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Preface

The danger posed by radioactivity came to light a few days after the discovery of this phenomenon by the very person who discovered “uraniferous salts”, Professor Henri Becquerel himself, when a red mark and then a burn appeared on his skin within the space of a few days when he left a tube of radium in his jacket pocket. This did not prevent radioactivity from becoming a great attraction to the public, since it had amazing virtues. A person apparently just had to drink radioactive waters, consume food and use medicines containing radium, dress in wool containing radium, use radioactive cosmetics and have watches and clocks whose needles were luminous due to this radioactive element. This enthusiasm continued into the 1930s [AMI 13a].

The dangerous nature of radioactivity was confirmed by research scientists, such as Marie Curie, by uranium miners subjected to high levels of exposure to radon and its decay products, and by radiologists who irradiated themselves intensely at the same time as their patients, accumulating their exposure over time.

While the danger of radioactivity is well known today, radioactive risk is nevertheless tricky to estimate because it depends on numerous different parameters. Radiosensitivity is mainly a function of the intensity of exposure (dose), and also of the distribution of this dose over time (absorbed dose per unit of time). The effects on organic molecules of various ionizing rays (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron emitters) are very different. In addition, the radioactive risk depends on which radionuclide is involved, or rather, on the mixture of radionuclides affecting the organism.

In addition, some cells are more radiosensitive than others. This is true for both plant and animal species, in addition to sensitivity differences between individuals. In a single species, in most cases, the first stages of life (embryo, fetus, child) are much more radiosensitive than adults and old people [AMI 16].

Nuclear accidents are covered in a series of three volumes. The first volume is dedicated to definitions and classifications of nuclear accidents of military origin. It then tackles the consequences of the actions taken in warfare at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, then atmospheric testing of nuclear bombs and accidents that occurred during underground testing. The use of military force to act as a nuclear deterrent has caused various accidents, in particular among submarines and bomber aircraft. This first volume also considers the various accidents that have occurred during the manufacture of nuclear weapons, in particular those of criticality. This book finishes with estimations of the effects of a possible nuclear war.

This book, the second volume in the series, is dedicated to accidents related to civilian use of nuclear technology, from the points of view of civil engineering, the production of electricity and tools for human health (in particular, detection and radiotherapy). Electricity production depends on several stages. Yet, accidents can occur at various stages of the fuel cycle, from mining to reprocessing of the exhausted fuel. Specific chapters are devoted to accidents that occurred in the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear reactors. A later chapter evokes the possible consequences of acts of terrorism. For each of the first two volumes, the consequences of nuclear accidents are detailed for the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments and their flora and fauna, human health, as well as sociological, psychological and economic consequences.

The third volume will expand on the future management of nuclear accidents, in particular looking at activities involving decontamination, feedback, post-accident management, risk, perception, Industrial Intervention Plans (PPIs in France) and the need to take potential accidents into account during project design.

The book also includes a list of acronyms.

Nuclear accidents and disasters have given rise to an abundant literature. Why produce more books on the subject? Many books are openly pro- or anti-nuclear. The intention of the volumes in this series is to provide the reader with a clear, transparent and objective summary of the relevant scientific literature.

Jean-Claude AMIARD

March 2019