The case of electrical generators of ionising radiation ASN has been responsible for the oversight of these devices since 2002, devices for which numerous administrative compliance actions are still required. In 2024 it granted 23 new licenses, 115 license renewals or updates and issued 135 registration decisions for the use of electrical devices emitting X-rays. ASN also delivered 716 notification acknowledgements for electrical generators of ionising radiation. As with radioactive sources, the large reduction in the number of licenses issued and, conversely, the significant increase in notification acknowledgements and issuing of the first registration decisions, are the direct consequence of the entry into effect of the abovementioned ASN resolutions 2018DC-0649 of 18 October 2018 and 2021DC-0703 of 4 February 2021. Altogether, 1,456 licences, 430 registrations and 9,785 notification acknowledgements for electrical devices emitting ionising radiation are in effect at the end of 2024. Graph 7 illustrates the development over the last few years. 3 Assessment of the radiation protection situation in applications involving radiation risks in the industrial, research and veterinary sectors 3.1 Industrial radiography Industrial radiography is a non-destructive inspection method that consists in obtaining an image of the material density of an object through which electromagnetic radiation is passed in the form of X-rays or gamma rays (gamma radiography). The image is obtained via a detector which can be a photographic silver film, a photostimulable screen with reusable memory or a set of digital detectors. Industrial radiography can be used in particular to assess defects in material uniformity, such as weld beads, or to check for fatigue. It is widely used in fabrication and maintenance operations in diverse industrial sectors such as boilermaking, petrochemicals, nuclear power plants, public works, aeronautics and armament. Radiography can be carried out in an indoor facility (in which case physical protection of the operators is ensured by the facility’s radiation protection features and safety devices) or in worksite conditions (in which case the work area must be marked out). 3.1.1 The different methods used Gamma radiography Gamma radiography devices usually contain high-activity sealed sources, mainly iridium-192, cobalt-60 or selenium-75, whose activity can reach about twenty terabecquerels. A gamma radiography device is usually a mobile device which can be moved from one worksite to another. It consists primarily of: ∙a source projector, which acts as a storage container and ensures radiological protection when the source is not in use; ∙a guide tube which guides the movement of the source up to the object to be examined; ∙and a remote control cable allowing remote manipulation by the operator. When the source is ejected out of the projector, the dose rates can reach several grays per hour at one metre from the source, depending on the radionuclide and its activity level. As a result of the activity of the sources and the movement of the sources outside the storage container when the device is being used, gamma radiography can entail significant risks for the operators in the event of incorrect use, failure to comply GRAPH 6 “User” licences, registrations and notifications for radioactive sources issued each year 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 New licenses Licence renewalsmodifications Cancellations Registrations Notifications Number of facilities 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 GRAPH 7 “User” licences, registrations and notifications for electrical generators of ionising radiation in effect over the last five years 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 Number of facilities Licenses Registrations Notifications 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 261 11 12 13 14 15 AP 10 09 Sources of ionising radiation and their industrial, veterinary and research applications 08 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
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