Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Bruce A and B Nuclear Generating Stations

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[ ] Guideline/Reference Level

Background

Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), licensees of nuclear facilities are required to implement an environmental monitoring program to demonstrate that the public and the environment are protected from emissions related to the facility’s nuclear activities. The results of these monitoring programs are submitted to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), ensuring compliance with the applicable guidelines and limits set out in the regulations that oversee Canada’s nuclear industry.

The CNSC has implemented its IEMP to verify that the public and the environment around licensed nuclear facilities are protected. It is separate from, but complementary to, the CNSC’s ongoing compliance verification program. The IEMP involves taking samples from publicly accessible areas around the facilities, and measuring and analyzing the amount of radioactive and hazardous substances in those samples. CNSC staff collect the samples and send them to the CNSC’s state-of-the-art laboratory for testing and analysis. Since the implementation of the IEMP, the area outside of the BNGS perimeter was sampled in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

2022 results

The 2022 IEMP sampling plan for the Bruce A and B nuclear generating site focused on radioactive and hazardous substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on the licensee’s approved environmental monitoring program and our regulatory experience with the site. We endeavour to incorporate traditional Indigenous land use, values and knowledge by engaging with Indigenous Nations and communities on the sampling plan. More information on this engagement is provided in the “Indigenous Nations and communities’ participation” section.

In July 2022, we collected air, water, soil, sand, sediment, vegetation, and food samples in publicly accessible areas outside the facility perimeter.

The levels of radioactivity and hazardous substances measured in air, water, soil, sediment, vegetation, food were below available guidelines and our own screening levels. Our screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/yr (one-tenth of the regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv/yr).  Measurements conducted by the IEMP to date have consistently found levels of radioactivity in the environment to be low, and well within the range of natural background radiation levels. As a result, no effects on human health are expected.

2019 results

The 2019 IEMP sampling plan for the BNGS focused on nuclear and hazardous contaminants. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on Bruce Power’s approved environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM) also collaborated with the CNSC by providing valuable information about locations and species of interest for sampling, and by participating in the collection of samples. It is a priority for the CNSC to ensure that IEMP sampling reflects traditional Indigenous land use, values and knowledge, where possible, so that our IEMP results are meaningful to the communities. CNSC staff have shared the 2019 report with these communities and will discuss the results with them in the near future.

In 2019, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the BNGS site perimeter and included samples of air, water, soil, sediment, vegetation and food, such as meat and produce from local farms. View detailed sampling data.

The radioactivity measured in air, water, sediment, soil and vegetation samples, as well as in samples of meat, fish, milk and produce was below guidelines and CNSC screening levels. These results are similar to the findings in 2013, 2015 and 2016. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.

The levels of hazardous (non-radiological) contaminants measured in water and sediment were below applicable guidelines. All samples were within the range of licensees’ data based on their recent environmental risk assessments, and below the toxicity data available, indicating that potential effects to the environment are low.

2013, 2015 and 2016 results

The 2013, 2015 and 2016 IEMP sampling plans for the BNGS focused on nuclear contaminants. Site-specific sampling plans were developed based on Bruce Power’s approved environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In all three years, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the BNGS perimeter and included air samples, lake water, soil and sediment, vegetation and food, such as meat and produce from local farms. View detailed sampling data.

The radioactivity measured in air, water, sediment, soil and vegetation samples, as well as in samples of meat and produce was below available guidelines and CNSC reference levels. These results are consistently similar across all three years. CNSC reference levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.

Indigenous Nations and communities’ participation

We have made it a priority to ensure that IEMP sampling reflects Indigenous traditional knowledge, land use and values where possible. In addition to routine IEMP sampling activities, we seek input from local Indigenous Nations and communities on our IEMP sampling plans.

In advance of the 2022 IEMP sampling campaign around the Bruce A and B nuclear generating site, notification emails were sent to Indigenous Nations and communities near the facility to notify them of the sampling campaign and to seek input on the sampling plan. We invited suggestions for species of interest, valued components, and potential sampling locations where traditional practices and activities may take place.

As a continuation of the IEMP work completed during 2019 at the Bruce A and B nuclear generating site, vegetation was again sampled at the same locations. Species included plantain, eastern white cedar, cattails (roots and leaves/flowers), and balsam fir. Milkweed and creeping juniper were also added to the sample plan for 2022, at the request of the SON.

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)

In addition to reviewing the sampling plan, representatives from the MNO joined the IEMP sampling team and helped CNSC staff identify and obtain samples. They also observed sampling of air, water and sediment and learned about packaging and chain of custody procedures.

Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM)

In addition to reviewing the sampling plan, a representative from the Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM) joined the IEMP sampling team in the field to participate in sampling of cedar in the local community. They also learned about packaging and chain-of-custody procedures, and were provided an explanation of the air sampling equipment and procedures.

Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON)

In addition to reviewing the sampling plan, representatives from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) joined the IEMP sampling team in the field for sampling in Nawash (Neyaashiinigmiing). In addition to air, soil and vegetation, plantain, cedar, cattails, milkweed, and juniper were identified and sampled together. Similar samples were also taken in Saugeen, and we also sampled water, sediment and food at the Bruce site. SON community members also provided samples of whitefish and trout from Lake Huron. A community outreach session was also held in Nawash during the sampling campaign. A similar session was planned for Saugeen, but unfortunately was cancelled due to bad weather.

We would like to thank the HSM, SON and MNO for their participation and collaboration.

We will continue to engage with interested Indigenous Nations and communities to ensure that IEMP sampling incorporates Indigenous knowledge in future sampling.

Conclusions

Our IEMP results from 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2022 are consistent with the results submitted by Bruce Power, supporting our assessment that the licensee’s environmental protection program is effective. The results add to the body of evidence that people and the environment in the vicinity of the Bruce A and B nuclear generating site are protected and that there are no anticipated health impacts from the operation of the facilities on the site.