Radiological monitoring of the environment of nuclear sites

Radiological monitoring of the environment around a basic nuclear facility (INB) must include :

• control of radioactive discharges ;

• monitoring the impact of discharges into the environment.

All sampling and associated measurements are described in a monitoring program drawn up by the nuclear operator. It includes all regulatory requirements, and may be supplemented by additional measures at the operator's initiative.

In terms of environmental monitoring, each basic nuclear facility is governed by regulations or provisions concerning water abstraction and discharge authorizations.

For each nuclear facility, these regulations detail the authorization limits for gaseous and liquid discharges (in terms of quantity and/or concentration), as well as the various samples to be taken at discharge facilities and in the environment. They may also define the necessary monitoring resources, and the procedures for disseminating results to stakeholders and local information commissions (CLI).

This report is limited to the methods used by nuclear operators to measure releases from their facilities and their radioactive impact on the environment, and to detect any abnormal changes in the environment and in releases. It is not intended to detail the instrumental techniques used for these measurements. Readers wishing to know more about the technology used for radiological measurement of radioactive effluents and the environment may refer to the following dossiers:

• [BN 3 480] "Nuclear detectors – Physical principles of operation;

• [BN 3 481] "Nuclear detectors – Different classes of detectors;

• [BN 3 482] "Nuclear detectors – Different types of particles to be detected.