Development of artificial radioactivity in the French environment during the past 50 years and related doses; effect of the current operation of nuclear facilities

The activities of artificial radionuclides in the environment have being strongly decreasing since 50 years. Nowadays the activities of 3H and 14C widely predominate, but they cannot be still considered as artificial radionuclides, except nearby the nuclear installations where they constitute the most abundant radioactive releases. In terrestrial environment this influence is limited to the surroundings of 5 sites, although most of nuclear sites and nuclear medical centers are involved in the contamination of the aquatic environment downstream the releases and in the Channel. Since 1987 the doses to the French population have been mainly induced by 14C and 137Cs. (author)