to a"ceiling" of 70 stations.
The third step will consist of evaluating the
network’s response capability for accidents
that may occur in foreign countries. Monitors

The effectiveness of the nationwide monitoring system depends on having the rightnumber of automatic aerosol monitors in theright places. This was achieved in a three-step
approach.

will be deployed gradually in the coming years,
with priority given to achieving good response
capability in the first year.
In this context, a new generation of radioactive aerosol monitors for sampling and measurements is currently under development toimprove detection and characterization ofwidespread accidental atmospheric contamination.

Lille
Beaumont
La Hague
Paris
Strasbourg

Brest

The first step, accomplished in 2007, consistedof establishing a database of potential accidents that could occur on a nuclear reactor.
Studies were conducted to simulate large-scaleatmospheric dispersion of fallout subsequent
to this type of accident, considering each EDF
power plant site, and all the different types of
meteorological conditions that could possibly
occur within a year.
The second step, completed in 2008, consistedof determining the optimum number of monitors and the best locations. With this in mind,
IRSN developed a method to evaluate the
network’s ability to produce an accurate rep-

56 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Tours

BourgesTéléray stations(gamma radiation monitoring)

Sara stations(aerosol monitoring)

Lyon

Biarritz

Nice

Toulouse
Montpellier

Atmospheric radioactivity remote monitoring networks currently in service that will be upgradedin the coming years.

Data transmission(RNM exchange protocol)

Data checked and recordedin database

Organization

National
network

Data producers

Response sent todata producers

In 2008 the French Directorate General on
Food Safety (DGAL) appointed IRSN as thenational benchmark laboratory for measuring
radionuclides in foodstuffs. Since then, theInstitute has taken over the mission previously entrusted to the French agency for safe
food consumption (AFSSA), co-financed by
the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministryfor Health.

Delivery of the data collection tool was animportant step, which required opening a test
platform for the various providers of environmental data. In parallel, the steps required prior
to opening the data production platform wereaccomplished, so that data could start be­ing
collected at the beginning of 2009.
At the same time, the Institute continued
its dialogue with the two local informationcommittees in the Loire watershed region todetermine the best way to render information

As the national benchmark laboratory, theInstitute will supervise the network of laboratories certified by the DGAL by validating
their measuring methods, organizing interlaboratory aptitude tests, and training theirstaff. IRSN will respond to any requests forscientific and technical assessments requestedby the two supervisory ministries.
In June 2008, IRSN organized a seminar withthe laboratories belonging to the network
to conduct the first interlaboratory exercise
consisting of determining the cesium-137 andcobalt-60 content in milk.

National network ofenvironmental radioactivity
measurements
As the contracting authority for the development and technical management of thenational network of environmental radioactivity measurements, IRSN supervised designof the network’s information system and its
Internet site in 2008. The website will display
environmental radioactivity measurement
results produced by the various certified organizations.

In thewords ofJean-Marc
Bournigal
Director General in
charge of the Food
Industry, Ministry ofAgriculture

on environmental radioactivity. This approachprovided food for thought on how to organize
information on the future Internet site.

191

monitors
in the national remote monitoring network(191 in 2007)

Summary and Outlook

Measuring radionuclides
in foodstuffs

Receiving samples before analysis.

600

sampling
points
throughout the country (600 in 2007)

Cooperation with IRSN in 2008 covered, first of all,establishing the function of national benchmark
laboratory for radionuclide measurements. Until then,this mission has been carried out by the French agency
for Food Safety, AFSSA, who wished to discontinue
this mission. The agency wished to focus its analyticalactivity on other specializations, since the resources
required to keep skills up to date in the field ofradionuclides were excessive. It is essential for our
ministry to be able to refer to a national benchmark
laboratory. This implies developing, optimizing, andvalidating analysis methods, as well as supervising
the national network of certified laboratories. IRSN
organized the first interlaboratory comparison exercise
for this purpose. The national benchmark laboratory
also conducts test analyses and engages a scientific andtechnology watch for the DGAL. This is what led us to
consult the Institute in July concerning the irrigationof small commercial farms in the vicinity of the Socatri
plant in southern France. The scientific and technicalsupport provided by IRSN also includes restructuring
the radionuclide monitoring plan, established in 1987,toachieve greater efficiency.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Procedure followed by the national network of environmental radioactivity
measurements (RNM).

Ensuring efficiency

Data presented to public
and specialists

57

Challenge 1

234567

Monitoring worker and public exposure to ionizing radiationand measuring radioactivity nationwide

Studies on site
environments
In response to requests from industry and government agencies, IRSN
conducts studies on the impact ofindustrial activities on the environment and population.

State of knowledge on
tritium
With associations denouncing a possible
tendancy for tritium to accumulate in livingorganisms, and consequently an underestimation of its effects on human health, IRSN
has initiated work to determine the state ofknowledge on tritium behavior in the environment.

Radiological surface mapping at the Ile Saint-Denis site.

Openness to society
Comrisk
IRSN has confronted the difficulty of establishing dialogue with a population
concerned by radioactive contamination in tasks where it conducts risk
assessments on contaminated sites, such as the Marie Curie School in Nogentsur-Marne in the Paris region. Other institutions in charge of managing sites
chemically contaminated by past industrial activities are also confronted withthese difficulties. The Comrisk study was conducted by Ineris and IRSN, at
the request of the French agency for energy control, Ademe. Its purpose
was to collect the results of research work and feedback on the involvementof populations in contamination situations and then propose an appropriate
management approach.
The study was conducted in cooperation with a multidisciplinary follow-up
committee consisting of professionals and citizen associations. Since May 2008,
the study documents have been made available to all persons involved, i.e. those
who are in contact with contaminated locations, government agencies, andother services interested in opening up dialogue with communities touched bycontamination.
The results can easily be applied to any contaminated site and demonstratethat by providing a better response to stakeholders, site managers can be morethorough in their action, thereby improving the quality of site management.

www.comrisk.fr

58 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Tritium comes from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and is one of the radionuclides the most frequently released from
nuclear facilities and found in the environment. A hydrogen isotope, it follows the water cycle, thereby finding its way into livingorganisms.
The analysis in progress features several
phases. The first consists of describing tritium
behavior in the environment, based on themechanisms involved in the water cycle andmeasurements taken regularly to determine
concentration. The second phase involves finding out what is known about the effects of thisradionuclide on animal and vegetable species.
IRSN will then consolidate the current stateof knowledge and identify any gaps. It willpropose research actions to achieve a better
understanding of the behavior and impact oftritium on humans and the environment.

Managing industrialsites contaminated byradionuclides
The Ministry for Ecology and the ASN asked
IRSN to revise the guidebook on “Managing
industrial sites that may be contaminated byradioactive substances”, issued in 2001. The
purpose is to incorporate changes made by
the Ministry in February 2007 with regards to
the general approach to characterization andmanagement of contaminated sites.

Organization

More details

The purpose is to collect data on hydrological, climatic, chemical, and radioactivity
parameters common to the various sites selected in the five Polynesian archipelagoes.
At Tahiti IRSN is gradually reorienting its radioactivity monitoring strategy bychanging the target of its monitoring network from human health to the environment.

The new version will be published at the beginning of 2010.
Work on the guidebook began in the fall of
2008, by setting up a working group composedof experts from the Institute, specialized in the
study of soil pollution and radiological impact
studies, as well as representatives of the ASN,
the French Directorate General for Risk Prevention, the Ministry for Ecology, and Ineris.
The first step consisted of collecting feedbackon the current guidebook from various users
in the relevant organizations.

In this respect IRSN gained considerable
experience from working at polluted sites,
particularly those contaminated throughindustrial use of radionuclides – especially
radium 226 – during the first half of the20th century. In the last 20 years, the State andindustry have begun remediation operations
at these sites.
The Institute conducted work at six of thesesites in 2008. At one site, this work involved
creating a "green district" in Ile Saint-Denisin the Paris region, where a radium extraction
plant once stood. The Ministry for Ecology
asked IRSN to conduct a radiological characterization campaign on this site, coveringroughly 10 hectares, to determine whether
it was compatible with the land development project in view and adapt it as necessary. IRSN’s support was also requested by
the Haute-Normandie public authority incharge of land development for the "Friche
Bayard" project at Saint-Nicolas-d’Aliermont
on the northern coast of France. This former
clock factory site was partially rehabilitatedin the 1990’s, when over 800 m3 of earth wasremoved to comply with cleanup requirements set at that time by the Ministry for
Health. Implementation of new regulations
has led IRSN to propose additional measures
to prepare the site for reconversion to anamusement park.

ACTIVITIESIn 2008, IRSN helped create a pollution observatory for Polynesian lagoons, inpartnership with locally established national research institutes, i.e. Ifremer, CNRS
and the French Directorate for the Environment. The vulnerability of the lagoon
ecosystems, Unesco’s classification of certain atolls as biosphere reserves (Fakarava
in 2006), and their designation as World Heritage sites all pointed to the need forthis observatory.

Summary and Outlook

Pollution observatory created for
Polynesian lagoons

27,600environement
samplestaken per year (31,000 in 2007)

3

Ensuring efficiency

exceptional
radiological events
detected by radioactivity monitoring
networks (4 in 2007)

Setting up samples in the measuring system.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES59

Challenge 1

234567

Monitoring worker and public exposure to ionizing radiationand measuring radioactivity nationwide

Transfer and behaviorof radioactive
substances inthe environment
IRSN is working to improve models on the transfer of radioactive
substances in the environment by
developing two major lines of action: validation of models designed
to quantify radionuclide behavior
within ecosystems; and justifying
the transfer parameter values usedin these models.

International
First international conference on radioecology
Co-organized by IRSN and its Norwegian counterpart NRPA, the international
conference on Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity took placefrom June 16 to 20, 2008 in Bergen, Norway. A merger of two radioecology
events, this three-yearly international conference brought together
500 representatives from research, industry, associations, and public authorities.
The subjects covered included environmental monitoring activities, transferof radioactivity to biological organisms, and the effects of chronic andaccidental contamination. Discussions touched on laboratory experiments
and the developent of practical methods and calculation tools applicable to

Carbon-14 transfers in
the environment

monitoring an environment exposed to regulated release or accident fallout

Carbon-14, like tritium, is a radionuclide thathas the particular feature of being foundin every compartment of the environment
chain, which explains why the study of 14C
transfer within ecosystems is of major interest. IRSN has created an in situ experimentworkshop, located downwind from the Areva
NC plant at La Hague, designed to validate
the relevant transfer models. In 2008 thisworkshop monitored radionuclide flux as it
migrated between the different elements ofa prairie (air, rainwater, grass, soil), according
to weather conditions and prairie farming
practices. Comparison of the first measurement results against estimated carbon-14
concentrations showed that the model usedas such underestimated carbon-14 concentrations in grass by about 15%. For carbon-14
concentrations in the air, the model is being
improved to achieve a better representationof the change dynamics in time. Transfers toon the effects of persistent, low-level, radioactive contamination in ecosystems.

In thewords ofJean-Christophe
GarielDeputy Director ofEnvironment andResponse at IRSN

involving significant amounts of contamination. Participants also focused

mammals (in this case cows), as a functionof diet will be studied at a later time, alongwith tritium transfers.

updating was completed at the beginningof 2008. The final version submitted to the
IAEA at the end of 2008 should be publishedin 2009.

Radionuclide transfers inthe biosphere
The year 2008 saw the end of the IAEA’s EMRAS working group (Environmental Modelingfor Radiation Safety), coordinated by IRSN
for four years. The purpose of this group was
to update the international handbook of parameter values for the prediction of radionuclide transfer in temperate environments(TRS 364).
After compiling a bibliography, consulting
data bases, and drafting the different chapters,

Initiated in October 2006 and supervised by IRSN, the coordinated European action FuturaE(a future for radioecology in Europe) presented its conclusions in October 2008. The purpose of
Futurae was to study the feasibility of a European network of excellence in radioecology research.
At the end of this reflection, it appears not only feasible, but essential to create a network of thistype. The radioecology community will soon be confronted with several major challenges: keeping
European competence in radioecology up to grade; preparing response capability for the expected
growth in nuclear energy and the issues raised by new facilities such as ITER, as well as questions
on waste... That is why, at the end of 2008, IRSN took the initiative of creating a group uniting severalof the main European stakeholders in radioecology, so that, under the best possible conditions, they
could prepare a response to the Request For Proposals to create a network, which should be issued at
the end of 2009.

60 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Organization

155,494

workers
whose individual dosimetry is monitored by
IRSN (164,732 in 2007)

19,993radiotoxicological
analyses (19,319 in 2007)

254

Summary and Outlook

whole-bodycountings
(225 in 2007)

The new photon-beta-neutron dosimeter distributed by IRSN.

In thewords of
Isabelle Vabre

Monitoring worker
dosimetry
IRSN processes the largest number of dosimetry files in Europe on workers exposed toionizing radiation, with over 155,000 workers in various sectors of activity, including
healthcare, research and industry.
Since the beginning of 2008, the Institutehas been distributing an enhanced-performance dosimeter to replace the previous “film-based” one. Based on radio-photoluminescence (RPL), the new dosimeteris capable of measuring very low doses orvery high doses with great accuracy, for both
personal and environmental monitoring.
It provides accurate information on the typeof radiation involved in any accident situation.

Head of Dosimetry
Department at
the Orsay Nuclear
Physics Institute,
CNRS

The dosimetry department, as a technical service of
CNRS, monitors external exposure to ionizing radiation
using passive dosimetry. We keep files on 3,000 people,
including CNRS staff members and close scientificpartners. Up until now, we used radiographic film forphoton and beta dosimetry, which represents 80% of
our activity.

ACTIVITIESFor workers exposed to radiationon the job, IRSN conducts researchand proposes tools designed to improve knowledge of occupational
exposure to ionizing radiation for
better control of this risk.

This technique has become obsolescent and no longer
meets the latest regulatory requirements. Its detection
threshold is too high for dosimeters worn for threemonths. To replace it, we surveyed the various
techniques used by other organizations who perform
dosimetry in France.
We then put out a request for proposals in which thetechnical criteria consisted of meeting the performancerequirements specified by French regulations andidentifiying the technology that most closely matched
our needs. We wanted the most fully integrated andautomated system possible, for greater flexibility in use,
capable of interfacing with our current data base.
We chose the RPL technology, recently adopted by IRSN,
which demonstrated the best technical and functional
characteristics. This choice provided us with better
performance and reduced operating time.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESEnsuring efficiency

Radiation protection in
the workplace

61

Challenge 1

234567

Monitoring worker and public exposure to ionizing radiationand measuring radioactivity nationwide

Promoting a nuclear culture based on radiation protection in healthcare is a major priority for the Institute.

Operation of this new dosimeter required
setting up a laboratory equipped with sophisticated automation. At the end of 2008,
over 180,000 RPL dosimeters were sent out
to various customers.
They were manufactured using the new
Dosip computer application, released in
September 2008 after five years of designand development.
The year 2008 also saw the completion ofwork conducted by the Institute to improve
performance on its neutron dosimeter. This
new, more sensitive device features functions
that are convenient for assessments, offering
greater accuracy on the type of exposure. It
is also well adapted to the various neutron
spectra that workers may be exposed to.
www.irsn.org/dosimetre

Siseri consolidates its
potential
Since 2005, the Siseri database has centralized and archived all the results on individual
monitoring of worker exposure to ionizing
radiation in France, in compliance with themission assigned to the Institute by the Labor
Code. Occupational physicians and radiation

62 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

protection officers can access this information
through the IRSN website. Operational development of Siseri made considerable progressin 2008. IRSN boosted the resources allocatedto this application to solve integration problems related to the poor quality of certain
data sent in. This effort allowed the Instituteto achieve an integration rate greater than
95% for passive dosimetry data and complete
integration of operational dosimetry data. The
data transfer protocol for monitoring internal
contamination was also established. Meanwhile, the Institute has continued recording
old data in order to compile the complete
dosimetry history of each worker that has
been exposed to radiation in France.

Studying workplacesin the medical field
Given the growing demand for personnel toassist radiation protection officers in industry
and the medical field, in 2008 IRSN developed
consultancy services to study workplaces. This
service is based on the know-how developedby the Institute over the years and is consistent with its mission to promote a nuclear culture based on radiation protectionin the healthcare sector. An example of theInstitute’s work can be found at the Roanne
Hospital Center in the radiology service andradiotherapy service, which operates particle
accelerators. Workplace studies define radiological zones and classify personnel functions
to determine which types of operational andpassive dosimeters are the most appropriate
for monitoring each staff member.

Raised exposure to“naturally-occurring”
radiation
Certain industrial activities such as the production of refractory ceramics, the combustion of coal in thermal power plants
or the processing of ores (to produce tin,aluminum, etc.) involve the use of raw ma-

1,428,178

personal
dosimeterswere read to monitor worker dosimetry(1,491,118 in 2007)

214

peopleparticipatedin intercomparison exercises(143 in 2007)

of doses received by workers in coal-fired
thermal power plants. The year 2008 was also
dedicated to analyzing data presented in thenearly 80 files submitted by industry: 88% of
the doses calculated for workers and 100% of
the doses calculated for the population wereless than the reference value of 1 mSv-1 per
year, the limit for public exposure.

Organization

properties of these materials. To address thisissue, IRSN published a document in 2008
for professionals responsible for conducting
impact studies required by regulations. The
Institute also established assessment criteria
to facilitate examination of these studies by
the territorial divisions of the ASN (the Frenchnational safety authority). An in-depth analysis was conducted by IRSN on the assessment

Summary and Outlook

aluminum, etc.) involve the use of raw materials that naturally contain radionuclides.
These operations may significantly increase
exposure of workers or the local population.
This type of exposure is regulated by the Order of May 25, 2005 relative to occupations
working with raw materials that naturally
contain radionuclides, but where the process
does not involve exploiting the radioactive

Research outlet
AMANDE
Open to outside users since 2007, IRSN’s Amande facility ran
24 weeks of irradiation operations to satisfy various needs:> five weeks for external service contracts, half of which involved
work conducted in cooperation with CNRS, the other half forcompanies that manufacture radiation protection devices;> ten weeks for calibration of IRSN detectors, including the new
PN3 personal neutron dosimeters, as well as cell irradiation forexperiments in radiobiology;

The Amande facility.

Ensuring efficiency

The Amande facility generates monokinetic neutron fields thatserve as the national metrological standards for neutron dosimetry,established jointly by IRSN and the French national laboratory for
metrology and testing, the LNE. In addition to setting standards,
the Amande facility can now be used to calibrate or test detector
response as a function of neutron energy.

ACTIVITIES> nine weeks for IRSN’s own R&D studies.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES63

Challenge 1 234567

preventING
proliferation of
nuclear, biological, andchemical weapons andcontrolLING nuclear
and radiologicalsecurity in the face ofterrorism

Staying alert to prevent
malicious use of nuclear
energy and radioactivity
In addition to providing round-the-clock security control at nuclear facilities, 2008 was marked
by the transfer of responsibility for nuclear security from the Ministry of Industry to the
Ministry of Energy. IRSN assisted the two senior defense and security officials from these two
ministries during this transfer.

• computerized systems involved in access
control;• nuclear materials monitoring systems;• management of protection system inhibition.
Inspections covered checking compliancewith technical instructions and ensuring that
equipment meets the desired objectives, taking into consideration plant layout (distance
between buildings, location of the central
alarm station, surface area of the zone to bemonitored, etc.).

Nuclear material followup and accountability:
assessment and inspection
activities
Maritime transport of nuclear materials.

Protection andcontrol of nuclear andsensitive materials
Physical protection of
nuclear materials
In 2008, at the request of the authority incharge of nuclear material control, IRSN examined about 150 files on the physical protectionof facilities and nuclear materials, as well as
nuclear material transport.
Experts from the Institute officially appointed
as "nuclear materials inspectors" are mandated by the Senior Defense and Security
Official of the Ministry of Industry to con-

64 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

duct inspections at facilities holding nuclear
materials, at the Official’s request. Nuclear
materials inspectors conducted 55 facilities
inspections in 2008, two of these being initiated in response to particular events, as well
as 60 inspections during transport operations
and 18 inspections on transport equipment(Categories I and II).
Certain on-site physical protection systems
are connected to computerized systems thatparticipate in video surveillance, remote control of protection systems and alarm acknowledgement and analysis.
In this context, inspections carried out in 2008
focused particularly on:

In 2008 IRSN carried out 168 files analyses
and 121 analyses of nuclear material inventory reports, at the request of the authority
in charge of nuclear material control.
IRSN specialists, designated by the Senior Defense and Security Official as nuclear materials
inspectors, also conducted 63 inspections on
nuclear material follow-up and accountability
in 2008. Some of these inspections included
specific examination of the accountability ofthese materials and the associated measuring devices.
Efforts made during the last few years to15

technical
inspections conducted
in facilities under the “declaration regime”(10 in 2007)

Summary and Outlook

Organization

Taking nuclear material
inventory in an
emergency situation
At the request of public authorities, IRSN
regularly organizes emergency response exercises that involve taking nuclear material
inventory at a facility. The purpose of these
exercises is to test decision-making chainsMore details

Training Areva personnel in nuclear material control
The need to train personnel in the quite specific area of nuclear material control
was identified at Areva, who asked IRSN to organize a customized training
program for the corporation’s operators. This program involved nuclear material
accountability and covered the regulatory framework, stakeholders involved,
principles, and technical procedures.
Training dealt with international inspections, conducted in France by theEuropean Commission and the IAEA, and national inspections recently placed
under the authority of the Ministry of Energy.
After the first test session in December 2007, three sessions were conducted in
2008, with 15 participants taking part in each one. Feedback based on immediate
reactions at the end of training has been positive, and three more sessions
have been scheduled for 2009. Discussions are underway to widen the range oftraining classes to cover more technical aspects for more specialized employees.

and coordination of the various participants(operators, public authorities). They consistof taking a nuclear material inventory at one
or more facilities within the space of a few
hours to confirm or rule out the existence ofany malicious acts (theft or misuse of nuclear
materials or acts of sabotage).
In 2008 this exercise was conducted at the
Areva NC plant at Pierrelatte in southern
France. The exercise scenario, prepared by IRSN
in conjunction with the operator, simulated
a blackmail attempt threatening radioactive
contamination. The emergency response
teams at the Ministry of Industry, Areva and
IRSN were all activated. The exercise took placeover approximately eight hours and involved
over thirty people.
Fourteen exercises of this type, held annually,
have already taken place. They have been used
to test emergency response procedures applicable at major French nuclear sites.

196

inspection missions
relative to national nuclear material control(171 in 2007)

1

exerciseon nuclear material inventoryin an emergency situation (1 in 2007)

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES65ACTIVITIES

improve the content of licensing and control
files were pursued in 2008. These documents
are now operational and are used during
inspections.
IRSN also conducted 15 technical inspections in facilities holding small amounts ofnuclear materials that are under the so called“declaration regime”.

Development of assessment tools for physical protection of facilities.

Ensuring efficiency

Exercise in taking nuclear material inventory in an emergency situation.

Challenge 1 234567

preventING proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weaponsand controlLING nuclear and radiological security in the face of terrorism

International
Establishing thequalification profile
for IAEA inspectors
As part of the French support
program to the IAEA, IRSN has
initiated action to establish the
behavioral profile required forinspectors in charge of nuclear
material inspections. The purpose
is to improve the recruiting
and training strategy for these
inspectors.
The Institute’s proposal, basedon a method developed for skills
management, is receiving serious
consideration due to the Institute’s
experience and the fact that themethod can be easily adapted tosuit the needs of the IAEA.
The selected approach consists ofdrawing on knowledge from both
nuclear material control and humanresource development and using
these skills in a complementaryway.
This project is taking on
considerable importance as the
IAEA seeks to replace the moreexperienced inspectors who areleaving, while the Additional
Protocol extends the scope of theiractivity and changes the required
skills profile.
This activity also gives IRSN the
opportunity to approach an areathat is not yet covered in the French
Safeguard Support Program.

10

missions
to escort
inspections involving the chemical weaponsban (4 in 2007)45

missions
to escort
inspections involving international nuclear
material control (43 in 2007)

66 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Samples for the Euratom control.

International
inspections in a nonproliferation context
In 2008, IRSN continued to provide
technical support to authorities, in acontext where control organizations(OPCW, Euratom and the IAEA) are
increasing their inspection efforts
in French chemical and nuclear industrial facilities.
www.irsn.org/non-proliferation

International inspections ofchemical facilities
In 2008, IRSN escorted 10 inspections conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at Frenchindustrial sites, compared to six conducted
on an average basis in previous years. During
one of these missions, samples were taken
and chemical analyses were then carried out
in the Institute’s mobile laboratory.
IRSN also participated in interministerial
working groups on challenge inspections, toprepare for any very intrusive inspection resulting from a call of defiance issued by a State.
Based on its experience of routine inspections,the Institute has proposed documents andmethods that can serve as the basis for aninspection escort policy, which will be tested
during future exercise inspections.

At the beginning of 2008, IRSN created a secured web portal where industry can submit its
declarations. Used by 83% of the organizations
who must declare their chemical products,
a survey showed that 80% of the users weresatisfied with the web site.

International inspections of
nuclear facilities
In 2008, IRSN escorted 45 inspections conducted within the framework of the Euratom
Treaty and IAEA inspections of French facilities, compared to 43 the previous year. This
increase is explained mainly by negotiations
between France, the IAEA and Euratom regarding inspection procedures for the Georges
Besse II plant and by requests from Euratom
involving certain facilities that require clarification on specific points.
The Institute participated in an exercise
on what is referred to as a "notification ofcomplementary access", specified in the Additional Protocol. This allowed IRSN to test
the emergency instructions and the various
documents prepared for this purpose. A later
exercise conducted internally at the Instituteconfirmed that the system implemented is
operational and has reached maturity.
In 2008, the Piment portal, developed by
IRSN, was deployed in facilities belonging to
the Areva group. This tool is used to declare

IRSN provided technical assistance to Frenchauthorities in processing several cases, namely
in defining the scope of application and themeans to be invested to protect the information contained in a certain number of sensitive
documents sent to Euratom for inspection
purposes. IRSN also participated actively inthe definition and practical application of
measures agreed between France and Japan
regarding imports of certain equipment designed for installation in French plants.

Protection against
malicious acts
Regulatory text reviews

Summary and Outlook

Organization

In the same year the Institute also continued
work on its computer systems (processing
and retransmission) to take into account format changes in the statements required by
Euratom regulations and used by two of thethree main nuclear operators in France.

malicious acts involving nuclear materials,
transport and facilities. Work involved thedraft decree to implement Articles L1332
and L1333 of the Code of Defense and twoorders to implement this decree, one related
to provisions to ensure accounting for andcontrol for nuclear materials, the other ontransport, which grouped together generalprovisions covering different types of transport of nuclear materials and special provisions
on the different modes of transportation (road,rail, sea, air).

Restricted expert groups
Consultation of the restricted expert groups
responsible for examining the technical aspects of protecting facilities from acts ofsabotage resumed in 2007, but no meetings
were held in 2008. Examination of the EPR
project with regards to malicious acts continued in 2008, while examination of the same
issue began for the Jules Horowitz Reactor
at Cadarache.

In thewords ofChristine
BamièreProject leader
reporting to the
Director of State
Protection and
Security at SGDN

IRSN’s support to SGDN basically covers two areas. The
first is related to security and defense issues: security ofradioactive sources and nuclear materials, protection offacilities, physical protection and national accountabilityof nuclear materials.
In this area, the Institute’s action covers both work on
regulatory texts and research on how to improve theprotection of sources against malicious acts.
On a European scale, IRSN applies its competencewith regards to radioactive sources in work conducted
to reduce radiological risk. Likewise, the Institute also
participates in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear
Terrorism (GICNT).
The second area of collaboration involves diagnostics
and treatment for people who have been irradiated.
The scientific and medical skills available at IRSN are
essential, especially in setting up the plan to deal withvictims in France.

Ensuring efficiency

imports and exports of nuclear materials to
IRSN electronically using a secured Internet
connection and electronic certificates. Its
helps to simplify information processing at
IRSN.

Ioda: a special site for declaring nuclear materials electronically.

ACTIVITIESInternational organizations intensify their action.

In 2008 IRSN continued to participate in therevision of French regulations relevant to

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES67

Challenge 1 234567

In thewords of
Anita Nilsson
Director of the IAEA
Office of Nuclear
Security

preventING proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weaponsand controlLING nuclear and radiological security in the face of terrorism

The IAEA plays a major role in building nuclear security for tomorrow by identifying long-term goals
that are consistent with legal instruments such as the conventions on physical protection and nuclear
terrorism or UN Security Council resolutions, and by managing the heritage resulting from pastneglect of security issues.
To fulfill our commitments, we work with Member States and particularly appreciate the competence,expertise, and assistance provided at various levels by France, and especially by IRSN. For example,
the advisory group on security can rely on the recommendations of IRSN’s Deputy Director in chargeof defense-related missions to formalize a well-organized program.
An IRSN specialist contracted out to the IAEA helps us in our daily work, while others provide support
on how to approach specific aspects or write special directives.
In 2008 the Institute contributed to many of our activities, such as ensuring complementarity between
safety and security approaches, or removing high-activity sources contained in unused equipmentfrom sensitive places. IRSN also helped us publish roughly ten security guidelines.

Security of radioactive
sources
The study program aimed at tightening up
security against malicious acts targeting radioactive sources continued in 2008 with theidentification of possible aggression scenarios
and assessment of the corresponding radiological consequences.
Assessment of the most sensitive scenarios isstill in progress, and will determine the medical and sanitary response to be implemented
both during and after the accident situation.

In this type of work, IRSN relies on its own
skills in radiation protection, security, andemergency response management. Contacts
have also been made with the Paris Fire Brigade
and public transportation operators.
Lastly, as part of the organization that theState is setting up to reinforce security aroundradioactive sources, IRSN has proposed toextend its operational expertise to include
source security and offer a complete support capability that covers all safety, radiation
protection and security issues.

Repeating exercises for better responsiveness in an emergency.

68 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Sigis database development
IRSN’s Sigis database includes information
on radioactive sources and the terms of thecorresponding authorizations. In January
2007, the ASN, who already had access tothis database, expressed the idea that this tool
should be extended to its regional divisions.
The result gave way to two major changes:
first, the network architecture was modified
to integrate the Sigis database into the IRSN
computer network in a domain open to ASN
users; second, the application was changed
to allow the regional divisions of the ASN toOrganization

grant authorizations according to the required
procedures, while maintaining the confidentiality of data in the database. Once the various
entities of the ASN had received appropriate
training, they were given access to the systemat the beginning of 2009.

Moreover as part of measures taken to develop a nuclear security culture, the European
Commission asked IRSN to participate in several missions (in Brussels, Singapore, Jordan,
Morocco) to assess the relevance of developing European training centers or networks(through centers of excellence, for example), in
several countries outside the European Union(in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa).
IRSN also participated in the development ofmethods to assess the potential consequencesof a malicious act in the context of cooperation with the US/DOE (characterization of
the source term).

Develop IRSN’s technicalresponse and mobilization
capabilities to handle aradiological emergency ofmalicious origin
In April 2008, a meeting to collect feedbackon the EPEES 03 nationwide exercise (which
took place at the Cattenom power plant in
Moselle in November 2007) was organizedby the Senior Defense and Security Officialfrom the Ministry of Industry, in the presenceof all the participating entities and with thetechnical support from IRSN. The observations
recorded by assessment specialists from each
entity pointed out lines of improvement thatwill be taken into account by each stakeholder
in the next exercise.
The purpose of EPEES exercises is to test coordination between nuclear facility operators, who are responsible for site protection,and public authorities: the Prefect, the stateprosecutor, local and national police forces. In
2008, IRSN began organizing the next exercise,EPEES 04, which will continue to prepare major
operators (EDF, CEA and Areva) for management of an emergency situation of malicious
origin at a nuclear site.

Openness to society
Policy document on safety
vs security
As part of its mission to protect
nuclear facilities from malicious
acts, IRSN is producing a policy
document that compares thesafety approach and the security
approach. These two are quite
similar in terms of principles,but nonetheless feature specificpoints that require different
implementation procedures.
The policy document will reinforce
complementarity between thesafety analyses and security
analyses that IRSN submits to
the relevant authorities in these
two fields.

ACTIVITIESElsewhere, IRSN took part in working groups
involving:• the IAEA document on fundamentals security
principles;• Revision 5 of the circular INFCIRC 225, containing recommendations on protection of
nuclear materials and facilities;• the recommendations document on radioactive source security;• the structure of texts in IAEA recommendations;• some technical documents (on information
systems security, protection of radioactive
sources, and transport of nuclear materials,
for example).

Cattenom nuclear power plant.

Ensuring efficiency

In 2008, at the request of the IAEA, IRSN
participated, as an instructor or lecturer, ininternational courses covering design basis
threats (South Africa), physical protectionof research reactors (Congo), and the basisof physical protection for nuclear materials
and facilities (Morocco). The Institute also
participated in an advisory mission in the
Netherlands involving physical protection of
nuclear materials.

Summary and Outlook

International activities

1,400

movementsof radioactive sources recorded in the Sigis
database (1,100 in 2007)

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES69

Challenge 1 2 34567

DevelopING IRSN’s
technical response andmobilization capability
to face a major
radiological emergency

Studying emergency
situations and theirconsequences toimprove readiness
Aiming to improve its assessment and operational capabilities in the event of a radiologicalaccident, IRSN achieved significant progress in 2008 in three areas. First, it contributed to thedefinition of national policy relative to post-accident situations by preparing new accident
scenarios to serve as a basis of reflection for the steering committee in charge of managing
the post-accident phase of a nuclear accident (Codir-pa). Second, It consolidated its own
emergency response organization by implementing new mobile measuring units. Third, it
developed new tools to further its knowledge on exposure to ionizing radiation and improvetreatment of patients irradiated accidentally.

National policy
IRSN is involved in work aiming toestablish a national policy for management of nuclear post-accident
situations.

International
Welcome extended to Norwegian and Russian observers

Participation in Codir-pa
work
Since 2005, IRSN has been strongly committed to preparing a national policy on management of nuclear post-accident situations. In
2008 a total of more than 20 specialists at
the Institute participated in work conductedby the steering committee for managementof the post-accident phase of a nuclear accident (Codir-pa), set up by the ASN in 2005.
In addition to being present in nine of theeleven thematic groups, two created in 2008,
IRSN led two groups, one responsible for
evaluating the radiological and dosimetricimpact on the environment and humans, andthe other responsible for choosing the assumptions on which predictive assessments
would be based.
IRSN presented a new accident scenario tothe steering committee, where plutonium
was released to the environment, in orderto test the first policy measures proposedin 2007 for assessment and management of

70 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

In collaborative work conducted by IRSN and the Norwegian Radiation
Protection Agency (NRPA), a physician from the Russian radiation protection
agency (FMBA), an engineer from FMBC (the Russian technical support agency)
and an engineer from the NRPA were invited to observe the national emergency
response exercise held on October 7, 2008; both in the field and at the IRSN
Emergency Response Technical Center. The exercise simulated an accident at theSaint-Laurent-des-Eaux nuclear power plant in the center of France, leading toenvironmental release of radioactivity.
The purpose of the visit was to help FMBA improve its local organization within
the framework of a bilateral project between FMBA and NRPA. This organization
will be tested during an exercise scheduled at Gremikha (Russia) during thesummer of 2009, where IRSN observers will be invited.

Organization

Developing emergency
response teams andequipment

the immediate consequences of radioactive
fallout from an accident involving people,
buildings, and agricultural production.
The Institute also began unique research toconstruct a severe accident scenario where
substantial release occurs over a long period(two weeks). This new scenario, presented inspring 2009, will be used to test and adapt theapproaches proposed by Codir-pa, which until
now had only considered short-duration accident scenarios with a moderate impact.
In parallel to national-level work, IRSN hascontinued to improve its organization andemergency response assessment methods
in terms of:André-Claude
LacosteASN Chairman

Consolidation of
emergency responseorganization
IRSN is constantly improving theways and means it employs in a radiological emergency so that it can respond appropriately in any situation.

As regards the Emergency Response Center,the 2008 inventory pointed out the needto add more people for situations affecting
laboratories, plants, experimental reactors,
and defense-related facilities. In the field, it
appeared necessary to reinforce measurement coordination functions at the operations
control center set up by the local authorities(40 people) and to add mobile units for taking measurements in the environment and on
people (about 80 people).

Since 2005, the ASN has led reflections on a national policy for post-accident management of a
nuclear accident situation. This effort is based on work accomplished by the steering committee formanagement of the post-accident phase of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency situation(Codir-pa).
About 130 people from national and local government agencies, local public authorities, various
specialized institutes, such as IRSN and InVS, and associations participate in work conductedin the 11 working groups set up by the Codir-pa steering committee.
A report on their preliminary results was submitted to the government last March and was publishedon the ASN website. IRSN took an active part in these discussions, where it was necessary to deal withnumerous complex technical questions and come up with practical answers. Some of the Institute’s
important contributions included defining the notion of "post-accident", making a distinction
between the different operational phases, and clarifying the role of each stakeholder. From a technicalviewpoint, the Institute conducted specific studies to confirm strategic thinking with regards to thepossible consequences of different types of scenario.
The first phase of reflection was closed at the end of 2007, with an international conference held inParis and a progress report submitted to the government at the beginning of 2008. Our next milestone
is set for 2010, when we aim to hold another international conference and submit a final report to thegovernment at the end of the year.

Ensuring efficiency

In thewords of• its ability to predict the radiological anddosimetric consequences occurring immediately after accidental release;• m obilization in the field with regards togathering samples, measurement results,
and contextual information used to refine
preliminary assessments.

Even if the number of team members had
already reached over 300 people, the Institutewished to take an exhaustive inventory of
all its employees that could hold a function
in an emergency, in order to ensure rapid
mobilization of all competent specialists at
all times and maintain operational teams on
a long-term basis.

ACTIVITIESThe Emergency Response Center responds to any radiological emergency situation.

www.asn.fr

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESSummary and Outlook

In 2008, the Institute continued its efforts
to reinforce the selection of people capableof taking part in an emergency, either at theEmergency Response Center to help with assessments, or in the teams sent out in thefield to measure radioactivity.

71Challenge 1 2 3

IRSN’s technical response and mobilization capability
4 5 6 7 DevelopING
to face a major radiological emergency

International
IRSN operates in Tunisia

The dosimetric properties of the plastic used on phones are tested using electron paramagnetic resonance.

A special effort focused on integrating IRSN
sites in areas outside the capital into the emergency response structure, to reduce the timerequired to intervene in the field.
Theoretical training started in 2008 will befollowed up by practical training in 2009. Skills
will be kept up to date through participationin national emergency exercises or specificinternal exercises.

Developing tools

In parallel, the program to upgrade IRSN’s
mobile operational units resulted in deliveryof two trucks equipped for taking measurements in the environment. To move its teams
and implement radiological measurement
systems in an incident situation, IRSN now has
emergency vehicles, laboratories on wheels,and a control center vehicle. These vehicles
have been positioned at Avignon (southeast
France), Fontenay-aux-Roses (Paris region)
and Agen (southwest).

To improve its ability to measure doses received by victims of accidental irradiation,
IRSN is studying the dosimetric propertiesof materials such as glass, plastic, and eventhe electronic components in objects foundon most people (mobile phones, watches,glasses, plastic buttons, etc.). These studies are
based on various techniques, such as electron
paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry,
thermo-luminescence, and optically stimulated luminescence.

3

units
added

to the Emergency Technical Center(2 in 2007)

4

dose
assessmentsthrough biological dosimetry (7 in 2007)

72 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

To improve treatments applied to
victims of accidental irradiation,
IRSN is working to develop dosimetry tools and therapeutic treatments
for radiation-induced lesions.

New materials for
retrospective dosimetry

In 2008, dosimetric properties were studied
on a wide range of samples. As an example,
the glass used in liquid crystal screens wasfound to be the most promising material formeasurements using EPR. Most glass of thistype produces a radiation-induced signalthat is steady and intense enough for dose
measurements of a few grays several weeks
after an accident. Among the different plastics tested, very few appeared appropriate for

On March 23, 2008, an irradiation
accident occurred at an industrialsite in Tunisia, subsequent toa malfunction on a gamma
radiography device used for weld
inspections, equipped with aniridium-192 radioactive source.
IRSN immediately recommended
that the patient, with hand burns,
be transferred to the Percy Hospitalin Clamart (in the Paris region),a center highly specialized in thetreatment of serious radiation
burns. When Tunisia called forassistance, the IAEA asked France
to take charge of the patient for
medical treatment. The ASN gave
a positive reply to this request
and the patient was transferredto the Percy Military Hospital on
the evening of May 1.
The patient was treated using
the new therapeutic approachconceived by IRSN for treatingradiation burns, applied previously
after accidents that had occurred in
Chili and Senegal. Skin grafts werecombined with local administrationof mesenchymatous stem cells.
A retrospective dosimetry
assessment was conducted by IRSN
based on bone samples.

accident dosimetry, given the instability inthe radiation-induced signals they produce.
Although luminescent techniques are moresensitive on electronic components, theiruse remains limited due to signal instability.
Additional work is in progress to take into
account this phenomenon.

If a large number of people are exposed toradiation in an accident situation, it is important to classify the victims according
to the actual dose received. The aim is to
identify those who have received the greatest exposure so that therapeutic treatment
can begin as quickly as possible.
The dose received by each victim can beassessed by taking blood samples to countthe dicentric chromosome abnormalities
caused by irradiation. This reference technique provides results in a few days for alimited number of victims (less than 10), butwould require extensive resources if the assessment involved a large number of people.
A variation of this technique was tested after
an irradiation accident involving 63 potential
victims in Dakar in August 2006. In 2008,
certain steps in recognition of chromosome
abnormalities were successfully automated.
This new method reduced the required analysis time by a factor of three and correctly
identified 96% of the persons exposed.

Treatment using adipocyte
stem cells

accidentally irradiated patients have beensuccessfully treated by IRSN and the Percy
Military Hospital in Clamart through celltherapy, including techniques based on theinjection of mesenchymal stem cells.
IRSN’s research programs aim to improve theclinical conditions of using cell therapy to

In thewords of
Philippe Voisin
Head of theRadiobiology andEpidemiology
Department at IRSN

Organization

4

nationwide nuclear
emergency
exercisesinvolving defense-related activities(3 in 2007)

9nationwide nuclear
emergency
exercises
excluding defense-related activities(9 in 2007)

In 2008 we conducted an intercomparison study on
results obtained from four laboratories participating in
the national biological dosimetry network. This exercise,based on a blood sample, confirmed that the network is
operational for rapidly sorting a large number of peoplesuspected of being potentially irradiated, in the eventof a malicious act or a large-scale accident at a nuclear
power plant.
The national network consists of the IRSN biologicaldosimetry laboratory, two CEA cytogenetic laboratories,
and a laboratory at the French National Natural
History Museum. The network was formed through agovernment-sponsored R&D program associated withthe effort to combat nuclear, radiobiological, biological,
and chemical terrorism, coordinated by the Secretary
General of National Defense. The network may soon
be reinforced by a laboratory being created within the
military health service.

Ensuring efficiency

Automation of biologicaldosimetry

ACTIVITIES

Analyzing chromosome abnormalities in samples from an irradiated patient.

Summary and Outlook

treat skin lesions. In this aim, the Institute is
examining the therapeutic potential of othertypes of stem cells through experimental
models. Preliminary results obtained in2008 showed that the administration ofstem cells present in adipose tissue (ASC)improves healing of a wound on irradiatedskin. These cells are capable of stimulatingcell regeneration in the epidermis and leadto the formation of new blood vessels, whichis essential for a wound to heal correctly.
The remarkable plasticity of adipose stem
cells and the fact that they are easily takenfrom adipose tissue make them a promisingsolution for the treatment of radiationinduced skin lesions. This work is being
conducted under a contract with the Frencharmament procurement agency, DGA, whichruns from October 2008 to October 2011.

Treating radiation-induced skin lesions isextremely complex and delicate. Since 2006,

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES73

Challenge 1 2 3 4 567Understanding theeffects of chronic
low-dose exposure

Better quantificationof risk related to
low-level radiation doses
to optimize radiation
protection
In 2008, IRSN pursued its ENVIRHOM research program divided into two parts: the environment,with research on the genetic adaptation mechanisms of invertebrates in response to chronic
exposure to uranium; and humans, with new knowledge gained on how chronic exposure touranium affects the human organism. In parallel, the Institute published a report on cases of
infant leukemia observed near nuclear facilities and concluded a three-year study on worker
exposure to radiation in the nuclear sector, conducted within the Alpha-Risk project.

ENVIRHOM
ProgramSince 2001, the IRSN ENVIRHOM
program has increased knowledge on how chronic exposure toionizing radiation affects the environment and humans. In 2008 thiswork focused on exposure to uranium.

exposed populations. In fact, the higher theuranium concentration, the faster adaptation
was achieved. At high concentrations, however,
the response is not proportional to the con­tamination level. Other results show that whilethese populations adapt to uranium, they are

ENVIRHOM andadaptive phenomenain the environment
Work conducted for the ENVIRHOM program
continued in 2008 with research on uranium,
to improve assessment of the risk involved
when ecosystems are chronically exposedto this radioelement. Understanding adap­
tive mechanisms is an important phase in
identifying the ecological consequences of
exposing plant and animal populations to acontaminant.
Experiments have demonstrated that aquatic
invertebrate populations exposed to uranium
are capable of rapid genetic adaptation.
After eight generations, the test populations
consisted of individuals showing rapid growthand high fertility, comparable to that of un­

74 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Visualizing the stage of development of living organisms.

also more vulnerable in a new environment.
This observation is extremely important, since
it implies that if environmental chages takeplace quickly and frequently, populations thathave adapted to a particular environment
may tend to disappear. Continued research

The year 2008 was dedicated to studying theconsequences of chronic ingestion of small
amounts of depleted and/or enriched uranium
on the physiology of reproduction.
In the female mouse, several months of in­gestion of water contaminated by depleted
uranium (the reference radionuclide in the
ENVIRHOM program) caused structural modi­
fications in ovocytes, although uranium did
not accumulate in the ovaries. A diversificationof ovocyte anomalies was observed for thehigher concentrations tested.
In the male rat, ingestion of water con­taminated by enriched uranium disturbed
the metabolism of certain sexual hormones.
These effects were not observed with
depleted uranium, indicating radiological
toxicity of uranium rather than chemical toxic­
ity in these studies.
Research is still in progress to determine
whether these effects of uranium cause prob­
lems in the reproduction function.

In thewords of
Wolfgang Weiss
Chairman of theHigh-level Expert
Group on European
Low-dose Research

Summary and Outlook

Organization

Impact of uranium on
the rodent reproductive
systemFor over 40 years radiation protection has been foundedon the assumption that there is no mimimum limit below
which exposure to ionizing radiation has no effect onhuman health; but 40 years of research have shown that
men and women, young and old, from various ethnic
groups react differently to the same amount of exposure.
This implies that we do not have quantitative proof
to answer the question of whether or not we provide
people from all categories – workers in the nuclear
sector, physicians, the general public – with anadequate level of radiation protection. Yet a question
as fundamental as this demands a scientific consensus,
which is why a high-level expert group (HLEG) on
European low-dose research was formed, to define
a European-wide, common, transparent policy on risk
quantification. French organizations, especially IRSN,
are the most active in conducting research in thisarea and contribute considerably to the high-level
expert group’s work. In 2008, the group asked eightinternationally recognized specialists to outline
European research strategy in terms of the fundmental
questions that can no longer be left unanswered.
Management of such a long-term project is too complex
to be placed under the individual responsibility ofscientists or institutions.

ACTIVITIESin this area will confirm whether the same
results may be observed in the natural en­
vironment.

Initial results on uranium distribution in parts of the cell were obtained
through SIMS ion microscopy. This analysis showed that uranium accumulates
in the membrane of liver cells in the rat.

Cooperation and integration of research work must
therefore be conceived on a European scale. I am
therefore inviting IRSN and other members of thehigh-level expert group to contribute their knowledge,
competence, and resources to a multidisciplinary
initiative on low-dose research, and to create a longterm, operational framework for European research on
risks in this area.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESEnsuring efficiency

Laboratory experiment on the ecotoxic effects of chronic exposure
to uranium on living organisms for the ENVIRHOM project.

75

Challenge 1 2 3 4 5

La Hague
Flamanville

6 7 Understanding the effects of chronic low-DOSE exposure

Gravelines

EDF nuclear power plants
CEA research centers
Others

Penly
PaluelChooz

Fontenay
SaclaySaint-Laurent
ChinonCattenom

NogentFessenheim

Dampierre
Belleville

CivauxBugey
Saint-AlbanBlayaisGolfechGrenoble
RomansCruas
Tricastin

Marcoule
Cadarache

Locations of civil nuclear facilities in France.

Chronic risks
IRSN is conducting epidemiological studies to measure the effects ofchronic human exposure to ionizing radiation from the workplace,the environment, accident situations or medical treatments.

Knowledge on the risk ofleukemia
Many studies have attempted to explain thelocal excess of childhood leukemia aroundcertain nuclear facilities. Most of the stud­ies encounter methodological limitations
that make it difficult to demonstrate a causal
link. In 2008 IRSN conducted a critical review
on all epidemiological data available on therisk of infantile leukemia occurring in thevicinity of nuclear facilities.
Based on over 400 international publications,the review revealed a great amount of diver­sity in the studies, approaches and choiceof methods.
Conclusions point to a local excess of child­hood leukemia cases close to the reprocessing
plants in Sellafield and Dounreay in Great76 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

An open-pit uranium mine.

Britain, and near the Kruemmel nuclear power
plant in Germany.
In another IRSN analysis based on multi-site
studies, including France, the frequency ofleukemia cases was not higher in persons
aged from 0 to 24 in the vicinity of nuclear
sites. The observation reported in a German
publication at the end of 2007 showing aInternational
The Protect Project: conclusions and recommendations
The Protect project for coordinated action ended in October 2008.
Carried out as part of the 6th Framework Program, the Protect project wasa joint effort of the British Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), the Swedish
Radiation Protection Authority (SSM), the Norwegian Radiation Protection
Authority (NRPA) and IRSN. This consortium issued several recommendationsof international scope, consistent with UNSCEAR and ICRP work accomplishedin environmental radiation protection. The use of statistical methods, alreadyapplied to chemical substances and adapted by IRSN for working withradioactive substances, is preferred over expert opinions in determining
the criteria to be applied to protecting the biodiversity of ecosystems.
To ensure protection of the structure and functioning of ecosystems,
the consortium recommended that a dose rate equivalent to 10 µGy/h over
the ambient background noise should not be exceeded. Research to define
criteria specific to different plant and animal species is encouraged. Constructionof a radiation protection system for the environment will be pursued in
the IAEA EMRAS II program.

www.ceh.ac.uk/PROTECTOrganization

More details

The Epice Program studies possible effects of cesium
contamination

IRSN is coordinating the European AlphaRisk project, organized under the 6th Frame­
work Program. Initiated in 2005, the purposeof this project is to compile knowledge on thequantification of risks associated with multi­
ple chronic exposures of workers to ionizing
radiation. Particular focus has been given to
the effects of internal contamination causedby alpha-emitting radioelements (uranium,
radon, and its decay products). Alpha-Riskbrings together 18 partners from nine differ­ent countries.
The project covered cohorts of uranium miners
from France, the Czech Republic, and Germany,for a total of over 50,000 miners. The study
examined several topics, such as risks otherthan lung cancer, quantification of the risk oflung cancer associated with radon (factoring in
tobacco smoking), and improvement of dose
assessments on organs in miners, with help
from dosimetry specialists.

Summary and Outlook

Alpha-Risk: conclusions
after three years

The consequences of the Chernobyl accident are followed up on a population of children living
in Russian contaminated territories.

In 2005, IRSN initiated a program called "Epice" to examine pathologies inducedby cesium contamination, more specifically oriented towards determining
whether or not there is a link between chronic contamination by cesium-137
and the occurrence of non-cancerous pathologies in children living in Russian
contaminated territories by fallout from the Chernobyl accident. In 2008,
a pilot study confirmed feasibility of the program and enabled IRSN to continue
with the study of cardiac arrhythmia on roughly 18,000 children living both oncontaminated and uncontaminated territories in the Bryansk oblast in Russia.
The study seeks to compile data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmia andexplore a possible link with chronic ingestion of food contaminated by cesium-137.
After a year dedicated to establishing the protocol and procuring equipment,
the screening campaign should begin in 2009, with the support of local teams.

ACTIVITIES

greater risk of leukemia in children aged from0 to 4 living less than 5 km from a nuclear
power plant in Germany has not been backed
up by studies carried out in other countries.
IRSN’s critical review also showed that it isdifficult to determine the causes of the excess
incidence of leukemia observed locally mainly
due to insufficient knowledge of the risk fac­
tors contributing to infantile leukemia.

Alpha-Risk also studied workers in the
nuclear industry concerned about internal
contamination. Continuation of this study
will focus on monitoring a cohort of work­ers potentially exposed to uranium in Franceand England.

Ensuring efficiency

The Alpha-Risk project has already issued
roughly 15 publications. The final report will
be published at the end of 2009.
www.alpha-risk.org

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIES77

Challenge 1 2 3 4 567

Developing protection
against ionizing
radiation in thehealthcare sector

Developing a nuclear
culture based onradiation protectionin the healthcare sector
Given the growing use of ionizing radiation for medical purposes and recent radiotherapy
accidents, IRSN reinforced its work in this area in 2008. The Institute has developed new
research approaches devoted to complications in radiotherapy treatments, prepared several
assessment reports on accidents that have occurred in the hospital environment (including
one on the contribution of human factors and organization to accidents), and continued
developing a national database on the patient exposure, working in cooperation with the InVS.

Radiopathology
IRSN is conducting research to advance understanding of the mechanisms that cause complications suffered by certain patients following
radiotherapy treatment.

Assessments in the
medical field

International

Knowledge gained by IRSN hascontributed to improving the conditions of patient exposure to ionizing radiation .

Kick-off of the
Cardiorisk project
Since 2008, IRSN has been

Implementation of the
Rosiris program
Radiotherapy has become an extremely com­plex field, with new technologies that call on
particle accelerators. To define criteria capableof measuring the risk for the patient and opti­
mize current radiotherapy protocols, the medi­
cal world needs a better understanding of theeffect and severity of complications related tothese treatments. The Rosiris experimental
research program was conceived to advanceknowledge on the mechanisms that cause
the side effects of radiotherapy treatments.
To meet this challenge, Inserm and IRSN havecombined their skills in radiobiology, radiopa­
thology, radiotherapy and physical dosimetry.
In 2008, a feasibility study was initiated in
two directions: first, mathematical modelingof the path traced by ionizing radiation andradiation-induced damage to tissues; second,
the study of functional disturbances in irradi­
ated tissues or organs.

Assessment on theradiosurgery accident at
the university hospital in
Toulouse

participating in the European

This complex assessment on the impact ofoverexposure on patient health, requestedby the ASN, was conducted by Institute ex­perts and researchers in dosimetry, ionizing
radiation physics, and radiopathology of thecentral nervous system. First the dosimetricimpact of the calibration error on organs at
risk was established for each patient, one ata time. Specialists searched for any correla­tion between overexposure and the clinicalsymptoms observed on certain patients. IRSN
then compared the data from the "Toulousecohort" with data described in scientific publi­
cations on complications observed after treat­ing various types of pathology. The patients’
overall impressions were analyzed througha questionnaire prepared by international
scientific advisors.

7th Framework Program.

Cardiorisk project, coordinatedby the University of Munich(Germany) as part of theIts main goal is to study thephysical and pathologicalmechanisms of cardiovasculardiseases resulting from low-dose
external exposure.
In recent epidemiological data,
it appears that exposure to a
cumulative dose of less than one
Sievert could lead to a significant
risk of cardiovascular disease.
There is currently controversy overthis data.
The Cardiorisk projectwill provide complementary
experimental results on noncancerous pathologies related to
low-dose external exposure.

78 ACTIVITIES _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

mSv

100

Organization

Myocardium
TI-Chloride

201

Abdomen+ pelvis scan

10

Myocardium
Tc-SESTAMIBI
Tumors
18
F-FDG
Bones
99m
Tc-MDP/HMDP
99m

Thorax scan

Brain scan
Lumbar spine
Abdomenwithout
preparation

99m

1

Thyroid
Tc-Pertechnetate
Kidneys99m
Tc-MAG3

Dorsal scan

0,1This work was described in a report where
IRSN expressed its recommendations on the
medical follow-up of patients, changes in ra­
diosurgery practices, and scientific follow-up
of the patient cohort.
www.irsn.org

Radiotherapy treatments
In 2008, IRSN led discussions to identify what
type of studies and research could be initiatedto improve radiotherapy treatments in themedium term. Interviews were conducted withhealthcare professionals involved in adminis­
tering these treatments and several accidents
were analyzed.
The conclusions of this work pointed to fourlines of development:• adapt the concepts and methods used forsafety analysis in nuclear facilities to thefield of radiotherapy;• study how work organization can contributeto making sure the doses delivered comply
with the doses prescribed;• ascertain how computerization and automa­

In thewords of
Dominique
Maraninchi
Chairman of theFrench National
Cancer Institutetion affect the control that professionals
exercise over treatment parameters;• examine how the conditions in which tech­nical devices are received and implemented
have an influence on safety.
This work may contribute to discussions en­
gaged in the "road map" project initiated in2007 by the Ministry for Health, following
several accidents that occurred during radio­
therapy treatments. The goal is to define what
actions could be taken in the short term to
improve the safety of patients treated using
this technique.
www.irsn.org

Analysis of diagnostic
reference levels
Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) serve to
optimize diagnostic practices in radiology
and nuclear medecine. They are establishedfor standardized examinations and typicalpatients. According to the Order of Febru­
ary 12, 2004, IRSN is entrusted with periodi­
cally updating DRLs. For this purpose, IRSN

analyzed data on doses received by patients,
submitted by healthcare establishments be­
tween 2004 and 2006.
The analysis results were sent to the ASN and
the Ministry for Health in March 2008 and willserve as a basis for updating DRLs.
www.irsn.org

Summary and Outlook

An observatory was created to compile more complete data on patient exposure in France.

ExPRI, an observatory forpatient exposure
To further knowledge on medical exposure
to ionizing radiation, IRSN and the InVS havespent four years working towards the creationof a national observatory named ExPRI. While
information on patient examinations carriedout in the private sector can be accessed
through the national health insurance system,
this data is not available for those treatedthrough the public health sector.
IRSN and the InVS initiated a survey in the
public sector in 2008. The results will be used
to update the assessment of the average an­nual individual dose, to specify the distributionof delivered doses, and to establish the numberof people actually exposed.

The radiotherapy accident that occurred at the hospital in Épinal triggered an in-depth reflection onradiotherapy in France, in terms of organization, human resources, and safety awareness. IRSN played
an essential role in these discussions. Its multidisciplinary research program is designed to limit theafter-effects suffered by over-irradiated patients. The aim is to reduce, or even prevent, the toxicity ofradiotherapy, in both the acute phase and in the medium to long term. The program is part of a generalapproach to optimizing received doses by taking into account individual diversity.
In terms of training, our priority is to stimulate greater awareness among professionals of the risks
involved in radiotherapy. The continuous training program conceived by IRSN will allow them todetect, report, and manage minor incidents before they can occur again.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Order of magnitude of the effective dose (mSv)
in medical imaging.

Ensuring efficiency

Brain
Lungs

79

“Actively striving to optimize”[TRANSPARENCY][GOVERNANCE][EXCELLENCE]
80 ENSURING EFFICIENCY _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Quality

82

Hygiene, safety andenvironmental protection

83

Scientific and technicalexcellence

84

Human resources

86

Communications

88

ENSURINGEFFICIENCY
Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ENSURING EFFICIENCY81

QUALITY

A concept,
an organization,a method,an outlook
After being certified in July 2007 for its quality policy based on the ISO 9001 standard(version 2000), IRSN devoted 2008 to creating and optimizing its program of total quality
management.

Goals• To satisfy IRSN customers and partners.
• To maintain an excellent level of service.
• To benefit all members of society.

IRSN’s certification comes up for
renewal in 2010, when it will needto demonstrate not only that its“quality” documentation is complete
and updated regularly, but above allthat its total quality management program is operating at all levels of theorganization.

Getting personnel involved
The total quality management system must
give each employee the incentive to improve IRSN’s performance and operation.
In 2008, significant efforts went towards
making the entire quality system operational so that its ability to drive continuous
improvement would appear to employees asclearly as the role played by the operationaland functional goals set out in the Contractof Objectives.
Implementation of the Medium- to Longterm Plan in 2008 provided the opportunity
to test the robustness and efficiency of thetotal quality management system. A largescale project was initiated to consolidate thetotal quality approach within all IRSN activities. In this context, various procedures wererolled out, such as systematically listening

to customer’s needs, analyzing dysfunctions
and complaints, writing up improvement
sheets, conducting internal audits, and creating a group of accredited laboratories tostandardize good practices.

More efficient andtransparent practices
All process reviews were completed and theresults used to prepare annual activity programs. Moreover, on the basis of experienceacquired over previous years, the IRSN governance process was completely revised toincorporate actual practices, while making
them more efficient and transparent.
In parallel, reflection on certain concepts in the
total quality approach, such as the benefits tosociety, was brought to maturity.

News brief
IRSN was audited twice by LRQA, acertification authority, and no majoror minor cases of non-compliancewere detected.

82 ENSURING EFFICIENCY _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Each employee contributes to the Institute’s
performance.

10a ccredited laboratories
according to the ISO 17025 standard(7 in 2007)

Setting
an example

Organization

HYGIENE, SAFETY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION

Computerized managementof radioactive sources
The year 2008 saw the implementation of
a computerized application called ASISA for
monitoring radioactive sources and electricalequipment, dedicated to:• ensuring compliance between authorizations
issued by authorities and the actual radioactive sources (sealed or unsealed) or electricalequipment emitting ionizing radiation heldby IRSN units;

In thewords of
Séverine
ZaleckiHead of IRSN’s
sustainable
development project• tracing any movements of radioactive sourcesand electrical equipment (loan, use outsideof IRSN facilities, transfer, disposal).

Reducing electric hazards
Following the accidental death by electrocution of a technician working for a subcontractor at the Fontenay-aux-Roses site on
April 25, 2008, IRSN reviewed its electricalcertification program. Each activity requiring
electrical certification was carefully analyzed
to reassess the required certification level andthe associated training needs, and propose
any necessary changes to existing preventive
measures.

The goal of the “sustainable development” project thatIRSN undertook at the end of 2008 is to provide the Institutewith feedback on the impact of its work and improve its
contribution to society and the environment. As a publicauthority, it is normal for IRSN to invest in this area sothat concern for sustainable development is reflected
in all of its efforts over the long term.
This project began with an initial diagnosis performed
by a workgroup made up of employee representatives
and members of all divisions. The proposals (policies,
commitments, efforts and operational organization) that
result will then be validated by the executive committee
before implementation in 2010.

Renovation of the mainbuilding at the Fontenayaux-Roses Research Center
Despite significant work completed since2006, the main building of the Fontenayaux-Roses site was in disrepair and out ofcompliance with safety regulations. Since thebuilding structure itself was also concerned, an
overall renovation plan was prepared in 2008
and presented to the Board of Directors.

News brief
IRSN defined a new policy
on shared responsibility forbuildings. The new rules define
the geographical boundaries inwhich directors of research units
exercise their delegation of power
and responsibility regarding health,safety and the environment.

10f acilities classified forenvironmental protection in compliancewith the Environmental Code
(10 in 2007)

Ensuring efficiency

To ensure that anyone employed at an
IRSN location is able to work under safe
conditions that preserve human health.

ACTIVITIES

Goal

Summary and Outlook

Over the past years, IRSN has pursued efforts concerning health, safety and environmental
protection. At the end of the year, this process resulted in the implementation of a sustainable
development project.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ENSURING EFFICIENCY83

SCIENTIFICAND TECHNICALEXCELLENCE

Setting the benchmark
in science and technology
Initiated in 2003, IRSN’s policy of scientific and technical excellence aims to achieve thehighest possible level in the field and have this excellence recognized by both the scientificcommunity and IRSN partners.

Goal
To reach the highest possible scientific andtechnical level in all IRSN research and assessment activities, based on three major
criteria of excellence:• s cientific and technical quality of teams
and results;• r elevance of the subjects covered;• e fficient organization of scientificand technical activities (methods,
collaborative work, etc.).

Cross-disciplinaryscientific interaction
Two new cross-disciplinary scientific interaction groups were created in 2008 (Aerosols
Club and Statistics Group). These groups provide the opportunity for IRSN researchers
working on the same topics to exchange theirpoints of view.

Exploratory research
gets underway
In 2008, three research projects exploring newvistas reaching beyond established programs
were added to the four initiated in 2007. A
mid-point review has shown the success ofthese four projects, two of which will be followed up by new actions that have alreadybeen included in the IRSN programs for 2009,
the two others revealing promising results.
The program has established a path towards
scientific excellence for IRSN and a workshop
was conducted in 2008 to perpetuate andbroaden its range in the coming years.

Pursuing scientific andtechnical assessment
process
The year 2008 was marked at IRSN by the
publication of the Scientific and Technical
Assessment Guide, which specifies the basic
principles and different procedures involved.
The purpose is to have IRSN activities audited
by experts chosen for their competence andindependence, based on standard criteria, i.e.,scientific quality, relevance and efficiency.
Two assessments were completed in 2008,
which covered:• w ork conducted by the laboratory ofmeasurement of radioactivity in nuclear
materials;• the review conducted on "reliability of the
spent fuel pool cooling system in the fuelbuilding of EDF reactors".
Seven other assessments were also started on
neutron metrology, the use of R&D on fires inprobabilistic safety assessments, the influenceof extreme climatic events on the distributionof radionuclides in the environment, "Radionuclide" sheets, airborne contamination, impact
of probabilistic safety assessments on operator risk evaluation practices, and reflooding thereactor core in an accident situation.
Another aspect of this policy consisted oforganizing the first thematic scientific council.
Consisting of 11 outside experts, including
nine foreigners, it met for the first time toaudit IRSN’s source term research.

Training through research
Recruiting of doctorate students and postdoctorate students was strengthened in 2008
with deployment of a selection system for

84 ENSURING EFFICIENCY _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

News brief> In 2008, the French National
Research Agency (ANR) opted tofinance three of the 13 research
projects proposed by IRSN.
These projects involve biology,
the environment and radioactive
waste storage, and earthquake
risk. Since its creation in 2005,
the ANR has funded a total of
13 IRSN cross-disciplinary
research projects, aiming to
produce new knowledge while
encouraging interaction between
public and private laboratories byforging research partnerships.
> The 2007 Scientific and Technical
Report was published in June2008.

http://net-science.irsn.org> On November 6, 2008, IRSN
organized a science day devoted
to nuclear and radiological risk.

http://net-science.irsn.org

86
50
20

doctorate
students (85 in 2007)

post-doctorate
students(31 in 2007)
thesesdefended (18 in 2007)Organization
College of Experts at Aix-en-Provence.

subjects and candidates. For doctorate theses,
after examining the research subjects, candidates were selected by a commission formedby members from both inside and outside theInstitute. In total, 25 new doctorate studentsjoined IRSN for three-year training in various
fields (ecotoxicology, radiobiology, nuclear
safety, etc.). In the case of post-doctorate students, the numerous requests from researchteams in 2008 made it necessary to set up acommission to select subjects in adequation
with IRSN’s goals to achieve scientific excellence. The number of post-doctorate students
retained (30 annual full-time equivalents)
corresponds to the supervision capacity of
the laboratories.
The success of Dissertation Days continues tobe confirmed every year. In 2008, the event

brought together nearly 160 participants from
IRSN, universities, CNRS, and industry, in thevillage of Vogüé in southern France.

39

Reinforcing theCollege of “Experts”

175

Jacques Vendel

persons
qualified
to supervise research(41 in 2007)

publications
in scientific journals with review committees(123 in 2007)360

ACTIVITIES

lecturesat conferences (350 in 2007)

At IRSN we have three cross-disciplinary scientific interaction groups on Monte Carlo methods,
aerosols, and calculating uncertainty, with a fourth group on droplet flow underway. The purposeof these groups is to bring together IRSN employees interested in a scientific or technical subject,
whether they are experts or simply people who "need to know". Interaction during meetings allows
experts to transmit knowledge by answering the questions posed by non-specialists, while also
encouraging exchanges among specialists. This is an effort supported and led by the members of
IRSN’s College of Experts. They seek out the topics that are the most likely to interest several IRSN
departments, analyze the relevance of these topics, and then drive the group dynamics.
Today, these groups help spread and further knowledge at IRSN.

Ensuring efficiency

In thewords ofA second nomination campaign to elect members to IRSN’s College of “Experts” added
17 experts and seven senior experts, bringing
the number of members to 48.
The new members were welcomed in Octoberin Aix-en-Provence at a College of Experts
seminar where they were briefed on the previous year’s work, learned about how the college
operates, and defined a work program.

Summary and Outlook

Dissertation Days at Vogüé in southern France.

IRSN Senior Expert

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ENSURING EFFICIENCY85

HUMAN RESOURCES

Supporting tomorrow’s
experts
At a time when the nuclear power sector is expected to expand, the generation of engineers
who helped design, build, and operate current reactors and facilities is retiring, while
engineering schools are having problems meeting the increasing demand for people with
scientific and technical qualifications. In this context, IRSN is particularly vulnerable and must
be proactive and creative to recruit and retain staff.

Goals• To anticipate the skills IRSN will needin the coming years and take action.
• To encourage the development of
individual competence and pool skills
to promote collective action.
• To ensure constructive relations
between management and personnel.

For the human resources team that
proposed actions to respond quickly to changes in the job market andhighlight IRSN’s advantages, 2008
was an innovative year.

Participation in career fairs
After analyzing the needs of the various operational units, the Institute adopted a policyof extensive participation in “career fairs”.
IRSN participated in forums organized by the
National Institute for Nuclear Science andTechnology and the National Employment
Agency for Managerial staff (Apec), as well
as events such as Pollutec or the science fairheld in Marseille. Efforts were focused on
creating a stand that was both attractive
and welcoming, to give IRSN an image thatmatched the expectations of potential candidates. Staff from all divisions were available totake visitors’ questions and discuss careers at
IRSN. Through these events and the involvement of IRSN officials in candidate selection,
103 candidates were offered positions in 2008.

New pay plan
IRSN undertook important negotiations to
implement a new pay plan that meets em-

ployees’ expectations in terms of career advancement and the frequency and quality ofrecognition.
An agreement modifying the classification andpay scale for managerial staff was signed withfour labor unions on April 1, 2008. According to the terms of the agreement, all staff
members with managerial status can request
an annual raise on an individual basis.
Supervisors can choose from a range of individual pay increases to recognize employee
performance. This system, more flexible andeasier to understand than the previous one,should reflect an employee’s career development more adequately by facilitating
recognition for accepting technical or other
responsibility.
A profit-sharing agreement was signed onJune 26, 2008, correlating employee compensation with IRSN’s financial results andimproving their overall income.
Compensation is calculated according to
IRSN’s activity, based on indicators representing scientific production, influence within
European research, maintaining ISO-9001
certification, developing IRSN’s own sourcesof revenue, and customer satisfaction.
For this first agreement, IRSN received permission from its supervisory ministries to provide
a budget allowance representing 2% of thetotal gross payroll.

Professional training
on the rise
Aware of the importance of developing theskills of their staff members, supervisors havemade sure that measures in the training plan
have been fully implemented, or, when neces-

86 ENSURING EFFICIENCY _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Proportion of managerial/non-managerial staff
28%

72%

Non-managerial staff

Managerial staff

Proportion of men/women

45%

55%

Women

Men

28%

of
 staff composed oftechnicians and technical and administrative
support staff (28 % in 2007)

103

employees
recruited onpermanent contracts (90 in 2007)

n1.6

millionin training costs(m1.3 million in 2007)

Organization

Age pyramid
2%Over 60

0%
1

OECD

10%

56 to 60

7%
1

ITER

13%

51 to 55

9%

SFRP

1

12%

46 to 50

12%
1

SGDN

14%

41 to 45

14%
1

Areva

18%

36 to 4020%
2

Training to develop staff skills.
25Under 25

1

Ministries

4

Men

50

100

Women

8

IAEA

1

57
21
77
10

50

48,357

ASN(52,773 in 2007)

Total

2,895

100

Contracted out

hours
of training


training
programs
completed (2,926 in 2007)

ACTIVITIES

8

25

Riskaudit

7

5

0

72%

of
 staff are engineers,
researchers and managers (72% in 2007)

For almost ten years, about fifteen human resource directors from public authorities pursuingindustrial and commercial activities have come together four times a year for informal discussions
on best practices for developing human resources. During these meetings, we deal with problems
we have in common by taking advantage of each other’s experience in all aspects of our functions –career management, skills development, mobility, training, salary, etc. It was in this context that IRSN
presented us with its College of Experts. The advantage of this approach is to enhance technical andscientific expertise by proposing non-managerial career prospects. This is an issue that concerns us
all, since experts are what gives purpose to these public authorities. Today, after a meeting with IRSN’s
human resources team, we are working internally to set up a similar project adapted to the needs of
our institution.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Ensuring efficiency

Director of Human
Resources, INERIS

25 to 30

3%

CEA

3

SecondedÉlisabeth
Caron

14%

3%

0

In theInserm31 to 35

18%

CCE

2

Finally, IRSN has taken a major decision regarding forecasting activities designed to preserve
its skills base and provide employees with clear
career paths by confirming a project to predict
staff and skills requirements, which should be
implemented within the next two years.

words of

14%

16%

1

sary, replaced by others that are more pertinent to actual needs. Thus, for the first timesince its foundation, IRSN has used all thefunds allocated to the training budget, with
48,357 hours of training taken by 2,895 staff
members.

Works
committee

Summary and Outlook

IRSN personnel contracted out
or seconded (as of December 31, 2008)87

Communications

Transparency, education,
responsiveness, visibility
and global presence
Risk prevention begins with information. IRSN’s communication efforts in 2008 were therefore
directed at providing better information to those working in the nuclear sector as well as
the general public who are interested in issues involving nuclear safety, nuclear security,and protection from ionizing radiation.

Goals• To provide the media with transparent
and detailed information.
• To present more instructive andaccessible information to the public.
• To improve responsiveness incommunication and information in
emergency situations.
• To give greater visibility to IRSN
research conducted to support
assessment activity.
• To promote IRSN’s international
activities.

Better communication for
greater transparency
As an independent public expert, IRSN iscommitted to communicating as openly as
possible, expressing the viewpoint of a technical safety organization in coordination withother nuclear stakeholders, including government authorities, safety authorities, industry,
etc. With this in mind, IRSN has expanded
the content of its website to include current
events and major topics (more than 70 current events, along with over 30 press releases
and information notices published in 2008). In
coordination with the French nuclear safety
authority (ASN), in 2008 IRSN also decided
to give Internet coverage to summaries oftechnical opinions that it delivered to standing expert groups in which it participates,
while complying with the applicable rules ofconfidentiality.

Open-house at Fontenay-aux-Roses.

Providing comprehensible
information
Information must not only be transparent,
but also comprehensible to be useful to theordinary citizen. IRSN’s communications department therefore sought to enhance theeducational aspect of its materials. In reportson the incidents at Socatri, results of environment measurements were presented using
maps for easier interpretation.

Traveling exhibition on Nuclear Powerand Society, from Knowledge to Control

4,000(4,400 in 2007)

88 ENSURING EFFICIENCY _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

visitors

IRSN likewise planned to completely revise
its Internet site in 2009, building it aroundmajor topics (nuclear facilities, environment,
health, etc.) and user profile (general public, professionals, scholars, etc.) to respond
more effectively to the needs of its different
audiences.

1,100,000
consulted on the IRSN website(900,000 in 2007)

205,000

pages


pages

consulted on IRSN’s scientific website(135,000 in 2007)

Organization
Summary and Outlook

Exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Explain the knowledge
gained by IRSN fromresearch
Illustrating the relationship between research
and assessment activities at several of its
facilities or during various public events was
the main theme of IRSN’s communication
efforts in 2008. During a science fair, IRSN
invited the public to visit its laboratories at
Fontenay-aux-Roses, and organized openhouse events in the Tournemire experimental center to demonstrate the experiments

performed there. At Vésinet it presented
work in progress at its new laboratory forradiophotoluminescent dosimetry.

Support for IRSN’sefforts abroad
In 2008, the IRSN communications department served IRSN’s increasing international
development by promoting the standardization of technical safety practices through theEurosafe Forum of nuclear safety experts,
organized by the Institute in Paris the same
year.

12

conferences
organized
(8 in 2007)

4

trade fairs or public events

where IRSN participated (3 in 2007)

270

press
requests

processed (200 in 2007)

1,000(720 in 2007)

press
mentions

Selected eventsin 2008> November 6: Presentation at theInstitut Henri Poincaré in Paris of
IRSN’s main research programson nuclear and radiological risk
management.
> November 14-16: IRSN’scontribution to the European Cityof Science at the Grand Palais in
Paris in the context of the French
presidency of the European
Union.

ACTIVITIESIn the context of increased media coverageof events such as radiotherapy accidents
and the effluent release incidents at the
Socatri plant, IRSN has endeavored to collect,organize and circulate reliable and detailed
data and analyses very rapidly to respondto requests from government authorities,
safety authorities, associations, and the
media. At the same time, IRSN has also
processed about one thousand requests for
information received throughout the year
via its Internet contact link, keeping a line
open with the public on a daily basis. Thesechanges reflect the growing importance of
current events and public questions, whichtoday represent an increasing portion of
IRSN’s communication effort.

> November 21-22: IRSN
participated in the Marseille
Science Fair, under the French
presidency of the European
Union.
IRSN also took part in the travelingexhibition Nuclear Power andSociety: from Knowledge toControl (in Saint-Germain-enLaye, Lyon and Auch), organizedin conjunction with the ASN, andmany trade fairs such as Pollutec,
Medec and the radiology event
Journées françaises de radiologie.

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ ENSURING EFFICIENCY

Ensuring efficiency

Inform more quickly89

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST UVW XY Z

Glossary_A
ADEME
Agence de l’environnement et de la maîtrisede l’énergie (French agency for theenvironment and energy control)
AFNI
Agence France Nucléaire International(French international nuclear agency)
AFSSA
Agence française de sécurité sanitairedes aliments (French agency for safe foodconsumption)
AFSSAPS
Agence française de sécurité sanitairedes produits de santé (French agency forthe safe use of health products)

ANDRA
Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets
radioactifs (French national radioactive
waste management agency)
ASTEC
Accident Source Term Evaluation Code
AVN
Association Vinçotte nucléaire (Vinçotte
nuclear association, Belgium)_B
Becquerel (Bq)
Official international unit of measure used
for radioactivity. The becquerel is equal to
one transformation per second

AFSSET
Agence française de sécurité sanitairede l’environnement et du travail (French
agency for environmental and occupational
health protection)

Bel V
Technical safety organization of the Belgian
Nuclear Safety Authority

Alpha radiation (symbolized as "α")A highly ionizing form of particle radiation
with low penetration consisting of helium-4
nuclei. A simple sheet of paper can prevent
its propagation

Beta radiation (symbolized as "β")Radiation consisting of electrons witha positive or negative charge. Propagation
can be stopped by leaving a space of a few
meters around the source or providing
a barrier using a simple sheet of aluminum
foil

AMANDE
Accelerator for dosimetry metrology andneutron applications (Cadarache)

BNRA
Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency

ANCLI
Association nationale des commissions
locales d’information (French national
association of local informationcommittees)

BRGM
Bureau de recherches géologiqueset minières (French institution for researchin Earth sciences)

90 GLOSSAry _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

_C
CABRI
Test reactor used by IRSN (CEA) to study
nuclear fuel safety
CANDU
Canadian deuterium-uranium reactor
CATHARE
Thermal-hydraulic computer code used to
study the behavior of pressurized water
reactors during accident situations
Cellular plasticity
The ability of a cell to change into anothertype of cell
Cesium (Cs, atomic number 55)
Toxic rare metal with characteristics
comparable to those of potassium
CESTA
Centre d’études scientifiques et techniques
d’Aquitaine (center for technical andscientific studies in Aquitaine) (CEA)
CHIP
CHIP: Program to study the chemistry ofgaseous phase iodine in a PWR reactor
coolant system in a core meltdown accident
situation
CIGEET
Commission for information on the majorenergy facilities at Tricastin
CNPP
Centre national de prévention et deprotection (French national center for
prevention and protection)
Containment or reactor building
Sealed concrete structure containing thereactor vessel, reactor coolant system,
steam generators and safety-related
auxiliaries for a pressurized water reactor
CoriumAgglomeration of fuel and structuralelements from a nuclear reactor core,melted and mixed together following
a severe accident
COWAM
Community Waste Management program
funded by the European Community
Criticality (risks)
Risks associated with uncontrolled fission
phenomena in fissile materials
CTICM
Centre technique industriel de la construction
métallique (French industrial technicalcenter for metal construction)
Cytogenetics
Biological technique used to study
chromosome anomalies in cells

DOSIP
Passive individual dosimetry

FMBA
Federal Medical Biophysical Agency –Russian radiation protection agency_E
EADS
European Aeronautic Defense and Space
Company
ENVIRHOM
Research program that studies theprocesses involved in radionuclide
accumulation and the biological effects
induced by this accumulation in flora, fauna
and humans in a chronic exposure situation
EPR
European Pressurised water Reactor

DIVA
Facility used to study fire, ventilation andairborne contamination
DOE
Department of Energy (USA)
DosImetry
Determination of the dose of radiation(radioactivity) absorbed by a substanceor an individual through assessment or
measuring

FMBC
Federal Medical Biophysical Centre. Provides
technical support to the Russian FMBA
Foundation raft
Thick, reinforced concrete foundation
providing stable support
FP7
Seventh Framework Programme for researchand technological development (European
Union)
Fuel assembly
Bundle of fuel rods assembled in a metal
structure, used in nuclear reactors

ERMSAR
European Review Meeting on Severe
Accident Research
ETSON
European Technical Safety Organisations
Network_D_F

EURATOM
European atomic energy community
Eurosafe
International conference co-organizedby IRSN and its German and Belgian
counterparts, GRS and Bel V, to promote
the standardization of technical safety
practices in Europe_G
GALICEManagement system featuring a limited
increase in fuel irradiation during operation
Gamma radiation (symbolized as "γ")Electromagnetic radiation with highpenetration but low ionization, emitted
during the transformation of radionuclides.
Protection is provided by concrete or lead
screens
GP MedRadiation protection standing committee
for medical and forensic applications ofionizing radiation

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ GLOSSAry

91

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST UVW XY Z

GP RadRadiation protection standing committee
for industrial and research applications ofionizing radiation
GRS
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- undReaktorsicherheit (German technical safety
organization)
GWd/tFuel burnup unit. Gigawatt-hours per
metric ton of fuel. Commonly used unit ofmeasure giving the level of irradiation offuel assemblies, expressed as energy output
by the assembly in the reactor per ton of
the initial uranium_I
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
ICRP
International Commission on Radiation
Protection
Ifremer
Institut français de recherche pourl’exploitation de la mer (French research
institute for exploitation of the sea)

HAO
High activity oxide workshop at
the UP2-400 plant in La Hague
HCTISN
Haut comité pour la transparence etl’information sur la sécurité nucléaire
(French high committee for transparency
and information on nuclear safety)
HLEG
High-level Expert Group on European
low-dose research

92 GLOSSAry _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

ITER
International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor_KkV
KiloVolt

INB
Basic nuclear installation
INBS
Basic nuclear installation classified asconfidential for defense purposes

_H

ISTP
International Source Term Program

INERIS
Institut national de l’environnement
industriel et des risques (French national
institute for the study of industrial
environments and risks)
INRS
Institut national de recherche et de sécurité(French national institute for research on
safety)InVSInstitut national de veille sanitaire (Frenchnational institute for health surveillance)
Isotopes
Elements whose atoms have the same
number of electrons and protons, but adifferent number of neutrons. Designatedby the same name, they display the samechemical properties. There are currently 325
known natural isotopes and 1,200 artificial
isotopes_L
LRQA
Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd.,a certification organization_M
M5®
Type of fuel cladding used in pressurizedwater reactors, with alloy developed by
Areva
Medical device vigilance system
Monitoring of incidents and incident
risks that may result from the use ofcommercially available medical devices.
It accompanies the implementation of newrules on marketing medical devices adopted
by the Member States of the European
Union
MELODIE
Modèle d’Évaluation à LOng termedes Déchets Irradiants Enterrés (model for
long-term assessment of buried radioactive
waste)

Nuclear fuelMaterial 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”

PHÉBUS
Experimental reactor_O

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

PSA
Probabilistic Safety Assessment

OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development

PSI
Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen (Switzerland)mSv (milliSievert)
Unit of equivalent dose used in
the international system

OPCW
Organisation for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons

MWe
Megawatt electric

ONERA
Office national d’études et de recherchesaérospatiales (French national office ofaerospace studies and research)

MOX
Fuel made from (natural or depleted)uranium and plutonium oxidemGy (milliGray)
Unit of radiation absorbed dose used in
the international system

NPP
Nuclear power plant
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USA)PROTECT
Protection of the environment from ionizing
radiation in a regulatory context

PUI
Internal emergency plan

_R
Radioelement
Natural or artificial radioactive element
Radionuclide
Radioactive isotope of an element_N
NEA
Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD)

PRISME
Fire propagation in elementary, multipleenclosure scenarios_P
PATRICIA
Loop for the study of thermal-hydraulicmaterials related to propulsion reactors
(CEA)

NRPA
Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority

PBMR
Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, hightemperature reactor technology and nameof the company that designed it

NSRR
Nuclear Safety Research Reactor (Japan)

PCR
Radiation protection specialist

Radiation protection
Any action taken to protect the population
and workers against sources of ionizing
radiation
RNR-NaFast breeder reactor cooled using sodium
ROSIRIS
Research program on the radiobiology
of integrated systems for optimizing
treatment using ionizing radiation andassessing the associated risk

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ GLOSSAry

93

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST UVW XY Z_SSARNET
Severe Accident Research NETwork of
excellence, a European research project tostudy core meltdown accidents on water
reactors
SCANAIR
Computer system developed by IRSN for
analyzing injection reactivity accidents
SESAME4
Accident situation progression plan andassessment methods, an information
system developed by IRSN for its
emergency response center
SIGIS
Système d’Information et de gestion
de l’inventaire national des sources derayonnements ionisants (French information
system used to manage the national
inventory of radioactive sources)

TSO
Technical Safety Organisation

Zircaloy-4
Alloy used for fuel assemblies in pressurizedwater reactors_U
UF6
Uranium hexafluoride
UJVÚstav Jaderného Výzkumu Rež a.s. (Czech
nuclear safety research institute)
UNSCEAR
United Nations Scientific Committee on
the Effects of Atomic Radiation_V

SISERI
Information system for monitoring
exposure to ionizing radiation

VTT
Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus(engineering research center in Finland)

SNETP
Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology
Platform

VVER or WWER
Vodo Vodianoï Energetitcheskyi Reactor or
Water-Water Energetic Reactor. Russiandesign reactors that operate along thesame principle as Western pressurized water
reactors

SSM
Swedish radiation safety authority

_T
TACIS
Technical Assistance for the Commonwealthof Independent States (European program)

94 GLOSSAry _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

_Z

_W
WHO
World Health Organization

Zirlo
Alloy developed by Westinghouse

For more information,
consult the online glossaryat www.irsn.org

E ditorial and production coordination
Strategy, Development and External Relations Division, with support from Anne-Marie Girardin (TroisCube)
Steering Committee
Michel Bouvet
Michel Baudry
Patrice Deschamps
Emmanuelle Mur

François Rollinger
Édouard Scott de Martinville
Yves Souchet
Sylvie Supervil

Editorial Committee
Supervision and coordination: Emmanuelle Mur & Sylvie Supervil
Jocelyne Aigueperse
Agnès Dumas
Françoise Bretheau
Dominique Franquard
Stéphanie Clavelle
Bernard Goudal
Patrick Cousinou
Jean Jalouneix
Jean Couturier
Pascale Monti
Aleth Delattre
Jean-Luc Pasquier
Didier Demeillers
Christine Tharaud
Bruno Dufer
Written by
IRSN, with support from Camille Jaunet (La Clé des mots) and Jean-Christophe HÉdouin (HIME)
Graphic Design and Production

Translation
Provence Traduction
Printed by
Idéale Prod
Photo credits
Front cover: Olivier Seignette – Michael Lafontan – Corbis/Photo division/bilderlounge – Corbis/Pixland
Antoine Devouard: pages 27, 36, 71 and 75 _ Areva/Nicolas Petitot: pages 39, 40, 41 and 51
Areva/Jean-Marie Taillat: pages 66 and 76 _ BARC: page 8 _ Birp/BSPP: page 68
CEA: pages 23, 38, 40, 42, 50 and 53
European Commission, Directorate General for Energy and Transport: page 64
Corbis/Gregor Schuster/zefa, Corbis/Courtesy of the US Geological Survey, Corbis/Fancy/Veer: pages 20-21
Corbis/Sie Productions/zefa: pages 80-81 _ Dean Calma/IAEA: page 67
EDF Médiathèque/Sperber Aldo: page 36 _ EDF Médiathèque/W. Beaucardet: pages 70 and 40
EDF Médiathèque/W. Beaucardet - Alexandr Vlassyuk: page 10 _ EDF Médiathèque/S. Bollendorff: page 40
EDF Médiathèque/Rolland Christophe: page 35 _ EDF Médiathèque/D. Marc: page 69
EDF Médiathèque/M. Monteaux: page 46 _ EDF Médiathèque/A. Morin: page 37
Fotolia.com: pages 10 (Alexandr Vlassyuk) and 59 (Joël Fournier)
Ineris: page 43 _ IRSN: pages 23, 25, 29, 42, 47, 48, 62, 67, 72, 75, 77 and 85
Karen Eliot: page 28 _ Laurent Stéfano: page 76 _ Les films Roger Leenhardt (Andra): page 9
French Navy: pages 18, 49 and 51 _ Noak/Le Bar Floréal: pages 62 and 79
Olivier Seignette – Michael Lafontan: pages 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 26, 28, 30, 32-33, 36, 45-46, 51, 54, 55,
57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 65, 71, 73, 74, 75, 82, 85, 87, 88 and 89 _ Photothèque MIN Rungis: pages 9 and 24
Stéphane Jungers: pages 38, 44, 47 and 57 _ Tiphaine Lanvin: page 22

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© IRSNISSN No.: 1762-0600

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ GLOSSAry95

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2008
A n n u a l Re p o r tContents
Management report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Balance sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Income statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Income statement subtotals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Budget vs actual report .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2008 Financial ReportManagement report
1 _General Outlook
The year 2008 focused on deployment

Lastly, the Board of Directors was renewedof the Medium- and Long-term Manage-

and a new president nominated.

• continued, gradual building of a fundallocated to financing future costs for
dismantling and remediation, the total

ment Plan, prepared in concert with allof IRSN’s partners. Important milestones

The initial 2008 budget was modifed bycost of which is currently being revised.

were reached in terms of our economic

an amendment (DM1) presented to the

The result of this revision will be incor-

objectives:

Board of Directors in June to take into

porated in 2009 accounts by updating• special measures were taken to allocate

account the following:

the provision created for this purpose€5 million to the fund for remediation• investment projects in progress carried

and adjusting the corresponding dis-and dismantling of nuclear facilities,

over from 2008, representing €19.6 mil-following the decision to shut down thelion, paid into working capital when ac-

Phébus experimental reactor;

counts were closed in 2007;

mantling asset.
All of these investments were not com-• investment was pursued to renew and• adjustment of the grant allocated by thepleted during the fiscal year, and a proposal

optimize environmental monitoring

Ministry of Ecology, concerning bothto carry over €10.2 million for operations

equipment and to acquire mobile units

the change in the precautionary reservein progress will be proposed in a budget

for emergency response operations;level, and Amendment II 23 voted by theamendment to modify the projected

National Assembly;

revenue and expenditure statement for• state property located in Fontenay-auxRoses, referred to as "the Annex", was• a change in expediture for the Cabri

recorded in the Institute’s accounts,

project, financed by drawing from therepresenting a total surface area of

Institute’s working capital;

2009.
The accounts closed in 2008 recorded two

33,227 m , subsequent to the grant• beginning of dismantling of the Phébus

attributed by the government on No-

reactor, which revealed the need to ac-on the income statement:

vember 29, 2006, published officiallycelerate financing for remediation and• the Fontenay-aux-Roses site was addedon December 29, 2006.

dismantling of nuclear facilities.

2

exceptional operations that had no impact

to the Institute’s assets, representing a
grant for a value of €4.2 million (seeabove);In another area, an employee profit-

Budget execution in 2008 involved a vast

sharing agreement was signed in 2008

investment program totaling €42.9 mil-• a n unallocated grant of €8.8 million

with labor unions representing Institutelion, including operations carried overappearing on the transfer balance sheet

personnel. According to the terms of thefrom the previous year, which covered

when IPSN became IRSN, was trans-

agreement, the first payment will be madethe following:ferred to reserves.

in June 2009.

• the final phase of changing the technology
used in worker dosimetry monitoring;• continuation of the equipment renewal
program (mobile emergency units, national monitoring and measurement
system, etc.) and upgrading of the Cabri
reactor (IRSN equipment);

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ FINANCIAL REPORT

3

2008 Financial Report

2 _Budget Balance
Execution
2006(1) 2007(2) 2008(3) Difference(in € millions)				
2008/2007
Total resources 306.9

298.4

255.2

–­14.4%

Total expenditure 301.7

265.8

281.2

+5.8%

Balance

+32.6

–26.0

–179.8%+5.2

Budget execution in 2008, as in previ-

In spite of the special operations involv-

ous years, shows a budget balance that

ing a value-added tax adjustment andappears to be magnified by the €10.2

the fund dedicated to dismantling, which

million in investments carried over, minus

distort the budget comparison, the year

the impact of the net withdrawal of €15

2008 can be characterized as follows:

million from this year’s grant. Recalculat-• results match the balance figures given

ing to take into account these operationsin the projected revenue and expendi-

Results for 2006 include €31 million in dismantling expenditure balanced by a provision for the same amountin revenue.

gives the following results:

ture statement approved by the Board

Results for 2007 include VAT, increasing resources by€9 million and decreasing expenditure by €12 million, fora total impact on the balance of €21 million.

Recalculated execution 		(in € millions)

2007

2008

• a budget execution rate of 92.5% (com-Balance			

+32.6

–26.0

pared to 93.1% in 2007), i.e. a difference

2006 carryover			

+15.2

-

of €24.4 million, of which €10.2 million

2007 carryover			

–19.6

+19.6

corresponds to an offset in the execution(1)of Directors;(2)

Fiscal year 2008 shows an exceptional reduction of€15 million, corresponding to reconciliation of the€20 million VAT adjustment on one hand, and a special
surplus of €5 million added to the dismantling fund on
the other.
(3)2008 carryover			

-

–10.2

of certain investments. Not includingSpecial operations			

–21.0

+15.0

these offsets, the budget execution rate

	Net balance			

+2.2

–1.6

would be 95.6%.

3 _Income Statement Analysis
3.1 _Revenue
Execution
2006 2007 2008 Difference(in € millions)				
2008/2007

total in government grants received for• €3.3million from the agreement signed

Budget Program 189 reached €212.6 mil-with the Ministry of Defense as part oflion, of which €21.2 million was recorded

Budget Program 212, the same level

Sales

35.1

31.8

31.8

0%

as a capital grant. The difference with theas in 2007;

Grants

233.4

190.6

195.5

+2.6%

grant appearing in the initial Budget Act• €0.7

million from other subsidies, in-

Other operating 3.3
revenue

22.7

3.9–82.8%

was the result of a €15 million reduction

cluding local government authorities, as

Operations
sub-total

245.1

231.2

–5.7%

allowed to adjust the value-added tax

compared with €0.8 million in 2007;

recorded the previous year, to the amount• €31.8
million of self-generated revenueof €20 million, minus an additional al-

from consultancy services, co-funding

lowance granted to accelerate financing

of research programs, or other services,

271.8

Investment income 1.6

4.0

3.7

–7.5%

Extraordinary
revenue

2.0

33.4

6.4

–80.8%

	Total

275.3

282.5

241.3

–14.5%of the fund dedicated to remediation> Operating revenue dropped by €13.9 mil-and dismantling of nuclear facilities. This• €3.9
million in other operating revenue

lion (–5,7%) in comparison with the previ-

operation occurred too late in the year(€22.7 million in 2007), equivalent toous fiscal year, reaching €231.2 million,

to be invested, so the €5 million for this2006. This amount includes fees paid forwith:special fund was accounted for in working

industrial property (€0.1 million, steady),• €191.4
million from the public service

capital and will be recorded differently

other operating income (€0.6 million,in the 2009 budget;

declining) resulting from adjustments

grant paid by the Ministry of Ecology. The

4 FINANCIAL REPORT _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

steady as compared to 2007;

made in previous years, as well as write-• p ersonnel charges decreased by 1.3%

backs on depreciation and provisions

to €110.4 million. This reduction is the(€3.3 million). The sharp decline in the

result of controlled pay rises combined

last item is explained by the fact thatwith the considerable structural impact

early retirement expenses entailed byof new recruits who joined the Institutethe Capron agreement and risks related

during the year. This recruiting effort,

to the Institute’s financial situation withparticularly strong at the beginning ofregards to the business tax no longer

the year, is explained by tension on theThis table breaks down the year’s outside

appeared in this year’s budget.

job market in the nuclear sector, as theexpenses, which amount to €116.1 mil-Execution
2006 2007 2008 Difference(in € millions)				
2008/2007
60 - Purchases

68.0

55.0

62.9

+14.4%

61 - Outsideservices

39.3

36.9

35.4

–4.1%

62 - Other
18.2
outside services

15.3

17.8

+16.3%

	Total

107.2

116.1

+8.3%

125.5

construction of new power plants islion. It highlights the following:> Financial income, which reachedexpected to stimulate activity on both• t he steep rise in Purchases (Item 60)€3.7 million, was slightly lower than in

the domestic and international market.

and Other outside services (Item 62),

2007 (–€0.3 million).

A large number of employees also re-up by 14.4% and 16.3% respectively,

tired in 2007 (through the Capron agree-

resulting mainly from growth in activ-> Extraordinary revenue declined sig-ment), entailing extraordinary charges

ity (subcontracting to CEA, temporarynificantly to €6.4 million, compared toamounting to roughly €2 million. In spite€33.4 million in 2007. It consisted mainlyof the economic downturn, at the end• the slight decline in Outside servicesof capital grants recorded in the incomeof the year the workforce totaled 1,478(Item 61), down by 4.1%, explained bystatement to the amount of €6.2 million.

employees on permanent contracts,

efforts to control costs on operations in-

The exceptional peak recorded in 2007 wasslightly higher than the 1,476 employees

cluded under this heading, not directly

due to tax adjustments.

recorded at the end of 2007;

involved in carrying out the Institute’s• taxes amounted to €12.4 million, downby €1 million, due to the declining tax

3.2 _Expenditure

employees, etc.);

mission (general subcontracting, maintenance, rentals, etc.).

base for the employment tax;
• d epreciation rose by 6.1%, reaching> Financial charges progressed from

Execution
2006 2007 2008 Difference(in € millions)				
2008/2007€17.5 million, whereas provisions, al-€0.4 million to €0.7 million due to inter-

Purchases

125.5

107.2

116.1

+8.3%

located mainly to the employee profit-

est paid on loans (€7.2 million + €4.8 mil-Personnel

109.6

111.9

110.4

–1.3%

sharing plan, increased by €1.1 million

lion + €5.6 million + €2 million) to finance

Taxes

11.1

13.4

12.4

–7.5%

compared to 2007;

the Institute’s new headquarters and new

Depreciation

15.3

16.5

17.5

+6.1%

• purchasing of goods and services rose

dosimetry technology, along with losses

Provisions

7.0

0.3

1.4

+366.7%significantly by €8.9 million (up 8.3%)

on currency exchange operations, in par-Others

1.0

1.6

1.2

–25.0%

to €116.1 million, essentially due toticular those involving the Japanese yen

Operations
sub-total

269.5

250.9

259.0

+3.2%

finalization of work on the Cabri ex-

and the American dollar.

Financialcharges

0.3

0.4

0.7

+75.0%

Extraordinary
charges

0.6

0.3

0.3

-

	Total

270.5

251.6

260.0

+3.3%

perimental reactor and increased subcontracting in "core activities" to sup-> Extraordinary charges remained steadyport growing demand for assessmentat €0.3 million.

services on behalf of ASN;
• other expenses represented €1.2 million,> Operating expenses for the year amount-as opposed to €1.6 million in 2007.

ed to €259 million, up by €8.1 million, or+3.2%. This variation was concentrated
mainly in purchases, and breaks down as
follows:

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ FINANCIAL REPORT

5

2008 Financial Report

4 _Results and Financing
Execution
2006 2007 2008 Difference(in € millions)				
2008/2007
Result

4.9

31.0

–18.7

–160.3%

Cash provided
by operations

22.4

26.7

–9.3

–134.8%

Variation
5.2
in working capital

32.6

–26.0

–179.7%

financial income and a €4-million riseThis €9.3-million deficit in cash was com-in extraordinary revenue (write-back on

pensated by the following payments:

capital grants);• o ut side resources ( €2.3 million),• a decrease in charges estimated atincluding a €2.1-million loan to finance€19.6 million, resulting from a combined

deployment of the new dosimetr ydrop in personnel charges and purchases

technology;

for a total amount of €19.6 million, with• the portion of the public service grant> The net balance for the year shows afluctuations in other items cancelling

paid by the Ministry for Ecology allocat-

deficit of €18.7 million, as compared toeach other out. Part of this operatinged to capital grants (€21.2 million).

profits of €31 million in 2007. The differ-budget, amounting to €4.6 million, was

The resulting total resources only covered

ence between the revised forecast in thetransferred to the investment budget.

part of investment and financial charges,
which amounted to €40.1 million. The ad-budget amendment, predicting a deficit of€25.8 million, and the accounts at clos-> Cash provided by operations, budgeted

ditional €26 million required for financing
was drawn from working capital.

ing on December 31, 2008 is €7 million,at –€14.3 million in the budget amend-

which is explained by a favorable balance

ment, reached –€ 9.3 million, a positive

between:difference of €5 million, resulting from:

Investment projects in progress, for a• a decline in income estimated at• a €7-million improvement in income;total amount of €45.4 million, includ-€12.6 million, resulting from the• a n increase in the portion of capitaling the €4.6 million transferred from the€15-million reduction in the publicgrants included in the income state-

operating budget, were executed up toservice grant allocated by the Minis-

ment, representing €3.7 million,

77.5% (€35.2 million). The difference oftry for Ecology on one hand, and the• a depreciation differential of €1.4 million;€10.2 million was carried over to fiscal€2.6 million of revenue generated by• a decline in provision write-back s

year 2009, which will be proposed in thethe Institute on the other, partially com-

amounting to €0.3 million.

2009 budget amendment.

pensated by a €1-millon increase in

5 _Balance Sheet Analysis
5.1 _Liabilities

reaching €76.2 million. Given the ad-> Short- and medium-term debt, for the> During the period, two adjustments wereditional capital grant recorded (see para.

amount of €106.2 million, as opposed

made to "Allowances", the first being the

3.1 above), this item rose by €14.9 million.

to €87.8 million in 2007, rose due to the€8.8 million allowance transferred from

Since contingency and loss provisions wereincrease in accounts payable to suppli-

CEA accounts to "Reserves", and the sec-

reduced to €1.9 million, the Institute’sers (up by €20.3 million). The rest of theond being the Fontenay-aux-Roses site

long-term capital declined only slightly

variation is explained by reimbursement

written into the Institute’s assets to theto €161.7 million, as compared to theof existing loans (–€0.8 million), tax andamount of €4.2 million. After recording€163.2 million figure of 2007.

social liabilities (+€0.3 million), other li-

these movements, with an €18.7-million

abilities (–€0.7 million) and prepaid in-loss, the net result was down by 16.1%,

come (–€0.7 million).

6 FINANCIAL REPORT _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

5.2 _Assets> Current assets receded to €132.3 mil-> Fixed assets increased to €135.6 million

lion, compared to €139.1 million in 2007,

receivables" for €4.7 million and a drop

(up by €23.7 million), due to continued

subsequent to clearing tax debt, whichof €2.7 million in advances on orders.

renewal of IRSN facilities and equipment,

amounted to €41 million last year, for VAT

and incorporation of the Fontenay-aux-

payable for the period from 2005 to 2007,

Roses site in the Institute’s assets (seecounterbalanced by a €23-million risepara. 5.1 above).

in liquidities. The rest of this fluctuationconsists essentially of a rise in "customer

Conclusion> The 2008 budget was executed within

mediation and dismantling fund, €1.2 mil-to shut down the Phébus experimental

the forecasted budget balance presented

lion for the employee profit-sharing plan

reactor, confirmed by the Atomic Energy

to the Board of Directors.

and €10.2 million for carryover of invest-

Committee. The first exceptional contri-

ment projects in progress. The last twobution of €5 million was carried out in> Liquidity movements decided after re-operations are movements that will be2008 to finance work planned for 2009.

vising the Institute’s fiscal situation haveincorporated in the 2009 budget amend-

The remaining amount to be financed

now been completed, with the withdrawal

ment, the withdrawal for the special re-to cover work in 2010, 2011 and 2012

recorded at the end of 2008.

mediation fund appearing already in theis currently estimated at €20.5 million,

initial budget.

which will require another exceptional> The withdrawal from working capital

contribution as soon as possible.

amounted to €26 million, which includes> The contribution to the dismantling andwithdrawals spread out throughout 2009

remediation fund, set at €1.1 million every

representing €5 million for the special re-

year, is now insufficient, given the decision

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ FINANCIAL REPORT

7

2008 Financial Report

Balance sheet
ASSETSIn euros				
		

2008

2007

2006

Gross	Depreciation	Net	Net	Net			& provisions

Intangible assets 		

15,180,181.45

11,925,797.14

3,254,384.31

2,136,430.05

2,618,231.40

Tangible assets		

216,343,972.77

89,084,222.56

127,259,750.21

106,598,815.35

94,405,259.93

Financial assets 		

5,115,702.80-

5,115,702.80

3,158,525.44

2,139,011.49

Fixed assets 		

236,639,857.02

101,010,019.70

135,629,837.32

111,893,770.84

99,162,502.82

Inventory and work in progress		

-

-

-

-

-

Prepayments andadvances on orders		

431,094.07-

431,094.07

3,200,128.34

142,937.41

Accounts receivable		

46,732,526.49

22,992.36

46,709,534.13

73,808,863.09

26 478,214.01

customer receivables		

30,520,429.27

22,992.36

30,497,436.91

25,816,309.97

24,546,800.04

related receivables		

16,212,097.22-

16,212,097.22

47,992,553.12

1,931,413.97

Other receivables 		

3,689.80-

3,689.80

45,159.22-

Investment securities		

75,854,958.53-

75,854,958.53

49,913,075.86

85,092,342.32

Cash		

9,297,888.40-

9,297,888.40

12,140,939.23

5,254,892.15

Prepaid expenses						Current assets		

132,320,157.29

22,992.36

132,297,164.93

139,108,165.74

116,968,385.89

GRAND TOTAL		

368,960,014.31

101,033,012.06

267,927,002.25

251,001,936.58

216,130,888.71

49.4%

50.6%

AssetsFixed assets �135.6 million
Current assets �132.3 million

32.2%

50%
0.1%
11.5%
6.2%

8 FINANCIAL REPORT _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents �85.2 million
Prepayments �0.4 million
Customer receivables �30.5 million
Other receivables �16.2 million
Current assets �132.3 million

LIABILITIESIn euros		

2008

2007

2006

Allowances		

4,183,945.65

8,782,859.59

8,782,859.59

Reserves		

90,783,098.42

51,083,266.14

46,222,746.95

Retained earnings		

-

-

-

Fiscal year profit or loss 		­–18,724,287.79

30,963,852.03

4,860,519.19

Net position 		76,242,756.28

90,829,977.76

59,866,125.73

Capital grants 		

50,013,274.68

35,091,137.98

6,547,264.28

Equity		126,256,030.96

125,921,115.74

66,413,390.01

Contingency provision 		

1,978,000.00

2,109,000.00

2,013,000.00

Provision for taxes due 		

177,000.00

177,000.00

15,375,369.57

Loss provision 		

33,294,000.00

35,011,000.00

38,285,000.00

Contingency and loss provision 		

35,449,000.00

37,297,000.00

55,673,369.57

Bank borrowings 		

14,429,135.32

15,183,905.42

11,012,752.99

Various debts and liabilities 		

190.50190.50190.50Prepayments and advances on orders		

--2,432,850.45

Trade notes and accounts payable 		

58,826,534.14

41,835,202.76

44,716,299.49

Tax and social liabilities 		

24,015,522.27

23,748,397.96

24,085,228.42

Other operating liabilities 		

-130,669.38-

Payables to fixed asset suppliers and related accounts 		

7,197,842.14

3,845,582.51

9,042,920.05

Other liabilities		

1,752,746.92

2,373,871.64

2,753,887.23

Prepayments and accrued income 		-

666,000.67-

Liabilities		

106,221,971.29

87,783,820.84

94,044,129.13

GRAND TOTAL 		

267,927,002.25

251,001,936.58

216,130,888.71

21.9%

47.1%

Long-term capital

15.3%

22.6%

Net position �76.2 million
Capital grant �50 million
Provisions �35.5 million

Liabilities
Tax and social liabilities �24 million
Trade payables �66 million
Other liabilities �16.2 million

31%
62.1%

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ FINANCIAL REPORT

9

2008 Financial Report

Income statement
In euros		

2008

2007

2006

Research work		

11,165,866.34

11,600,446.57

12,331,633.33

Service contracts		

14,937,300.43

14,965,765.23

17,816,377.00

Other services provided		

5,720,848.65

5,281,978.47

4,946,515.75

Net revenue		

31,824,015.42

31,848,190.27

35,094,526.08

Operating grants 		

195,447,206.52

190,599,016.47

233,413,984.22

Write-backs on depreciation and provisions		

3,270,980.62

18,653,925.36

2,770,683.10

Expense transfer		

128,863.34

206,282.73

24,721.71

Other income		

553,067.57

3,782,854.33

457,815.11

Operating income 		

231,224,133.47

245,090,269.16

271,761,730.22

Outside expenses for the fiscal year		

116,148,653.80

107,093,251.77

125,464,361.29

Taxes, duties, and similar payments 		

12,373,634.74

13,397,986.18

11,117,320.62

Personnel expenses 		

110,426,772.00

111,865,157.14

109,618,595.41

Depreciation & provisions		

18,924,712.32

16,806,211.72

22,295,556.87

Other expenses 		

1,179,411.04

1,618,502.86

1,053,293.40

Operating expenses 		

259,053,183.90

250,781,109.67

269,549,127.59

Operating income		

–27,829,050.43–5,690,840.51

2,212,602.63

-

-

-

Other interest income

24,566.87

26,907.87

52,762.66

Foreign exchange gains

38,754.50

11,803.62

12,011.51

3,627,624.62

4,013,420.35

1,506,850.89

From controlled entities

Gains on sales of short-term investments
Investment income

3,690,945.99

4,052,131.84

1,571,625.06

Interest expense

564,466.81

347,426.62

319,792.03

Foreign exchange losses

153,739.95

77,998.99

3,627.22---

718,206.76

425,425.61

323,419.25

2,972,739.23

3,626,706.23

1,248,205.81–24,856,311.20–2,064,134.28

3,460,808.44-

500.00-Losses on sales of short-term investments
Financial charges
Financial income
Income before exceptional items		
Gains on sales of assets
Capital grants recorded in fiscal year’s income statement

6,286,126.30

2,427,906.30

1,958,340.98

Capital grants strictly for the period

46,879.34

143,500.00

28,163.26

In operations

88,447.78

30,803,312.89

26,822.62

6,421,453.42

33,375,219.19

2,013,326.86

In operations

222,636.97

311,692.69

263,442.72

Book value of assets sold and other capital losses

66,793.04

35,540.19

350,173.39

-

-

-

Extraordinary charges		

289,430.01

347,232.88

613,616.11

Extraordinary income		

Extraordinary revenue 		

Depreciation & provisions

6,132,023.41

33,027,986.31

1,399,710.75

Minimum tax on corporations

-

-

-

Income tax		

-

-

-

Fiscal year income		

–18,724,287.79

30,963,852.03

4,860,519.19

10 FINANCIAL REPORT _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

Income statement subtotals
CAPTIONS		

31/12/2008%

31/12/2007

31/12/2006

Sales		

31,824,015.42

14.00%

31,848,190.27

35,094,526.08+Operating grants		

195,447,206.52

86.00%

190,599,016.47

233,413,984.22

FISCAL YEAR PRODUCTION		

227,271,221.94

100.00222,447,206.74

268,508,510.30–Outside expenses		

116,148,653.80

51.11%

107,093,251.77

125,464,361.29

ADDED VALUE		

111,122,568.14

48.89%

115,353,954.97

143,044,149.01–Taxes		

12,373,634.74

5.44%

13,397,986.18

11,117,320.62–Personnel expenses		

110,426,772.00

48.59%

111,865,157.14

109,618,595.41

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION		

–11,677,838.60–5.14%–9,909,188.35

22,308,232.98+Write-backs, expense transfer		

3,399,843.96

1.50%

18,860,208.09

2,795,404.81+Other income		

553,067.57

0.24%

3,782,854.33

457,815.11–Depreciation & provisions		

18,924,712.32

8.33%

16,806,211.72

22,295,556.87+Write-back on capital grants		

6,286,126.30

2.77%

2,571,406.30

1,986,504.24–Other expenses		

1,179,411.04

0.52%

1,618,502.86

1,053,293.40

OPERATING INCOME		

–21,542,924.13–9.48%–3,119,434.21

4,199,106.87+Investment income		

3,690,945.99

1.62%

4,052,131.84

1,571,625.06–Financial charges		

718,206.76

0.32%

425,425.61

323,419.25

BEFORE INCOME TAXES		

–18,570,184.90–8.17%

507,272.02

5,447,312.68+Extraordinary revenue		

135,327.12

0.06%

30,803,812.89

26,822.62–Extraordinary charges		

289,430.01

0.13%

347,232.88

613,616.11

EXTRAORDINARY INCOME		

–18,724,287.79–8.24%

30,456,580.01–586,793.49–Income tax		

-

-

-

-

FISCAL YEAR RESULT		

–18,724,287.79–8.24%

30,963,852.03

4,860,519.19

OPERATING INCOME BEFORE INTEREST,INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Income in detail (in �M)

Operating income (in �M)
191.5

231.2

Operating income

245.1

Ministry for Ecology grant

176.5
3.3

3.7

Investment income

4
6.4

0

10

0.7

Extraordinary revenue

33.4
100

Ministry of Defense grant

3.3

Other grants

10.8
31.8

1,000

Own revenue

31.8

2008

2007
3.9

Other

22.7
0

10

2008

100

1,000

2007

Annual Report IRSN 2008 _ FINANCIAL REPORT

11

2008 Financial Report

Budget vs actual
report
INCOME STATEMENT in euros		
REVENUE2008 Budget

2008 Actual		Service contract sales 		

34,830,178.00

31,824,015.42

Government grants 		

210,211,344.00

195,447,206.52

Other operating revenue

2,830,000.00

4,508,204.02

Internal operations

6,025,690.00

9,557,106.92

253,897,212.00

241,336,532.88

Personnel expenses

121,856,255.00

110,426,772.00

Other operating expenses

141,140,305.00

130,643,930.40

Internal operations

17,500,000.00

18,990,118.27--

280,496,560.00

260,060,820.67--

RESULT (LOSS)

26,599,348.00

18,724,287.79

TOTAL INCOME STATEMENT BALANCE	

280,496,560.00

260,060,820.67

2008 Budget

2008 Actual–26,599,348.00–18,724,287.79-

65 405.95

17,500,000.00

18,924,712.32–Gains from offsetting depreciation-

46 879.34–Portion of grants recorded in result

2,500,000.00

6,242,826.30–Write-backs on depreciation and provisions

3,525,690.00

3,270,980.62

	­–15,125,038.00–9,294,855.78

2008 Budget

2008 Actual–15,125,038.00–9,294,855.78

Acquisition of tangible and intangible assets		

40,755,509.00

35,163,169.38

Financial assets

2,136,800.00

2,107,438.88

Long-term debt paid

2,000,000.00

2,861,967.41--

TOTAL USES OF CASH	

60,017,347.00

49,427,431.45

Government capital grants

21,164,964.00

21,164,963.00

Other sources (excl. internal operations) 		

3,630,000.00

150,261.52

Increase in long-term debt

2,000,000.00

2,107,197.31

TOTAL SOURCES OF CASH	

26,794,964.00

23,422,421.83

CONTRIBUTION TO WORKING CAPITAL	

–33,222,383.00–26,005,009.62

TOTAL REVENUE	EXPENDITURE 		

Precautionary reserve
TOTAL EXPENDITURE	
RESULT (PROFIT)

Transfer of result to cash provided by operations in euros		
RESULT	+Loss on sale of assets+Depreciation & provisions

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONSSUMMARY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION in euros		
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONSDismantling assets

12 FINANCIAL REPORT _ Annual Report IRSN 2008

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