Occupational radiation exposure in the french nuclear industry: impact of 1990'S ICRP recommendations

摘要

The study addresses the issue of the impact the forthcoming regulations derived from ICRP 60 recommendations will have on radiological protection practices. A questionnaire has been sent to companies carrying out tasks involving exposures to ionizing radiation. 55 companies reported the exposures of their personnel (annual collective effective dose equivalent and distribution of individual doses). The reference year is 1991. Results were obtained for a total of 43789 workers, with a corresponding collective dose equivalent of 96 man.Sv and 1100 persons with individual dose in excess of 20 mSv (1800 in excess of 15 mSv). The major part of collective, as well as the higher individual exposures are found in subcontract companies involved in maintenance, cleaning and specialized tasks during reactor shutdown. Based on this inquiry, results have been extrapolated to the whole nuclear fuel cycle. 68000 workers are estimated to be exposed, with a total collective dose of 160 man.Sv. Among them 2200 workers would be exposed to dose equivalent in excess of 20 mSv, 3400 in excess of 15 mSv. Even if higher doses concern few people, they are associated with important tasks at particular steps of the fuel cycle. In the questionnaire, companies were asked for ways and means envisaged or already in use to keep these doses within present or tighter regulatory limits. Some account of the efforts to achieve this goal will be given. (Atomindex citation 26:037392)