ASN Report 2015

EDITORIAL BY THE COMMISSION

considers that the system of dosimetric reviews for the

most common or most heavily irradiating procedures

must be pursued.

In the field of radiotherapy, ASN inspections were able

to measure the progress made by the centres, even if

there are still weaknesses in quality management and

risk management. The new hypofractionated treatment

techniques such as hadron therapy, which involve

high energy levels in often very small volumes, are

challenges for the coming years. ASN will ensure that

the recommendations made in 2015 by its advisory

committee for radiation protection – concerning the

medical and forensic applications of ionising radiation

using these new techniques – are implemented, in order

to reinforce patient safety and protection.

The growth of new imaging and radiotherapy techniques

requires a strengthening of initial university training

and indeed continuing training in radiation protection,

both for those prescribing the examinations and those

performing them.

The new 2016-2019 national action plan

for radon-related risk management will target

homes and professional premises

It will allow improved monitoring of human exposure

to radon in the home and in the workplace. Under ASN

oversight, radon measurements taken by the approved

laboratories will be input into a national database. On

the basis of a nationwide map, it will now be mandatory

to inform those buying or renting a home of the radon

risk in the commune concerned.

It should be noted that close to former mining sites

and their waste rock, radon exposure may prove to be

a major risk for the occupants of certain buildings, as

was shown by the case observed in Bessines (Haute-

Vienne

département

Safety and radiation protection benefit

from a reinforced legislative framework

The TECV Act marks a significant step forward for

safety and radiation protection: it extends the roles

and powers of ASN and reinforces the role of IRSN,

consolidates the Local Information Committees (CLI)

and, more generally, the provisions concerning the

information and involvement of the general public. It

is an invaluable tool for optimising howwe manage the

period of unprecedented challenges today facing us.

1. Administrative region headed by a Prefect

ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015