Securing or restoring sites polluted by radioactivity
As part of a mission of general interest defined by the law of June 28, 2006, Andra ensures the restoration or the security of sites polluted by radioactivity, at the request of the owner, or of the public authorities in case faulty manager.
Most of these sites sheltered activities of the past, dating from the inter-war period, which did not concern the nuclear industry: extraction of radium for medicine or parapharmacy, manufacture and application of paints for vision nocturnal, mineral exploitation… After the war, the memory of these sites, generally located in urban areas, was lost and some of them were converted into housing or public buildings for example. Other sites, for their part, have been left fallow.
Since the end of the 90s, the State has gradually built up the system for taking charge of these sites. Priority was given to sites with proven and significant pollution. These sites (Isotopchim, Bayard, Orflam-plast, etc.) are today all cleaned up or undergoing remediation by Andra.
From 2007, with the creation of the National Commission of Aid in the Radioactive field (CNAR) decided by the board of directors of Andra, the remediation works of the orphan sites (whose responsible is faulty) were able be pursued in a more sustained manner.
What is a site polluted by radioactivity?
The interministerial circular of November 17, 2008 gives the following definition: "A radioactive pollution site means any site, abandoned or in operation, on which radioactive substances, natural or artificial, have been or are being handled or stored in conditions such that the site presents risks to health and / or the environment ". The pollution observed must be attributable to one or more radioactive substances, as defined by article L 542-1-1 of the environment code, namely any "substance that contains radionuclides, natural or artificial, including activity or concentration justifies radiation protection control ".
A polluted site is therefore characterized by the fact that it has housed radioactive substances whose effects are not compatible with the rules in force concerning public health and environmental protection. The definition therefore calls explicitly on the concept of health risk which depends directly on the use made of the site.
How does sanitation work?
Once a potentially polluted site has been identified (based on field observations, testimonies, bibliographic research, etc.), the IRSN (The Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety) proceeds to a diagnosis aimed at detecting possible radioactive contamination. If it turns out that the site is actually polluted, Andra secures it by installing fences, walls and adequate signage. The risk presented by the site according to the use for which it is intended (housing, school, leisure, etc.) is then assessed and a remediation strategy is defined (decontamination techniques, waste management on site, etc.). The remediation of the site by Andra can then begin. It takes place in several phases:
1. Preparation: Protections (vinyl sheets, airlocks, dust extraction devices, etc.) are put in place to prevent any dispersion of contaminated substances in the environment.
2. Rehabilitation works: They are carried out by qualified and specialized personnel. They intervene on site after having put on the equipment necessary to protect their health. Contaminated materials are removed and packaged.
3. Management: The radioactive waste that has been generated by sanitation (soil, contaminated rubble, objects, etc.) is directed to the management system adapted to its nature (storage center or temporary storage). They are sometimes secured on site while awaiting a storage solution.
4. Renovation-refurbishment: If necessary, renovation or refurbishment works are carried out.
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Suite, video and complete file: http://www.andra.fr/pages/fr/menu1/l-an ... at-47.html
ASN file: http://www.asn.fr/index.php/S-informer/ ... dioactives
IRSN file: http://www.irsn.fr/FR/base_de_connaissa ... 886b15bd96