WRITTEN QUESTION P-2861/96 by Paul Lannoye (V) to the Commission (18 October 1996)

Subject: Radiological consequences of plutonium shipments

The increase in the number of shipments of plutonium, either pure or in mixtures (fresh MOX fuel), and of irradiated fuels could have significant radiological consequences for the population, nuclear workers and hauliers.. The IAEA Regulation on the safe transport of radioactive materials, which has been transposed into the legal systems of the different Member States, lays down a maximum level of radiation at the surface of containers and outer packaging of 2mSv/h, and of 0.1mSv/h at 2m from the same surface. Given that the new annual limits for the public and workers laid down by Directive 96/29/Euratom ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1. )) are 1mSv and 20mSv respectively, the exposure of the increasing numbers of people involved in the transportation of nuclear materials or spent fuels is clearly a potential cause for concern.

Has the Commission assessed the radiological impact, under normal circumstances, on the public and workers of the totality of shipments in the nuclear sector and the long-term trend in view of the expansion of the plutonium sector?

Has there been any assessment of the risk of an accident during a shipment of plutonium or of fresh combustible MOX with a release of plutonium, in particular in a disaster scenario?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1996)

The International atomic energy agency (IAEA) regulations on the safe transport of radioactive material ((IAEA Safety Series No 7. )) require that specific radiation levels at the surfaces of packages and in their proximity are not exceeded. The IAEA transport regulations are incorporated into the main international agreement on the various modes of transport. They are also enforced in Community legislation on transport of dangerous goods.

The dose limits for the exposure to ionizing radiation of workers and of members of the public in the Community are established by Council Directive 96/29/Euratom ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996. )) laying down the basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation. This Directive is to be implemented in the Member States before May 2000. It replaces Directive 80/836/Euratom ((OJ L 246, 17.9.1996. )) and reduces considerably the dose limits laid down by the latter.

There is no direct relationship between the specific radiation levels from the transport packages of radioactive material and the dose limits. The national authorities ensure that the operating procedures of the undertaking effecting the transport do not allow the relevant dose limits to be breached. They also ensure that all transport activities are conducted in compliance with the optimization principle set out by Directives 80/836/Euratom and 96/29/Euratom.

The IAEA regulations require transport packages to be approved by the national authorities. The procedure for approval includes a programme of tests to ensure an adequate level of protection in case of accident.

The Commission approved in April 1996 a communication on the transport of radioactive substances ((COM(96) 11 final. )). This annexed the third report to the Commission of the permanent working group on the safety on the transport of radioactive substances in the Community.