CEPN is a non-profit organisation created in 1976 to establish a research and development centre in the fields of optimisation of radiological protection and comparison of health and environmental risks associated with energy systems.

The studies are undertaken by a group of a dozen of engineers and economists. The research programme is evaluated by a Scientific Council.

The association currently has three members: the French public electricity generating utility (EDF), the Institute of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) and the French Alternatives Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

CEPN is a a non-profit organisation created in 1976 to establish a research and development centre in the fields of optimisation of radiological protection and comparison of health and environmental risks associated with energy systems.

Recent publications

Development and Dissemination of ALARA Culture

SCHIEBER C. et al.

The need to further develop and disseminate ALARA culture comes at a moment in time where we see an increase of the awareness of the risk, new exposure situations to be managed as applications of ionising radiations increase by introducing new techniques, and scientific knowledge of the

European ALARA Network - Working Group on ALARA Culture

Oral presentation at IRPA13, Glasgow, Sctoland, 14-18 May 2012.

Abstract

The need to further develop and disseminate ALARA culture comes at a moment in time where we see an increase of the awareness of the risk, new exposure situations to be managed as applications of ionising radiations increase by introducing new techniques, and scientific knowledge of the health effects is constantly developing.

ALARA culture is at the heart of radiation protection culture. It is based on the scientific knowledge on health effects from ionising radiation together with the application of the precautionary principle, leading to the adoption of the linear dose-effect relationship without thresholds (LNT). It results in attitudes and behaviours of individuals and organisations, committed to always search for dose reduction potentialities taking into account that this remains reasonable.

Implementation of optimisation of radiation protection is an ongoing and iterative process, to keep the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed and the likelihood of incurring exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) taking into account technical, economical and societal factors. This implementation requires qualitative and quantitative judgements and the involvement of all parties having an interest in or concern about an exposure situation. It often requires a profound decision about what is acceptable from an objective point of view rather than striving for “Zero-Dose”.

The paper, elaborated by a working group from the European ALARA Network (EAN) will discuss elements constituting ALARA culture, its practical implementation according to the various exposure situations, and ways to further develop and disseminate it.


A1113

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Exhibitions / Projects

Vous avez dit Radioprotection ?

Vous avez dit Radioprotection ?

Did you Say Radiation Protection? Stories of X-Rays, Radioactivity, etc …” is a traveling exhibition devoted to radiation protection, that is to say all the means to protect workers, the public and the environment from potentially harmful effects of X-rays and of radioactivity.

La robe et le nuage

Robe et Nuage

La robe et le nuage propose au lecteur une plongée dans le monde de la radioactivité qui n'a rien d'un pensum pour physiciens avertis. Bien au contraire, l'ouvrage, destiné au grand public, s'attache à retracer l'histoire des rayons X et de la radioactivité, ainsi que celle de son nécessaire pendant : la radioprotection. Rédigé par un spécialiste français du sujet et une journaliste scientifique, il aide à mieux comprendre la radioactivité, de La robe de Marie Curie au nuage de Tchernobyl.

ETHOS in Belarus

ETHOS en Biélorussie

Le projet européen ETHOS avait pour but d’améliorer durablement les conditions de vie des habitants des villages dont la vie quotidienne a été fortement affectée par la présence à long terme de contamination radioactive à la suite de l’accident de Tchernobyl. Il s’agissait d’une nouvelle démarche pluridisciplinaire basée sur une implication forte de la population dans l’évaluation et la gestion du risque radiologique en concertation avec les autorités locales, régionales et nationales et des experts biélorusses.