Tritium discharges in the environment and consequences: Recent advances and perspectives

Several publications have raised questions in France about the behavior of tritium in the environment and its impact on human health. In 2008, ASN asked two groups of experts to make a state of the art on this subject. An action plan based on the recommendations by these groups of experts was presented in the Tritium White Paper published in 2010. Since then, the follow-up committee has periodically addressed the identified topics. Metrological progresses, research work on the transfer and level of tritium activity in the environment were studied. The understanding of its toxicity has progressed. The operators of nuclear facilities have characterized the physicochemical forms of tritiated effluents existing in the discharges from their installations. Each year, ASN updates the inventory of tritium releases from nuclear facilities and the associated dosimetric impacts on the White Paper website. As the committee's actions concerning research subjects still in progress are now limited, ASN proposed to close the committee's work in its current form and to deal with research work not yet completed during a dedicated seminar organized by IRSN. (authors)