ASN Report 2017

258 ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2017 Chapter 08  - Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection PAYS DE LA LOIRE ASN also took part in the information and consultation meeting organised by the Loire-Atlantique Prefecture in October 2017 concerning the Écarpière site. During this meeting, ASN reiterated its desire to have Areva conduct complementary studies on the sites on which mining waste rock has been reused and which have had no work done on them. These studies will enable ASN and the State services to decide whether or not it is necessary to oblige Areva to perform additional remediation work on these areas. With regard to mining waste rock reuse sites presenting a radon problem in living areas (residential or corporate buildings), Areva carried out an initial radon screening campaign at the request of the State. Despite a return rate of less than 50%, this campaign led to the identification of eight places with radon concentrations exceeding 2,500 Bq/m 3 . For some buildings, the Dreal and ASN asked IRSN to perform a third-party expert assessment to determine whether the radon was of natural or anthropogenic origin. In situations where anthropogenic origin was confirmed, Areva was asked to carry out work in 2016 to reduce the radon concentrations. As the radon exposure reduction work had not yet been started, the Prefect, on proposal from the Dreal and after consulting ASN, issued formal notice to Areva to carry out this remediation work. ASN also asked for dosimeters to again be distributed to the populations concerned. Lastly, ASN has issued a favourable opinion on the disposal project for the radiologically marked sludge and sediments from the former Breton mining sites. The disposal of these materials was authorised by Prefectural Order dated 21st August 2017. 2. Additional information 2.1 Informing the public Press conference ASN held a press conference in Nantes on 19th September 2017 to present the situation of nuclear safety and radiation protection. Work with the Local Information Committees (CLIs) ASN took part in the meeting of the Sablé-sur-Sarthe CLI on 5thOctober 2017 and that of the Pouzauges CLI on 26thOctober 2017, during which Ionisos presented its annual reports. 2.2 International action The Nantes division contributed to a training course organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Cameroon on the effective and lasting regulatory control of ionising radiation sources with the heads of the African radiation protection Authorities.