9 Dec (NucNet): Regulatory uncertainty could be undermined and investment in new nuclear plants suffer if plans by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to add boric acid to a list of restricted chemicals are approved, the European power industry association Eurelectric has warned.
Eurelectric said it is concerned that boric acid – which is used in many nuclear power reactors and has no substitute – could be subject to unnecessary restrictions if it is added to ECHA’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach) authorisation list.
Eurelectric said the use of boric acid would be either limited or subject to unsuitable requirements. “Even if ECHA authorises the use of boric acid in the nuclear fuel cycle, we still have concerns that authorisation will be required on a regular basis,” a statement said.
“Given the fact that boric acid has no substitute, a rolling application process would be particularly costly and contribute to undermining the regulatory certainty needed for investments in nuclear power plants.”
In September 2014, ECHA said it was considering the addition of 22 new chemicals to the Reach authorisation list and asked for comments as part of a consultation process by the end of November 2014.
Under Reach regulations, chemicals identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) can be added to the Reach authorisation list. Authorisation means a chemical cannot be placed on the market, or used after the date specified by ECHA for a particular chemical, unless specific authorisation is granted or there is an exemption.
The chemicals being considered include four boron substances: boric acid; disodium tetraborate, anhydrous; diboron trioxide; and tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate. The reason they are being considered for the list is that they might damage fertility and affect the development of embryos.
Eurelectric said boric acid, whether natural or boron-10 isotope enriched, is used across the whole nuclear fuel cycle and is vital to control nuclear fission reactions in nuclear electric power plants and to ensure nuclear safety. It is used in all pressurised water nuclear reactors around the world, and to a lesser extent in boiling water nuclear power plants. “No other chemical compound has the same characteristics required to replace boric acid for this use,” Eurelectric said.
Eurelectric said given its importance for nuclear power generation, “we don’t support the inclusion of boric acid in the authorisation list. The organisation called for a study to be carried out for boric acid, and borates in general, before any inclusion in the list is considered. This would ensure that “the most appropriate regulation to manage risk is chosen” based on a complete and up-to-date analysis.
Boric acid is also used for its neutron absorbing capacities within the nuclear fuel cycle and during dismantling, and as part of the vitrification process for nuclear waste.
Eurelectric, which has more than 30 members, represents the Electricity industry at European level.
