3   INSTALLATIONS INVENTORY AND SOURCE MOVEMENTS
  3.1 Sources of ionising radiation
3.1.1 Radionuclides

Tables 4 and 5 specify the number of facilities authorised to use radioactive sources in the applications identified. They illustrate the diversity of these applications.

It should be noted that a given facility may carry out several activities and will therefore appear in the above-mentioned tables 4 and 5 for each of its activities.

Main uses of sealed radioactive sources 2002 2003 2004 2005
Gamma radiography
189
192
147
140
Density measurement and weighing
455
457
337
289
Thickness measurement
229
221
180
156
Dust measurement
96
94
79
70
Thin layer thickness measurement
39
33
23
20
Basis weight measurement
261
271
228
204
Level measurement
467
449
348
289
Humidity and density measurement
363
339
278
269
Logging
10
9
14
13
Elimination of static electricity
26
27
22
21
Smoke detectors
2
2
2
2
Use of neutron sources
55
55
44
38
Analysis
111
113
87
80
Calibration
846
875
813
806
Teaching
132
148
137
133
Research
19
21
19
19
Chromatography
516
521
477
450
Electron capture detectors
64
69
56
52
X-ray fluorescence analysis
1,037
1,343

1,643
1,848
Table 4: use of sealed radioactive sources

Main uses of unsealed radioactive sources
2002
2003
2004
2005
Research
1,076
1,082
1,047
1,030
Use of tracers
19
21
16
16
Calibration
95
103
92
84
Teaching
25
23
22
19
Table 5: use of unsealed radioactive sources
3.1.2 Electrical generators of ionising radiation

In the light of changing regulations, the ASN does not yet have sufficiently precise data linking the number of installations and the nature of the applications. However, the obligation to obtain prior licensing for use of this type of appliance, in accordance with the Public Health Code, should in the coming years provide the ASN with this information and thus provide an accurate picture of the inventory of this type of equipment.

Table 6 specifies the number of facilities authorised to use electrical generators of ionising radiation in the listed applications. It illustrates the diversity of these applications.

Main uses of electrical generators of ionising radiation
2005
Non-destructive testing (radiography/radioscopy)
33
Cristallography
11
X-ray fluorescence analysis
60
Industrial gauging (level measurement, etc.)
10
Research
2
Calibration
0
Teaching
2
Table 6: use of electrical generators of ionising radiation
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