European utilities defend use of boric acid

The association of European electricity generators, Eurelectric, has expressed its concern that the use of boric acid - used across the whole nuclear fuel cycle - could be restricted under proposals from the European Chemical Agency (ECHA).

In early September, ECHA published a list of 22 substances, including boric acid, that it recommends adding to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) authorization list. REACH is the system for controlling chemicals in Europe. ECHA said it proposed the addition of boric acid to the list because of its potential risk to fertility.

ECHA launched a public consultation, ending 1 December, calling for comments on the recommendation. In parallel, the European Commission has asked for information on the possible socio-economic consequences of the inclusion of boric acid in the authorization list.

"Given the fact that boric acid has no substitute, the rolling application process is particularly costly and contributes to undermining the regulatory certainty needed for investments in nuclear power plants."

Eurelectric

Eurelectric noted, "Boric acid, whether natural or enriched, is used across the whole nuclear fuel cycle." It said it is "vital to control nuclear fission reactions in nuclear electric power plants and to ensure nuclear safety." Boric acid is used in all pressurized water reactors (and to a lesser extent in boiling water reactor). Eurelectric noted, "No other chemical compound has the same characteristics required to replace boric acid for this use as expected in the authorization process."

Boric acid is also used for its neutron absorbing capacities within the nuclear fuel cycle and during decommissioning. Additionally, it is used in the glass of vitrified radioactive waste.

"Given it importance for nuclear power generation, we don't support the inclusion of boric acid in the authorization list," Eurelectric told ECHA. It said that it is concerned that boric acid uses "would be either limited or subject to unsuitable requirements."

Eurelectric added, "Even if ECHA does authorize the use of boric acid in the nuclear fuel cycle, we still have concerns that authorization will be required on a regular basis. Given the fact that boric acid has no substitute, the rolling application process is particularly costly and contributes to undermining the regulatory certainty needed for investments in nuclear power plants."

The association suggests that a "risk management option" study is carried out for boric acid, and borates in general, before any inclusion in the authorization list is considered. This, it says, will "ensure that the most appropriate regulation to manage risk is chosen, based on a complete and up-to-date analysis."

Eurelectric said that electricity generators would also provide comments on ECHA's proposal. "We trust that these contributions will provide sufficient information on risk management and on the socio-economic consequences of authorization requirements for boric acid to support continued use of this important chemical within the electricity industry," it said.

ECHA said that comments received during the public consultation "will be used to further assess the workload associated to the recommended substances and, where relevant, to refine the priority assessment using the agreed prioritization approach." A subset of the 22 listed substances is likely to be selected for ECHA's final recommendation to the European Commission. The Commission will decide which substances from ECHA's recommendations to include in the authorization list.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News