Full report on the assessment audit coordinated by the IAEA published by ASN at www.asn.fr

The full report on the international IRRS (Integrated Regulatory Review Service) audit, carried out at the request of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) from 29 March to 3 April 2009, has just been submitted to the ASN. The hundred-page text provides supplementary details beyond the initial findings presented by the international experts at the end of the audit.

Continued operation of 900 MWe nuclear power plants: ASN has issued its first review following the third ten-year inspection at the Fessenheim and Tricastin plants

In May 2009, Reactor 1 at the Tricastin nuclear power plant in the Drôme département was shut down for four months for the “third ten-year inspection”.

Quarterly assessment of radiotherapy events, classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale, reported between 1 January and 31 March 2010

Twenty events, classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale, were reported between 1 January and 31 March 2010. Although these events are not expected to have any impact on patients' health, they are analysed to see if any lessons can be learnt from them (particularly in terms of organisation) and to avoid any recurrence.

ASN aims to reduce radon activity concentration in homes

ASN has just published and submitted to the French Government its report on the 2005-2008 action plan on radon-related risks (Radon Action Plan [1]). A second plan, currently being prepared, will focus primarily on reducing radon activity concentration in homes.

ASN issues its first conclusions on exposure to ionising radiation in professional activities implementing raw materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides not used because of their radioactive properties

Some industrial processes concentrate natural radionuclides contained in raw materials, manufactured products or production waste. ASN worked in collaboration with IRSN, the French National Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, to assess the exposure of workers and the population at large to this “technologically enhanced natural radioactivity” [1].

ASN has presented its report on “the status of nuclear safety and radiological protection in France in 2009” to the OPECST (II). All the major issues concerning nuclear safety and radiation protection in France and abroad were addressed during a high-level debate

ASN presented its report on “the status of nuclear safety and radiological protection in France in 2009” to the members of the French Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technical Choices (OPECST).

ASN has presented its report on "The State of Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection in France in 2009" to the French Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technical Choices (OPECST) (I)

The ASN Commission and its president, André-Claude Lacoste, today presented the ASN report on "The State of Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection in France in 2009" to Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technical Choices (OPECST).

Medical imaging: ASN is contributing to an international harmonisation of practices

At a colloquium organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1-3 March 2010, in which the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) participated, representatives of 23 international organisations and learned societies agreed on a "roadmap" aimed at both establishing international good practice guidelines for medical imaging issues and at facilitating their implementation. The "roadmap" also envisages monitoring and evaluation of the impact of this approach for the various clinical situations.

ASN has reclassified to level 2 the incident which occurred on 19 November 2009 in the irradiated fuel reprocessing plant (UP2 400) on the site at La Hague

On March 24, following a proposal by the operator, ASN reclassified to level 2 on the INES scale, the incident which occurred on 19 November 2009 in the MAU (Intermediate Level Uranium) workshop of nuclear facility no. 33, known as UP2-400, on the AREVA NC site at La Hague.

ASN publishes report on operating experience feedback from an interventional neuroradiology event at Strasbourg University Hospital with recommendations for improving radiation protection for patients

On 20 March 2009, Strasbourg University Hospital reported a greater than normal number of side effects in patients being treated in a radiology department for arteriovenous malformations in the brain. To gain further information, ASN performed investigations and assessments from which it derives conclusions in a report now available at its website, www.asn.fr.

Quarterly assessment of radiotherapy events, classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale, reported to the ASN between October 1 and December 31, 2009

Between October 1 and December 31, 2009, 15 radiotherapy events were classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale[1]. These events, not expected to have any impact on patients’ health, are nonetheless analysed so as to determine the consequences thereof (particularly in terms of organisation) and to prevent them from recurring.

ASN joins consulting launched by WENRA on safety objectives for new nuclear reactors

The Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA)[1] has published a report on safety objectives for new nuclear power reactors built in Europe. This report has been made public so that interested stakeholders may comment.

The launch of the website of the French National Network of Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring (RNM)

Study and monitoring of radioactivity levels found in the environment are essential for evaluating the impact of radioactive substances on human health, the environment and economic resources (especially water and agriculture).

Information notice No.7: Progress in ASN inspections of construction activities

During the second half of 2009, ASN continued its inspection activities on the Flamanville 3 EPR construction site.

Developing nuclear safety: ASN’s independence, international cooperation and European integration

On the occasion of the New Year, the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), through its president, Mr André-Claude Lacoste, presented his best wishes to the press on 19 January.