Conference/debate on nuclear power. Press file

This press dossier presents in a digest way the advantages of nuclear power with respect to other energy sources. After a presentation of the worldwide energy resources (electric power demand, fossil-fuel reserves, renewable energies, environmental constraints), the dossier describes the functioning principle of a PWR reactor as a presentation of the French nuclear program (historical aspects, policy, organization of activities, trade, EPR project). In the last part, the sociological aspects of nuclear power are approached: environmental aspects (natural radioactivity, reactors safety, radioactive wastes, environment protection, carbon dioxide and energy production), and public health aspects (principles of radioactivity, dose effects, industrial and scientific applications of radionuclides, nuclear controversy, reactor accidents, legal aspects of radioprotection, safety standards and controls). (J.S.)