ANNEX: EXAMPLES OF KEY INFORMATION FILES

Section 1. Context

Based on a natural physical phenomenon, radioactivity is used by humans for various applications. It produces radioactive waste harmful to human health and the environment, which must be isolated according to appropriate management methods. The Manche disposal facility houses lowand intermediate-level*1 and short-lived waste, stored in structures that contain it.

What is radioactivity?

Origin of radioactivity and definition of what it is. Including a description of the distinction between natural radioactivity and artificial radioactivity.

Where do radioactive wastes come from?

Summary of the various types of radioactive wastes.

Basic principles for radioactive waste management

Before the creation of the Manche repository in 1969, disposal at sea was considered the most appropriate management solution for radioactive waste. This practice was abandoned by France for most of the wastes in 1969, and completely abandoned in 1983. Ocean dumping was banned by international rules in 1993.

Since 1969, in France, radioactive wastes are distributed towards the most appropriate repositories according to their lifetime and their dangerousness to guarantee the adequate protection of people and the environment. Very low-level wastes, lowand intermediatelevel short-lived wastes are thus disposed in surface repositories, whereas projects for long-lived wastes are conducted at various depths according to their dangerousness.

Section 2. The Manche repository

The Manche disposal facility is located in the extreme north-west of the Cotentin Peninsula, in a geographical area characterised by a marked ocean climate and an ancient and complex geological environment. Operated from 1969 to 1994, it provided feedback that led to the implementation of an effective radioactive waste management policy in France.

1.Words followed by an asterisk will be defined in a glossary.

ANNEX: EXAMPLES OF KEY INFORMATION FILES

Presentation

Established in 1969, the Manche repository is the first on-ground repository for radioactive wastes in France. It is located at the extreme northwest of the Cotentin peninsula, about 20 kilometres west of the city of Cherbourg-en- Cotentin. Its footprint is about 15 hectares (0.15 square kilometres).

Source: Andra.

Geographic co-ordinates of the Manche repository (corresponding to the red oval on the map):

Latitude: 49.6770

Longitude: -1.8630

The Manche repository

Source: Andra.