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The “knot in the stomach” and the ethical fears of IRSN’s nuclear watchdogs

The abolition of the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) announced by the French government worries researchers and employees of the organization. Cécile Cunin and Jean Desquines, two experts in nuclear research, explain why this independent body is essential to guarantee the credibility of scientific opinions in a sensitive sector.

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On February 8, 2023, the French government announced its intention to abolish the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), an independent organization that provides scientific advice in the nuclear field. This announcement has raised the concern of many researchers, including Cécile Cunin and Jean Desquines, who express their fears about the loss of transparency in a sensitive sector.

Independent body to ensure credibility

Cécile Cunin, radiochemist, has been working for 20 years in nuclear research. She explains that the IRSN was created to restore confidence after the Chernobyl disaster. Thanks to this independent organization, the public has a guarantee that experts are impartially monitoring nuclear power plants to protect their safety. The IRSN was also recognized worldwide during the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

Jean Desquines, a researcher on the behavior of nuclear fuel in accident situations, explains that their research is fragile because it is very specific. He fears that if the IRSN is dissolved and integrated into another group, their research will no longer be guided by safety imperatives, but rather by the operator’s considerations. He believes that the existence of the IRSN guarantees the credibility of scientific opinions.

A brutal decision that worries employees

Beyond the ethical and safety issues, the researchers also mention the anguish of the 1,725 IRSN employees after the government’s announcement. They don’t know what their professional future will be and feel like they are being moved around like pawns. They have loans, children and do not know where they will be tomorrow.

A questioning of transparency in the nuclear field

The abolition of the IRSN raises fears about the loss of transparency in a sensitive sector. At present, IRSN’s work can be published with some restrictions, but this does not affect transparency. However, much of the research of the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is not published, at the request of the sponsors of the studies, generally EDF or Framatome.

 

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