Management of areas polluted by radioactives substances: The updated French approach

Abstract

Abstract. Over the last 20 years, the French public services' actions in the field of polluted areas have continuously evolved from the inventory of potentially polluted areas to the statement of a general framework on the management. Initially designed for chemical pollutants, main guidelines have been implemented for radioactive substances. The general framework is presented hereafter and illustrated with a real example. CONTEXTIn the 90's, French administration developed a series of tools to set up an inventory of potentially polluted sites and to identify places requiring an immediate action. By early 2000s, such tools, initially designed for chemical pollution, were adapted to radioactive pollutants [1].Based on feedback gained over a decade, the revision of available tools was undertaken by the French Ministry of Ecology in 2006 to state a general framework on the management of polluted areas. Guidelines were published in a ministerial order in 2007, attesting public services' concerns and needs evolution from the establishment of the inventory of polluted sites and the selection of those requiring immediate actions to the definition of a methodology for their management [2].Considering radioactive pollution, France deals with sites inherited from nuclear research and development activities and the industry of radium or other radionuclides like tritium. For instance many working places associated with the storied history of Pierre and Marie Curie are still polluted by 226 Ra and progenies. Sites where former NORM and TENORM facilities were operated may also be considered as polluted area especially when residues were left over. The management of these areas has to be consistent with the general framework published by the ministry of Ecology in 2007.The French Institute for Radiological protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) was committed by the French Ministry of Ecology and the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) to establish guidelines on the management of areas polluted by radioactive substances. Requirements were: i) to fit with the published rules highlighting specifics of radioactive pollutants; ii) to take benefit from former radioactive polluted areas management; iii) to precisely define remediation objectives and iv) to develop stakeholders involvement issues.