Intervention trigger levels in cases of radiological emergencies (Public Health Code)
  Definition Values Observation
Protection
of the general public
Intervention levels
Art. R.1333-80, order of 14 October 2003, circular of 10 March 2000


Protection of participants
Reference levels
Art. R. 1333-86
Expressed in effective dose (except for iodine), these levels are designed to assist with the relevant response decision to protect the population:
• sheltering
• evacuation
• administration of stable iodine (thyroid dose)



These levels are expressed as effective dose:
• for the special teams for technical or medical intervention
• for the other participants





10 mSv
50 mSv
100 mSv






100 mSv

10 mSv
* The Prefect can make adjustments to take account of local factors.









* This level is raised to 300 mSv when the intervention is designed to prevent or reduce exposure of a large number of people.
Action trigger levels (Public Health Code and Labour Code)
(Activity or dose levels above which action must be taken to reduce exposure)
  Definition Values Observation
Long-term exposure (contaminated sites)
Art. R. 1333-89 of the CSP
IRSN Guide 2000
Selection level: individual dose above which the need for rehabilitation must be examined
undefined
* The notion of selection level is introduced by the IRSN guide for management of industrial sites potentially contaminated by radioactive substances.
Exposure to radon

Protection of the general public
Art. R. 1333-15 and R. 1333-16 of the CSP, order of 22 July 2004

Worker protection
Art. R. 231-115 of the CT

Premises open to the public




Working environments

400 Bq/m3
1000 Bq/m3




400 Bq/m3

 * See notice published in Official Gazette of 11 August 2004 defining radon measurement methods
* See notice published in Official Gazette of 22 February 2005 defining the corrective measures to be taken in the event of overshoot
Enhanced natural exposure (excluding radon)

Protection of the general public
Art. R. 1333-13 and R. 1333-41 of the CSP

Worker protection
Art. R. 231-114 of the CT







Effective dose


N/A




1 mSv/year 		* Any population protection action to be taken will be defined on a case by case basis.
Water intended for human consumption
Decree n° 2001-1220 of 20 December 2001, order of 12 May 2004
Annual total indicative dose (TID) calculated based on the radioelements present in the water, except for tritium, potassium 40, radon and daughter products.

Tritium
0.1 mSv








100 Bq/l 		* The TID can be used to estimate the exposure attributable to the radiological quality of the water. Any corrective measures to be taken if the TID is exceeded depend on the value of the TID and the radioelements in question.
* Tritium is a contamination indicator.
Foodstuffs (emergency situation)
European regulations Codex alimentarius, etc.
Saleability limits   See following table.
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