Article

Synthesis of reflections and conclusions of the SFRP-IRPA workshop on the reasonableness in the practical implementation of the ALARA principle

¹ CEPN, 92260 Fontenay-aux-roses, France
² IRSN, DAI, 92262 Fontenay-aux-roses, France
³ SFRP, 92263 Fontenay-aux-roses, France
⁴ EDF, IGSN, 75008 Paris, France

^* Corresponding author: valerie.chambrette@sfrp.asso.fr

Received: 4 July 2017
Accepted: 25 September 2017

Abstract

For almost two years, the International Radiological Protection Association (IRPA) has been engaged in a reflection on the implementation of the radiological protection system and its evolution. In this context, the French Society for Radiological Protection (SFRP) organised a workshop on the search for a level of protection judged to be “reasonable” in the practical implementation of the optimisation approach held in Paris, last February 2017. The objective of this workshop was to initiate a discussion on the foundations of the optimisation principle and to share experience feedback on its implementation in three areas: the nuclear sector (particularly for occupational exposures), the medical sector and some existing exposure situations (exposure to radon, management of radium contaminated sites and management of post-accident situations). The article summarizes the discussions and conclusions of the workshop. It appears that the practical implementation of optimisation as well as the evaluation of the protection level considered as “reasonable” varies according to the field of activities, and remain a challenge in all cases.