Topic — ARSN Niger

RadiationProtection

Protecting workers, the public and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, while enabling the benefits of nuclear and radiological applications.

Workers Public Medical Environnement
Definition

What is radiation protection?

Radiation protection encompasses all the rules, procedures and means implemented to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, while enabling activities that make use of it.

In Niger, ARSN is the competent authority for radiation protection. It establishes the regulations, controls their application, issues authorisations and ensures radiological monitoring of the territory.

Ionising radiation
X-rays, gamma, alpha, beta, neutrons — all subject to ARSN regulation
168 authorised sources
Regulated radioactive sources in Niger in 2024
0 major incident
Radiological record since ARSN was established in 2016
BSS — IAEA Basic Safety Standards
ARSN applies the IAEA Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection (GSR Part 3)
Did you know?

Each person receives on average 2.4 mSv/year from natural radiation (radon, cosmic radiation, natural radioactivity in food).

Natural: 2.4 mSv
Medical: ~1 mSv
Nuclear industry: 0.2 mSv

Regulatory limit for workers: 20 mSv/year

International foundations

The 3 principles of radiation protection

These universal principles, established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and adopted by the IAEA, guide all ARSN regulation.

01

Justification

Any activity involving ionising radiation must be justified: the expected benefits must outweigh the radiological risks it entails.

E.g.: A medical X-ray is justified because its diagnostic benefit outweighs the risk associated with exposure.
CIPR Pub. 103 — §203
02

Optimisation (ALARA)

Radiation exposures must be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), taking into account economic and social factors.

E.g.: A doctor must minimise the dose from a CT scan whilst maintaining the necessary diagnostic quality.
CIPR Pub. 103 — §205
03

Dose limitation

Annual dose limits are set by regulation for exposed workers and the public, to avoid deterministic effects and reduce the risk of stochastic effects.

E.g.: A nuclear industry worker cannot exceed 20 mSv/year (average over 5 years).
CIPR Pub. 103 — §212
Regulatory values

Regulatory dose limits

In accordance with Order No. 001/ARSN/2020 and IAEA BSS standards (GSR Part 3).

Category Whole body (effective) Lens of the eye Skin / Extremities Status
Exposed worker 20 mSv/an
avg. over 5 years, max 50 mSv/year		 20 mSv/an 500 mSv/an Category A
Apprentice / student (≥18 years) 6 mSv/an 15 mSv/an 150 mSv/an Category B
Pregnant woman (foetus) 1 mSv
for the remainder of the pregnancy		 — — Special protection
General public 1 mSv/an 15 mSv/an 50 mSv/an General public

These limits apply to planned exposures, excluding medical exposure of patients (not regulated by dose limits, but subject to the optimisation principle).

Scope of action

Fields of application

ARSN exercises its radiation protection control in all sectors of activity using ionising radiation sources.

Medical & Veterinary

  • Diagnostic radiology (X-ray, CT)
  • Radiotherapy and brachytherapy
  • Nuclear medicine (PET, scintigraphy)
  • Veterinary radiology
  • Medical equipment calibration
85+ controlled establishments

Industrial & Mining

  • Industrial nuclear gauges
  • Gammagraphy and industrial radiography
  • Uranium mines (SOMAÏR, COMINAK)
  • Oil well logging
  • Ionisation detectors (fire)
40+ industrial facilities

Research & Education

  • Nuclear research laboratories
  • Sealed sources for calibration
  • Radiation generators
  • Practical physics teaching
10+ research centres

Environmental monitoring

  • Monitoring of mining discharges
  • Control of water and food
  • Ambient radiation measurements
  • Radon control in buildings
12 monitoring stations
Regulatory procedure

How to obtain an authorisation?

All use of radioactive sources in Niger is subject to prior authorisation from ARSN. Here are the steps in the process.

01

Preparing the file

Gather the documents: application form, qualification of the radiation protection officer (RPO), source inventory, premises plan, safety procedures.

02

Submitting the application

Send the complete file to ARSN's Radiation Protection Directorate — by official correspondence or via the e-services portal (under development).

03

Technical review

Review of the completeness and compliance of the file by ARSN inspectors. Site visit if necessary. Timeline: 30 to 60 working days.

04

ARSN Decision

Issuing of the authorisation, with possible conditions, or notification of the reasoned refusal. The authorisation is valid for 3 renewable years.

05

Ongoing monitoring

Periodic inspections by ARSN officers. Obligation to report any change of situation, radiological incident or accident.

Submit an authorisation application Applicant guide

Forms

Download the authorisation application forms and incident declaration forms.

Access forms

Guides techniques

Consult ARSN guides on medical, industrial radiation protection and radioactive waste.

View guides

Report an incident

Any radiological incident or accident must be reported to ARSN within 24 hours.

Report now

Contact RPD

Radiation Protection Directorate — available for any technical question about your sources and facilities.

Contact the RPD