150 particle accelerators(2) which can be used in highly diverse areas such as: ∙research, which sometimes requires the coupling of several machines (accelerator, implanter, etc.); ∙radiography (fixed or mobile accelerator); ∙radioscopy of lorries and containers during customs checks (fixed-site or mobile accelerators); ∙modification of material properties; ∙sterilisation; ∙conservation of foodstuffs; ∙others. In the field of research, two synchrotron radiation production facilities can be mentioned in France: the ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) in Grenoble, and the Soleil (Optimised Source of Intermediate-Energy Light of the Lure Laboratory) synchrotron in Gif-sur-Yvette. Today one sees more and more particle accelerators used for research purposes and functioning on the principle of laserplasma interactions: these devices can generate beams of highly energetic particles (up to a few hundreds of MeV in some facilities) and over very short times, down to the femto second (10-15 second). 2. The number of devices has increased compared with the previous years, due notably to a more precise division of large installations into several sub-systems, each representing an accelerators (as is the case for the synchrotrons, for example). Particle accelerators have been used for several years now in France to fight fraud and large-scale international trafficking. This technology, which the operators consider effective, must however be used under certain specific conditions in order to comply with the radiation protection rules applicable to workers and the public, in particular: ∙a ban on activation of construction products, consumer goods and foodstuffs as specified by Article R. 1333-2 of the Public Health Code, by ensuring that the maximum energy of the particles emitted by the accelerators used excludes any risk of activation of the materials being verified; ∙a general ban on the use of ionising radiation on the human body for purposes other than medical; ∙the setting up of procedures to ensure that the checks conducted on the goods or transport vehicles do not lead to accidental exposure of workers or other individuals. The use of ionising technologies to seek out illegal immigrants in transport vehicles is prohibited in France. During customs inspections of trucks using tomographic techniques, for example, the drivers must be kept away from the vehicle and other checks must be performed prior to irradiation to detect the presence of any illegal immigrants, in order to avoid unjustified exposure of people during the inspection. 3.3.2 Evaluation of the radiation protection situation The use of particle accelerators presents significant radiation exposure risks for the workers; ASN is particularly attentive to these facilities and therefore inspects them regularly. Between 2022 and 2024, 45 facilities equipped with these devices were inspected by ASN, 16 of them in 2024. ASN considers the radiation protection situation in the facilities using these devices to be satisfactory on the whole. In effect, the key requirements for conducting this activity with a satisfactory level of radiation protection (organisation of radiation protection, informing and training, technical verifications, radiological zoning and design of the premises in which these devices are used) are appropriately implemented by the large majority of the licensees concerned. Nevertheless, the inspections have also highlighted areas for improvement on which ASN will remain vigilant: ∙compliance with the regulations concerning the frequency of technical verifications of radiation devices and associated equipment and the formalised processing of any nonconformities detected during these checks; GRAPH 10 Breakdown of particle accelerators by end‑purpose in 2024 0 7 14 21 28 35 1 6 10 Neutron analysis Other Surface treatment (including polymer cross-linking) Measuring instrument calibration Veterinary radiotherapy Ion implantation Logging Sterilisation Security inspection Design of accelerators with a view to selling them Non-destructive inspection Scientific research 2 2 2 4 5 3 3 3 34 Number of licensees 268 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 Sources of ionising radiation and their industrial, veterinary and research applications
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjQ0NzU=