CENTRE ETABLISSEMENT TECHNIQUE DE BOURGES Purpose: tests and arms productionLocation : Bourges (Cher)Operator : Délégation générale pour l’armementMaterials handled : depleted uranium
Between 1990 and 2000 the Establishment carried out about 14,000 firings of shells with depleted uranium--105 mm shells (designed for the AMX30 B2 tank) and 120 mm shells ("obus flèches"). Each shell contains 3 to 5 kg of depleted uranium. The firings were carried out in a firing range between Avord and Crossses, twenty kilometers from Bourges. The firing position for depleted uranium munitions was LTAC2. The director of ETBS has indicated that other firings of depleted uranium may have taken place. The Cher CFDT for State establishment and arsenals has asked for an epidemiological and environmental study [Nouv 11.i.01; Berry 11.i.01].
The inventories of Andra list depleted uranium wastes stored at the site. According to the 1998 inventory, among these wastes are 206 kg of pieces of projectiles (2.7 Gbq); about 120 t of miscellaneous metallic wastes (targets, tools, armor); about 2500 m3 of fill (earth and rubble ) from the former firing sites; and 8 drums of filters.
Andra's 2000 inventory mentions only metallic wastes (2 GBq) and miscellaneous wastes (earth, rubble, debris: 8 GBq), all contaminated with depleted uranium. The waste is located in a military zone, access to which is regulated [Andra 00]. Socatri at Bollène stores 312.4 t of solid wastes and 259.2 t of steel (TFA) treated for ETBS. They are all contaminated with uranium. The solid wastes are awaiting dispatch to Andra, but the final disposition of the steel is under study [Andra 00].
|