Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Port Hope Area Initiative - Port Hope Project and Port Granby Project

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Publication date: June 29, 2018

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has two waste nuclear substance licences issued by the CNSC for the Port Hope Project and the Port Granby Project. These licences are part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) which represents the Government of Canada’s commitment to developing and implementing a safe, local, long-term solution for the management of historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington, Ontario.

The LLRW contamination found in Port Hope and Port Granby is a result of the area’s long involvement with the nuclear industry. This legacy extends back to the 1930s with the commencement of radium refining activities by Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd. In the 1940s, Eldorado switched to uranium processing and became a Crown Corporation (Eldorado Nuclear Limited). During those early years, wastes from radium and uranium production were stockpiled at various locations and also used for fill material in construction and landscaping.

The PHAI is defined by a legal agreement signed in 2001Footnote 1 by the Government of Canada and the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington. In 2012, the Government of Canada, through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), made a financial commitment of $1.28 billion to implement the PHAI.

The objective of the Port Hope Project is to remediate and remove waste from the Welcome Waste Management Facility (WMF) and from residential and commercial sites containing historic LLRW and other specified industrial waste located in the Municipality of Port Hope. In the Port Hope Project, the long-term waste management facility (LTWMF) containment mound is an engineered above-ground mound. It is located on the same site as the existing Welcome WMF, but with a larger containment capacity, and is designed for the safe long-term storage of LLRW.

The objective of the Port Granby Project is to remediate and remove historic LLRW from the existing Port Granby WMF, and to consolidate and manage this waste at a new LTWMF. The Port Granby WMF is located in the Municipality of Clarington; it received wastes from former radium and uranium refining operations at Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. in Port Hope from 1955 until 1988.

Through regular site inspections and desktop reviews, CNSC staff conclude that CNL is carrying out work at these sites safely, and in compliance with the requirements of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) and their respective licences.

The results of the Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP) also confirm that the public and the environment around the CNL facilities are protected and that there are no health impacts.

Legend

[ ] Guideline/Reference Level

Port Hope Area Initiative - Port Hope Project and Port Granby Project

Sample Type Sample Description Parameter 2013 2014 2017 Guideline/
Reference Level		 Expected Health Impact (Yes/No) Sample Code
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 1.46 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG01-SE01
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 2.28 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG01-SE01
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 37 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG01-SE01
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.42 µg/L N/A 0.35 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water pH 7.5 N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.87 µg/L N/A 0.79 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 219 mg/L N/A 206 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG01-W01
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.41 µg/L N/A 0.33 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water pH 7.7 N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.94 µg/L N/A 0.83 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 221 mg/L N/A 192 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG03-W02
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.82 µg/L 0.59 µg/L 0.34 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water pH 7.82 7.48 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Arsenic 1.07 µg/L 0.84 µg/L 0.84 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 220 mg/L 213 mg/L 189 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L <0.004 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG03-W03
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.52 µg/L N/A 0.33 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water pH 7.70 N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.94 µg/L N/A 0.87 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 220 mg/L N/A 187 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Radium-226 0.01 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG03-W04
Water Surface Water Uranium 2.40 µg/L N/A N/A 15 µg/L No WG03-W05
Water Surface Water pH 7.59 N/A N/A 6.5–9.0 No WG03-W05
Water Surface Water Arsenic 12.31 µg/L N/A N/A 5 µg/L No WG03-W05
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 817 mg/L N/A N/A 500 mg/L No WG03-W05
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A N/A 0.5 Bq/L No WG03-W05
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A N/A 0.3 mg/L No WG03-W05
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 1.68 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG05-SE02
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 16.23 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG05-SE02
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 51 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG05-SE02
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A 3.1 mg/kg dry weight 1.12 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG05-SE02
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A 5.1 mg/kg dry weight 3.75 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG05-SE02
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A 28 Bq/kg dry weight 23.3 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG05-SE02
Water Creek Surface Uranium N/A N/A 2.76 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface pH N/A N/A 7.9 6.5–9.0 No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface Arsenic N/A N/A 0.95 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface Total Dissolved Solids N/A N/A 427 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface Phosphorus N/A N/A 13.48 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface Radium-226 N/A N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG05-W06
Water Creek Surface Ammonia N/A N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water Uranium 3.23 µg/L 1.98 µg/L N/A 15 µg/L No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water pH 7.7 7.6 N/A 6.5–9.0 No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water Arsenic 25.21 µg/L 2.05 µg/L N/A 5 µg/L No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 865 mg/L 600 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L 0.0053 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No WG05-W06
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L N/A 0.3 mg/L No WG05-W06
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 1.20 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG06-SE03
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 10.02 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG06-SE03
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 53 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG06-SE03
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A 1.7 mg/kg dry weight 1.17 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG06-SE03
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A 13.2 mg/kg dry weight 3.21 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG06-SE03
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A 40 Bq/kg dry weight 17.4 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG06-SE03
Water Surface Water Uranium 1.68 µg/L 1.27 µg/L 2.44 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water pH 7.0 7.82 7.9 6.5–9.0 No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water Arsenic 5.22 µg/L 2.11 µg/L 1.04 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 716 mg/L 618 mg/L 446 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A 17.92 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L 0.0042 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG06-W07
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG06-W07
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 1.49 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG07-SE04
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 10.82 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG07-SE04
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 51 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG07-SE04
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A 1.3 mg/kg dry weight 1.23 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG07-SE04
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A 2.8 mg/kg dry weight 2.45 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG07-SE04
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A 20 Bq/kg dry weight 21.1 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG07-SE04
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.36 µg/L 3.74 µg/L 2.51 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water pH 7.6 7.71 7.9 6.5–9.0 No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.96 µg/L 11.18 µg/L 1.13 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 217 mg/L 955 mg/L 505 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A 19.50 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L 0.0051 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG07-W08
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG07-W08
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A 1.6 mg/kg dry weight 1.21 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG08-SE05
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A 2.2 mg/kg dry weight 5.50 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG08-SE05
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A 21 Bq/kg dry weight 22.1 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG08-SE05
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.38 µg/L 0.92 µg/L 12.55 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water pH 7.7 7.93 8 6.5–9.0 No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.96 µg/L 0.4 µg/L 5.90 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 216 mg/L 534 mg/L 749 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A 7.33 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L <0.004 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG08-W09
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG08-W09
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A 0.5 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A No WG09-SE06
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A 1.5 mg/kg dry weight N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG09-SE06
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A <12 Bq/kg dry weight N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG09-SE06
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.36 µg/L 0.39 µg/L 0.42 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water pH 7.84 8.07 8.2 6.5–9.0 No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.92 µg/L 0.99 µg/L 0.68 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 216 mg/L 217 mg/L 254 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L <0.004 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG09-W10
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.38 µg/L N/A 0.34 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water pH 7.77 N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Arsenic 1.06 µg/L N/A 0.80 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 218 mg/L N/A 189 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG11-W11
Water Surface Water Uranium N/A N/A 0.35 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water pH N/A N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Arsenic N/A N/A 0.81 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids N/A N/A 195 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Radium-226 N/A N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Ammonia N/A N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG11-W12
Water Surface Water Uranium N/A 1.02 µg/L 0.34 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water pH N/A 8.15 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Arsenic N/A 0.89 µg/L 0.86 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids N/A 209 mg/L 192 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Radium-226 N/A <0.004 Bq/L <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Ammonia N/A 0.18 mg/L <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG11-W13
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.38 µg/L N/A 0.37 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water pH 7.0 N/A 8.3 6.5–9.0 No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Arsenic 1.31 µg/L N/A 0.83 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 252 mg/L N/A 208 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A <1.70 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A 0.2 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG12-W15
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.39 µg/L N/A N/A 15 µg/L No WG12-W16
Water Surface Water pH 8.1 N/A N/A 6.5–9.0 No WG12-W16
Water Surface Water Arsenic 0.98 µg/L N/A N/A 5 µg/L No WG12-W16
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 231 mg/L N/A N/A 500 mg/L No WG12-W16
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.009 Bq/L N/A N/A 0.5 Bq/L No WG12-W16
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A N/A 0.3 mg/L No WG12-W16
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 0.84 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG13-SE09
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 2.25 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG13-SE09
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 18 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG13-SE09
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A N/A 0.84 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG13-SE09
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A N/A 0.94 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG13-SE09
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A N/A 14.5 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG13-SE09
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A 6.56 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG13-W14
Water Surface Water Uranium N/A N/A 0.82 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG13-W16
Water Surface Water pH N/A N/A 8 6.5–9.0 No WG13-W16
Water Surface Water Arsenic N/A N/A 0.43 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG13-W16
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids N/A N/A 371 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG13-W16
Water Surface Water Radium-226 N/A N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG13-W16
Water Surface Water Ammonia N/A N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG13-W16
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 0.5 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 0.96 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 18 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Uranium N/A N/A 1.07 mg/kg dry weight N/A No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Arsenic N/A N/A 1.84 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 5 cm Radium-226 N/A N/A 15.2 Bq/kg dry weight 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG14-SE10
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Uranium 0.51 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A N/A No WG14-SE11
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Arsenic 1.46 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A 5.9 mg/kg dry weight No WG14-SE11
Sediment 0 - 10 cm Radium-226 22 Bq/kg dry weight N/A N/A 4800 Bq/kg dry weight No WG14-SE11
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.50 µg/L N/A 0.65 µg/L 15 µg/L No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water pH 8.2 N/A 7.9 6.5–9.0 No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water Arsenic 1.57 µg/L N/A 0.30 µg/L 5 µg/L No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 269 mg/L N/A 408 mg/L 500 mg/L No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water Phosphorus N/A N/A 5.17 µg/L 4 - 100 µg/L No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water Radium-226 0.01 Bq/L N/A <0.010 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No WG14-W17
Water Surface Water Ammonia <0.1 mg/L N/A <0.1 mg/L 0.3 mg/L No WG14-W17

1 The < symbol indicates that a result is below the provided laboratory analytical detection limit.

2 For water samples, the results for non-radiological parameters are compared to the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment’s (CCME) Canadian Water Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life; where no CCME guidelines exist, Health Canada’s Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality are used.

3 For radiological parameters where no guidelines exist, CNSC screening levels (also known as reference levels) were established based on conservative assumptions using CSA Group Standard N288.1-14 and ICRP 119. The screening level for a particular radionuclide in a particular medium (e.g., water, air, food) represents the activity concentration that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/y (millisieverts/year), a dose at which no health impacts are expected.

4 N/A - not available

Background

Under the NSCA, licensees of nuclear facilities are required to implement an environmental monitoring program (EMP) to demonstrate that the public and the environment are protected from emissions related to the facilities' nuclear activities. The results of these monitoring programs are submitted to the CNSC to ensure compliance with the applicable guidelines and limits, as set out in the regulations that govern 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 the CNSC's ongoing compliance verification program, but complementary to it. The IEMP involves taking samples from public 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 areas outside of the Welcome and Port Granby WMF site perimeters were sampled in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

2017 results

CNSC staff taking a sediment sample from Brand Creek, Port Hope.

The 2017 IEMP sampling plan for the Welcome and Port Granby WMF sites focused on both radioactive and hazardous contaminants. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on CNL's approved EMP, CSA Group standards and the CNSC's regulatory experience with the site. Samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the perimeter of the Welcome and Port Granby WMF sites and included water and sediment. View detailed sampling data.

The measured radioactivity of radium-226 in water samples was below levels in federal and provincial environmental quality guidelines and standards. Similarly, the measured radioactivity of radium-226 in sediment samples was below CNSC screening levels, which are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/a. At this dose level, which represents one-tenth of the CNSC's public dose limit of 1 mSv/a, no health impacts are expected.

The concentrations of analyzed hazardous substances were below levels in federal and provincial environmental quality guidelines and standards, with the exception of one water sample in Brand Creek that exceeded guidelines for arsenic and total dissolved solids (TDS). The slightly elevated arsenic concentration from Brand Creek is consistent with monitoring results reported by the licensee and in past IEMP sampling results. The federal guideline for TDS is an aesthetic objective only and the results measured do not pose any concern for the environment or human health. Even when arsenic and TDS concentrations are considered, the results are still indicative of levels where no adverse health effects are expected.

Past results

The 2013 and 2014 IEMP sampling plans for the Port Hope and Port Granby Project sites were very similar to the 2017 IEMP sampling plan. CNSC staff collected water and sediment samples in publicly accessible areas outside the site perimeters. View detailed sampling data.

In both years, the results for radioactive substances were comparable to the 2017 results, which were below federal and provincial environmental quality guidelines and standards.

The results of analyzed hazardous substances were below levels in federal and provincial environmental quality guidelines and standards, with the exception of arsenic in water and sediment, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in water along Brand Creek in 2013 and 2014. The slightly elevated arsenic concentrations measured in water and sediment samples along Brand Creek are consistent with monitoring results reported by the licensee. The federal guideline for TDS is an aesthetic objective only and the results measured do not pose any concern for the environment or human health. Even when arsenic and TDS concentrations are considered, the results are still indicative of levels where no adverse health effects are expected.

Conclusions

The IEMP results confirm that the public and the environment in the vicinity of the Welcome and Port Granby WMF sites are protected and that there are no adverse environmental and health effects as a result of site operations. These results are consistent with the results submitted by CNL, demonstrating that the licensee's environmental protection program protects the health and safety of people and the environment.

To obtain the full technical IEMP reports, contact us at cnsc.info.ccsn@canada.ca or call 613‑995-5894 or 1-800-668-5284 (in Canada). Please provide the name of the facility and the reporting year requested.

>Endnotes

Footnote 1

The legal agreement was amended in 2003, 2006 and 2009.

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