Environmental monitoring

Regulatory basis

Comprising two BNI (Basic Nuclear Installations), the AREVA Cadarache facility is subject to European and national regulations in terms of safety, security, and environmental protection.

Within these BNIs, 19 ICPE (Classified Installation for Environmental Protection) are subject to declaration under the Law of July 19, 1976.

The by-laws that govern their operation impose waste limits on these installations.

In France, the operator of a BNI or an ICPE is obligated to carry out constant monitoring of the functioning of their installations and waste, under the inspection of the safety authority.

Routine inspections and testing are otherwise carried out by the Nuclear Safety Authority (NSA).  Monitoring of radiological impact associated with effluents is also performed by the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).

Environmental monitoring

As the Nuclear Operator of the AREVA facility in Cadarache, the French Atomic Energy Commission is in charge of ongoing monitoring of its environment. Measurements are therefore regularly made:

• On links in the food chain such as thyme or milk.
• Of the air.
• Of aquatic environment receptors.
• Of subterranean ground water.

The results of these measurements for the year 2007 confirm that the site has no significant impact on the environment. In fact, these measurements often fall below detection limits of the analyses and are overall much lower than the Annual Intake Limits (annual limits calculated for the public based on dose factors set by the Directive EURATOM 96/29).