Environmental Protection Review Report: Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) conducts environmental protection reviews (EPRs) for all nuclear facilities with potential project-environmental interactions, in accordance with its mandate under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act to ensure the protection of the environment and the health of persons. An EPR is a science-based environmental technical assessment conducted by CNSC staff. The fulfillment of other aspects of the CNSC’s mandate, such as regulating safety and security, are met through other oversight activities.

This EPR report was written by CNSC staff as a stand alone document, describing the scientific and evidence-based findings from CNSC staff’s review of New Brunswick Power Corporation’s (NB Power) environmental protection measures. Under NB Power’s current Power Reactor Operating Licence, PROL 17.01/2022, NB Power is permitted to operate the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (Point Lepreau NGS), in Point Lepreau, New Brunswick.

CNSC staff’s EPR report focuses on items that are of Indigenous, public and regulatory interest, such as potential environmental releases from normal operations, as well as risk of radiological and hazardous substances to the receiving environment, valued components and species at risk.

This EPR report includes CNSC staff’s assessment of documents submitted by the licensee from 2015 to 2021, such as, but not limited to, the following:

the results of NB Power’s environmental monitoring, as reported in annual compliance reports
NB Power’s 2016 Point Lepreau Generating Station Site-Wide Risk Assessment
NB Power’s 2021 Point Lepreau Generating Station Environmental Risk Assessment
NB Power’s preliminary decommissioning plan
the results of the CNSC’s Independent Environmental Monitoring Program
the results from other environmental monitoring programs and/or health studies completed by other levels of government in proximity to NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS

Based on CNSC staff’s assessment and evaluation of NB Power’s documentation and data, CNSC staff have found that potential risks from radiological and hazardous releases to the atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial and human environments are low to negligible and tend to be similar to natural background. Futher, the potential risks to human health are not impacted by operations at the Point Lepreau NGS and are indistinguishable to health outcomes found in the general public. CNSC staff have also found that NB Power continues to implement and maintain effective environmental protection measures to adequately protect the environment and the health of persons. CNSC staff will continue to verify NB Power’s environmental protection programs through ongoing licensing and compliance activities.

The information provided in this EPR report summarizes CNSC staff’s findings that may inform and support staff recommendations to the Commission in future licensing and regulatory decisions. CNSC staff’s findings do not represent the Commission’s conclusions. The Commission’s decision-making will be informed by submissions from CNSC staff, the licensee, as well as Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and any interventions heard during public hearings on licensing matters.

For more information on NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS, visit CNSC’s webpage and NB Power’s webpage. References used throughout this document are available upon request and requests can be sent to ea-ee@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Purpose
- 1.2 Facility overview
  - 1.2.1 Site description
  - 1.2.2 Facility operations
2.0 Regulatory oversight
3.0 Status of the environment
- 3.1 Releases to the environment
- 3.2 Environmental effects assessment
4.0 CNSC independent environmental monitoring program
5.0 Health studies
6.0 Other environmental monitoring programs
- 6.1 National Pollutant Release Inventory
- 6.2 Health Canada’s Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network and Fixed Point Surveillance Program
7.0 Conclusions
- 7.1 CNSC staff follow-up
- 7.2 CNSC staff’s conclusions
Abbreviations
References

list of tables

Table 2.1: Federal EAs and EPRs completed for the Point Lepreau NGS
Table 2.2: Status of EP measures to implement regulatory documents and standards
Table 2.3: Summary of ERA conclusions for the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 9}
Table 3.1: Annual non-radiological air emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Table 3.2: Annual radiological air emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Table 3.3: Annual non-radiological measurements in domestic wastewater (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Table 3.4: Annual radiological waterborne releases from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Table 3.5: Annual tritium sampling near the Point Lepreau NGS (2015-2020)Lepreau NGS
Table 3.7: Estimated annual public doses for the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Table 3.6: Status of terrestrial species at risk potentially present around the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 16}
Table 4.1: Sampling plan for the 2020/2021 IEMP campaign at the Point Lepreau NGS
Table 6.1: Annual external gamma doses for 2020 at the FPS network monitoring stations near the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 85}

list of figures

Figure 1.1: EPR framework
Figure 1.2: Location of the Point Lepreau NGS site
Figure 1.3: Aerial view of the Point Lepreau NGS site
Figure 3.1. Conceptual model of the environment around a generic nuclear generating station site
Figure 3.2: Ambient gamma measurements from the Point Lepreau NGS in 2020 ^{Footnote 2}
Figure 4.1: Overview of the 2020/2021 sampling locations ^{Footnote 49}

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) conducts environmental protection reviews (EPRs) for all nuclear facilities with potential interactions with the environment, in accordance with its mandate under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA). CNSC staff assess the environmental and health effects of nuclear facilities and/or activities at every phase of a facility’s lifecycle. As shown in figure 1.1, an EPR is a science-based environmental technical assessment conducted by CNSC staff to support the CNSC’s mandate for the protection of the environment and human health as set out in the NSCA. The fulfillment of other aspects of the CNSC’s mandate, such as safety and security, are met through other regulatory oversight activities and are outside the scope of this report. EPRs are typically conducted every five years and are based on a licensee’s environmental protection (EP) program and documentation submitted by licensees as per regulatory reporting requirements.

This EPR report is CNSC staff’s assessment of New Brunswick Power Corporation’s (NB Power) EP and environmental compliance activities for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (Point Lepreau NGS). This review serves to assess whether NB Power’s environmental protection measures at the Point Lepreau NGS adequately protect the environment and health of persons.

Figure 1.1: EPR framework

This EPR report presents information pertaining to the protection of the environment and human health. No decision is made on the EPR itself. CNSC staff’s findings may inform and support recommendations to the Commission in future licensing and regulatory decision making, as well as inform CNSC staff’s future compliance and verification activities. CNSC staff’s findings do not represent the Commission’s conclusions. The Commission’s conclusions and decisions are informed by information submitted by CNSC staff, the licensee, as well as Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and any interventions heard during public hearings on licensing matters. The information in this EPR report is intended to inform Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and interested stakeholders.

EPR reports are prepared to thoroughly document CNSC staff’s assessment relating to a licensee’s EP measures and are posted online for information and transparency. Posting EPR reports online, separately from the documents drafted during the licensing process, allows interested Indigenous Nations and communities and members of the public additional time to review EP-related information ahead of any licensing hearings or Commission decisions.

This EPR report is based on information submitted by NB Power, compliance and technical assessment activities completed by CNSC staff from 2015 to 2021, as well as the following:

regulatory oversight activities (section 2.0)
CNSC staff’s review of NB Power’s preliminary decommissioning plan (PDP) ^{Footnote 1} (section 2.2)
CNSC staff’s review of NB Power’s annual compliance reports for EP ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
CNSC staff’s review of NB Power’s 2016 Point Lepreau Generating Station Site-Wide Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) ^{Footnote 8} (section 3.2)
CNSC staff’s review of NB Power’s 2021 Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Environmental Risk Assessment Update ^{Footnote 9} (section 3.2)
Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP) results (section 4.0)
health studies with relevance to the Point Lepreau NGS (section 5.0)
other environmental monitoring programs in proximity to the Point Lepreau NGS site (section 6.0)

A review has been conducted for all environmental components related to the licensed facility, however only selected topics related to EP are presented in detail in this report. These topics were selected based on those that have historically been of interest to Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and the Commission.

This EPR report focuses on topics related to the environmental performance of the facility, including atmospheric (emissions) and liquid (effluent) releases to the environment, the potential transfer of contaminants of potential concern (COPCs) through key environmental pathways and associated potential exposures and/or effects on valued components (VCs), including human and non-human biota. VCs refer to environmental biophysical or human features that may be impacted by a project. The value of a component relates not only to its role in the ecosystem, but also to the value people place on it. For example, it may have scientific, social, cultural, economic, historical, archaeological or aesthetic importance. The focus is on radiological and hazardous substances associated with activities undertaken at the Point Lepreau NGS, with additional information provided on other topics of Indigenous, public and/or regulatory interest, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. CNSC staff also present information on relevant regional environmental or health monitoring, including studies conducted by the CNSC (such as the IEMP) or other governmental organizations.

1.2 Facility overview

This section of the report provides general information on the Point Lepreau NGS site, including a description of the site location and a basic history of site activities and licensing. This information is intended to provide context for later sections of this report, which discuss completed and ongoing environmental and regulatory oversight activities.

1.2.1 site description

The Point Lepreau NGS lies within the traditional and treaty territories of the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq and Peskotomuhkati Nations. The facility is located on the northern coast of the Bay of Fundy, on the Lepreau Peninsula, which is approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Saint John, New Brunswick (figure 1.2). Owned and operated by NB Power, the Point Lepreau NGS site houses several facilities associated with the production of energy, including a single nuclear reactor, as well as a nuclear waste management facility located northeast of the nuclear generating station within the site perimeter.

Figure 1.2: Location of the Point Lepreau NGS site

Source: Adapted from Google Maps

The Point Lepreau NGS is situated in a sparsely populated rural area of southwestern New Brunswick. The closest communities, Maces Bay, Dipper Harbour and Chance Harbour, are within 10 kilometres of the station. The Bay of Fundy, known for its extremely high marine tides, surrounds the site on the east, south and west sides, and includes two close-by inlets called Indian Cove and Duck Cove (see figure 1.3 below). In addition to the marine ecosystem, the environment surrounding the Point Lepreau NGS also consists of small streams, bogs, freshwater ponds, wetlands, and wooded areas mainly dominated by conifers. Lobster, herring, pollock and cod fishing, as well as salmon farming are important commercial activities in the region.

1.2.2 Facility operations

NB Power operates a single Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) pressurized heavy water reactor that uses natural uranium fuel and delivers an electrical output of 705 megawatts. The Point Lepreau NGS has been in commercial operation since 1983. Between 2008 and 2012, NB Power extended the operating life of the station to at least 2032 by re-tubing the reactor and refurbishing other components of the station.

NB Power’s current CNSC licence (Power Reactor Operating Licence (PROL) 17.01/2022) expires at the end of June 2022. Under the same licence, NB Power is also authorized to operate the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility (SRWMF), which has been receiving nuclear waste from the Point Lepreau NGS since 1984. The SRWMF is used for the storage of low- and intermediate-level solid radioactive waste and spent reactor fuel coming from onsite activities.

Other onsite facilities and infrastructure include:

a capped decommissioned landfill that contains inactive conventional wastes, including construction debris, cafeteria waste, paper waste, metal waste, and wood waste
a sewage treatment plant that receives and treats black and grey waters (that is, non-radioactive waste streams) from throughout the site
a fire-fighter training area that is used by NB Power and municipal firefighters for training purposes
a firing range on the south-western portion of the site that is used by the Point Lepreau Nuclear Response Force for training purposes
an industrial wastewater treatment facility that includes two lagoons for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of non-radioactive aqueous wastes

Figure 1.3 below shows an aerial view of the Point Lepreau NGS site with the main facilities and infrastructures.

Figure 1.3: Aerial view of the Point Lepreau NGS site

Source: Adapted from Google Maps using information from ^{Footnote 1} and ^{Footnote 9}

2.0 Regulatory oversight

The CNSC regulates nuclear facilities and activities in Canada to protect the environment and the health and safety of persons in a manner that is consistent with applicable legislation and regulations, environmental policies and with Canada’s international obligations. The CNSC assesses the effects of nuclear facilities and activities to human health and the environment at every phase of a facility’s lifecycle. This section of the EPR report discusses the CNSC’s regulatory oversight of NB Power’s EP measures for the Point Lepreau NGS.

To meet the CNSC’s regulatory requirements and according to NB Power’s licensing basis, NB Power is responsible for implementing and maintaining EP measures that identify, control and (where necessary) monitor releases of radiological and hazardous substances, and effects on human health and the environment, from the Point Lepreau NGS. These EP measures must comply with, or have implementation plans in place to comply with the regulatory requirements found in NB Power’s licence and licence conditions handbook (LCH). The relevant regulatory requirements for NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS are outlined in this section of the report.

2.1 Environmental protection reviews and assessments

EPR reports are produced as part of the CNSC’s EP framework under the NSCA and associated regulations. These reports are posted to inform and provide greater transparency for Indigenous Nations and communities and the public. EPR reports may be used by CNSC staff to support recommendations to the Commission for licensing as a reference in CNSC staff’s Commission member document (CMD) and other regulatory decision making.

To date, three federal environmental assessments (EAs) and two EPRs (including this one) have been carried out for the Point Lepreau NGS site, as indicated in table 2.1 below. Subsection 2.1.1 provides a description of the most recent EA conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992 (CEAA 1992) ^{Footnote 10}, predecessor to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) ^{Footnote 11}, whereas subsection 2.1.2 provides information on the most recent EPR. Going forward, future activities at the Point Lepreau NGS facility may require an impact assessment (IA) under the Impact Assessment Act of Canada (IAA) ^{Footnote 12} or an assessment under provincial environmental legislation. The purpose of any one of these assessments is to identify the possible effects of a proposed project or activity on the environment and to determine whether those effects can be adequately mitigated to protect the environment and the health of persons.

Table 2.1: Federal EAs and EPRs completed for the Point Lepreau NGS
Project	Applicable process and legislation	EA or EPR start date	EA or licensing decision date
Point Lepreau NGS Site Construction	EA under the Federal Environmental Assessment Review Process	1973	1977
Second Nuclear Reactor at Point Lepreau, New Brunswick	EA under the Federal Environmental Assessment Review Process	1983	1985
Modifications to the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility	EA under CEAA 1992	2001	2004
EPR for the 2017 Point Lepreau NGS Licence Renewal	EPR under the NSCA	2016	2017
EPR for Point Lepreau NGS	EPR under the NSCA	2021	N/A*

* “N/A” stands for “not applicable” because in 2021, the CNSC started a new approach for posting EPR reports on a regular cycle, separate from a specific licensing decision, with summaries posted on the CNSC’s EPR webpage ^{Footnote 13} and full reports appearing on Canada’s Open Government Portal ^{Footnote 14}. The present report will be available on both platforms once complete.

2.1.1 Previous EA completed under CEAA 1992

In 2000, NB Power began to plan refurbishment activities at the Point Lepreau NGS. In order to manage the radioactive waste generated from the proposed refurbishment work and operational timeframe extension, NB Power requested to modify and expand the storage capacity of the SRWMF. The proposed SRWMF project included extending the two existing storage areas and constructing a third storage area for the containment of radioactive waste arising from refurbishment activities.

At the time, CNSC staff reviewed the proposed SRWMF project and determined that an amendment to NB Power’s SRWMF operating licence was required. CNSC staff also determined that a screening-level EA under CEAA 1992 ^{Footnote 12} was required before the CNSC could consider NB Power’s application to amend the SRWMF licence under the NSCA. The proposed project also required a provincial EA pursuant to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act ^{Footnote 15}. CNSC staff and the Government of New Brunswick agreed to harmonize the federal and provincial EA processes, with the CNSC leading the joint process.

Pursuant to subsection 17(1) of CEAA 1992, the conduct of the technical support studies, public engagement program and preparation of an EA study report were delegated to NB Power. In May 2003, NB Power submitted the EA study report ^{Footnote 16} to CNSC staff and the Government of New Brunswick, who reviewed and accepted it as the basis for the development of the EA screening report.

In August 2003, following the Commission’s consideration of the EA screening report ^{Footnote 17} written by CNSC staff in collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick, the Commission issued its Reasons for Decision for the proposed modifications to the SRWMF ^{Footnote 18}, concluding that the project, taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures, would not likely cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The EA process identified the need for an EA follow-up program. The EA follow-up program for the SRWMF project ^{Footnote 19} included the following activities:

conducting internal assessments of health, safety and environmental programs
expanding NB Power’s existing radiation environmental monitoring program (REMP) to include sampling at the new SRMWF locations
performing non-radiological baseline monitoring
implementing an environmental protection program for the construction activities at the SRWMF
continuing public consultation until refurbishment work is complete

All EA follow-up requirements have been met by NB Power ^{Footnote 19}.

2.1.2 Previous EPR completed under the NSCA

In 2016, NB Power applied to the CNSC to renew the Point Lepreau NGS operating licence, PROL 17.04/2017 ^{Footnote 20}, which was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2017. NB Power requested a renewal of the licence for a period of five years to continue with current operations.

CNSC staff prepared an EPR report under the NSCA for this licence renewal ^{Footnote 21}. The EPR included CNSC staff’s assessment of the licence application and the documents submitted as part of the licensing and regulatory requirements (including the ERA, PDP, and annual compliance reports), as well as the results of previous studies, compliance verification activities conducted at the Point Lepreau NGS (such as inspections, audits and reviews), and the results of the CNSC’s IEMP.

CNSC staff found that NB Power had made and would continue to make adequate provisions for the protection of the environment and the health of persons. A two-part public Commission hearing on the licence application was held on January 27, 2017 and May 9 to 11, 2017. On September 8, 2017, the Commission renewed the Point Lepreau NGS operating licence for a period of 5 years ^{Footnote 22}.

2.2 Planned end-state

Under the NSCA, CNSC staff assess the environmental and health effects of nuclear facilities and/or activities at every phase of a facility’s lifecycle. The following section provides high-level information with respect to the planned end-state of the Point Lepreau NGS site following decommissioning activities. This section is informed by NB Power’s 2020 PDP for the Point Lepreau NGS.

The CNSC requires that planning for decommissioning take place throughout the lifecycle of a nuclear facility or for the duration of the licensed activity. Planning for decommissioning is an integral part of the lifecycle planning of a facility and it is an ongoing process. A PDP is developed by the licensee and submitted to the CNSC for review and acceptance as early as possible in the lifecycle of the facility or the conduct of the licensed activity. The PDP is progressively updated, where needed, to reflect the appropriate level of detail required for the respective licensed activities. Prior to the commencement of any decommissioning activities and to support an application for a licence to decommission, a detailed decommissioning plan (or DDP) is developed by the licensee and submitted to the CNSC for review and acceptance.

The PDP documents the decommissioning strategy and end-state objectives, the major decontamination, dismantling and remediation steps, the approximate quantities and types of waste generated, the principal hazards and protection strategies, and an estimate of costs associated with these activities. The PDP is developed for planning purposes only and the associated cost estimate is used to develop dedicated decommissioning funding in the form of a financial guarantee. The PDP is not meant to be implemented and does not provide sufficient details for the assessment of environmental impacts during decommissioning. This information is required to be submitted at a later date in support of an application for a licence to decommission. As a full lifecycle regulator, the CNSC will continue to carry out regulatory oversight until the planned end-state is achieved and the facility is released from the CNSC’s regulatory control.

The PDPs for nuclear facilities are updated periodically by the licensee and reviewed by CNSC staff. The decommissioning strategy and end-state objectives for the Point Lepreau NGS are documented in the 2020 Preliminary Decommissioning Plan for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station ^{Footnote 1}, which will be reviewed by CNSC staff before the next Commission hearing for the Point Lepreau NGS.

NB Power’s preliminary decommissioning strategy for the Point Lepreau NGS includes maintaining a period of storage with surveillance of about 30 years following permanent shutdown, which can only occur once regulatory approvals for decommissioning are obtained. This deferred decommissioning strategy is currently identified as the best approach in NB Power’s PDP as it minimizes the potential radiation exposure to both the decommissioning staff and the public. The objective of the decommissioning plan is to permanently retire the Point Lepreau NGS from service in a manner that will ensure the health, safety, and security of workers, the public and the environment.

2.3 Environmental regulatory framework and protection measures

The CNSC has a comprehensive EP regulatory framework which includes both radiological and hazardous substances, physical stressors (such as noise), the protection of Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and the environment. Public dose is considered under the EP framework, as well as from a radiation protection standpoint. The focus of this section of the EPR report is on the EP regulatory framework and the status of NB Power’s environmental protection program (EPP) for the Point Lepreau NGS. The results derived from this EPP are detailed in section 3.0 of this report.

The EPP at NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS was designed and implemented in accordance with CNSC REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Policies, Programs and Procedures (2013) ^{Footnote 23}, as well as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards listed below. The EPP is carried out through an environmental monitoring program (EMP). NB Power is required to update its EMP to meet the latest version of REGDOC 2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures (2020) ^{Footnote 24} and the current versions of the associated CSA standards. The implementation status for these items is shown in table 2.2 below.

Table 2.2: Status of EP measures to implement regulatory documents and standards
Regulatory document or standard	Status
CNSC Regulatory Document REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Policies, Programs and Procedures (2013) ^{Footnote 23}	Implemented
CNSC Regulatory Document REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures (2020) ^{Footnote 24}	Scheduled for September 2021
CSA N288.1-14, Guidelines for Calculating Derived Release Limits for Radioactive Material in Airborne and Liquid Effluents for Normal Operation of Nuclear Facilities ^{Footnote 25}	Implemented
CSA Standard N288.2-14, Guidelines for Calculating the Radiological Consequences to the Public of a Release of Airborne Radioactive Material for Nuclear Reactor Accidents ^{Footnote 26}	Scheduled for December 2021
CSA N288.4-10, Environmental Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 27}	Implemented
CSA Standard N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Program at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 28}	Implemented
CSA Standard N288.6-12, Environmental Risk Assessment at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 29}	Implemented
CSA Standard N288.7-15, Groundwater Protection Programs at Class 1 Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 30}	Implemented

CNSC staff confirm that NB Power has either implemented its EMP according to the relevant EP regulatory documents or standards, or has implementation plans in place. NB Power has committed to a schedule, such that its programs will be designed and implemented according to REGDOC-2.9.1 (2020) ^{Footnote 24}.

NB Power is also required to report on the results of its EMP in quarterly reports on safety performance and annual reports on EP. Reporting requirements are specified within REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants ^{Footnote 31}, the Radiation Protection Regulations ^{Footnote 32}, the licensees’ approved programs and manuals, and the LCH ^{Footnote 33}. CNSC staff review NB Power’s quarterly and annual reports for compliance and verification, as well as trending. Annual compliance reports are available on NB Power’s website ^{Footnote 34}.

NB Power is also required to submit reports and notifications for events, including those related to EP. CNSC staff review these events to ensure timely and appropriate corrective actions are taken.

CNSC staff regularly report on the licensee’s performance to the Commission for activities conducted at the Point Lepreau NGS, including operational issues resulting in potential releases to the environment. Regulatory oversight reports (RORs) are a standard mechanism for updating Indigenous Nations and communities, the public and the Commission on the operation and regulatory performance of licensed facilities. RORs are available on the CNSC’s website ^{Footnote 35}.

2.3.1 Environmental protection measures

To meet the CNSC’s regulatory requirements under REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23}, NB Power is responsible for implementing and maintaining EP measures that identify, control and monitor releases of radioactive and hazardous substances, and effects on human health and the environment from the Point Lepreau NGS. EP measures are an important component of the overall requirement of licensees to make adequate provisions to protect the environment and health of persons.

This, and the following subsections, provide a brief summary of NB Power’s EPP for the Point Lepreau NGS and the status of each specific EP measure, relative to the requirements or guidance outlined in REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23} and in the CSA standards. The components to meet these requirements or guidance are the following:

environmental management system (EMS) (subsection 2.3.2)
environmental risk assessment (ERA) (subsection 2.3.3)
effluent emissions control and monitoring (subsection 2.3.4)
environmental monitoring program (EMP) (subsection 2.3.5)

Section 3.0 of this EPR report summarizes the results of these programs or measures against relevant regulatory limits and environmental quality objectives or guidelines, and discusses, where applicable, any interesting trends.

2.3.2 Environmental management system

An EMS refers to the management of an organization’s environmental policies, programs and procedures in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It includes the organizational structure as well as planning and resources to develop, implement and maintain a policy for EP. An EMS requires facilities to continuously improve their EPP, including periodic updates to the ERA, which would drive improvements to a facility’s effluent and environmental monitoring programs. The EMS serves as a management tool to integrate all of a licensee’s EP measures in a documented, managed and auditable process, in order to:

identify and manage non-compliances and corrective actions within the activities, through internal and external inspections and audits
summarize and report the performance of these activities both internally (licensee management) and externally (Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and the Commission)
train personnel involved in these activities
ensure the availability of resources (i.e., qualified personnel, organizational infrastructure, technology and financial resources)
define and delegate roles, responsibilities and authorities essential to effective management

NB Power established and implemented an EMS for the Point Lepreau NGS in accordance with REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23}, and the EMS is continuously updated to reflect modifications or revisions to any of the CSA standards. CSA standard N288.2-14, Guidelines for Calculating the Radiological Consequences to the Public of a Release of Airborne Radioactive Material for Nuclear Reactor Accidents ^{Footnote 26} is scheduled to be implemented into the EMS for the Point Lepreau NGS in December 2021. NB Power’s EMS is also registered and certified under the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 14001:2015 standard^{Footnote 2}.During environment-focused compliance inspections, CNSC staff review NB Power’s annual internal audits, management reviews, and environmental goals, targets and objectives to ensure compliance with REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013). While formal ISO certification is not solely considered by the CNSC as meeting the requirements of REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013), the results of these third-party audits are reviewed by CNSC staff as part of the compliance program. CNSC staff also review the status of NB Power’s annual goals, targets and objectives and the implementation of the EMS as part of CNSC staff’s review of the annual reports on EP.

The results of these reviews demonstrate that NB Power’s EMS for the Point Lepreau NGS meets the CNSC’s requirements as outlined in REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23}. The implementation of the EMS ensures that NB Power continues to improve environmental performance at the Point Lepreau NGS.

2.3.3 Environmental risk assessment

An ERA of nuclear facilities is a systematic process used by licensees to identify, quantify and characterize the risk posed by contaminants and physical stressors in the environment on human and other biological receptors, including the magnitude and extent of the potential effects associated with a facility. The ERA serves as the basis for the development of site-specific EP control measures, and EMPs. The results of these programs, in turn, inform and refine future revisions of the ERA.

In 2020, NB Power submitted the Point Lepreau Generating Station Environmental Risk Assessment Update ^{Footnote 9} in accordance with the requirements set out in CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental Risk Assessment at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 29}, which stipulates that licensees must review and revise their ERA every five years. In June 2021, NB Power revised the 2021 ERA to address CNSC staff’s comments. The last ERA submitted by NB Power to the CNSC for the Point Lepreau NGS was in 2016.

NB Power’s conclusions in the 2021 ERA are summarized in table 2.3 below. CNSC staff agree with NB Power’s conclusion that the overall risk to the environment and human health from the Point Lepreau NGS is low to negligible. There is, however, the potential for some risks of low probability and limited extent for some aquatic and terrestrial biota due to chemical stressors (see subsections 3.2.3.3 and 3.2.4.3 for details). CNSC staff requested that NB Power further assess this potential risk and, in response, the revised ERA makes recommendations to better characterize the Point Lepreau NGS site. These recommendations include increased soil and surface water sampling activities, consideration of exposure of amphibians to contamination in soil and sediment, and recording of seal presence, entrapment and mortality events in the area. CNSC staff reviewed and agreed with the recommendations and will follow NB Power’s progress toward completion of the ERA recommendations. Overall, CNSC staff found that the 2021 ERA satisfied all technical comments, and therefore, deemed it acceptable.

NB Power is expected to revise and submit an updated ERA every five years, or if there is a change to the facility’s operations or in the scientific understanding and methodology of the ERA. The next update of the Point Lepreau NGS ERA is expected in 2025.

Table 2.3: Summary of ERA conclusions for the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 9}
Type	Members of the public	Aquatic and terrestrial biota
Radiological	No adverse impacts expected from radiological COPCs released from the Point Lepreau NGS.	No adverse impacts expected from radiological COPCs released from the Point Lepreau NGS.
Non-radiological	No adverse impacts expected from non-radiological COPCs released from the Point Lepreau NGS.	No adverse impacts expected from non-radiological COPCs released from the Point Lepreau NGS on marine biota. Low potential for risks on birds, mammals, earthworms, terrestrial plants and aquatic species from exposure to one or more metals present onsite.
Physical stressors	No adverse impacts expected to human health from noise at the Point Lepreau NGS.	No adverse impacts expected from physical stressors (e.g., thermal aquatic, impingement and entrainment, noise) associated with the operation of the Point Lepreau NGS.

2.3.4 Effluent and emissions control and monitoring

Controls on environmental releases are established to provide protection to the environment and to respect the principles of sustainable development and pollution prevention. The effluent and emissions prevention and control measures are established based on industry best practice, the application of optimization (in design) and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines, Health Canada’s guidelines for drinking water quality, and results from the licensee’s ERAs.

The Point Lepreau NGS’s EPP contains site-specific derived release limits (DRLs) to control radiological effluents and emissions. The DRLs represent the maximum acceptable level of radionuclides that can be released from operations at the Point Lepreau NGS, and are derived from the dose limit for members of the public (that is, 1 millisievert (mSv) per year). Although there are no site-specific DRLs for hazardous substances, these are controlled through limits or thresholds established by different federal and provincial acts and regulations, and specified in regulatory documents (including permits, approvals) issued to NB Power (see section 2.4 for more information).

In addition, in accordance with NB Power’s licence, NB Power is required to establish site-specific environmental action levels (EALs) that provide an early warning for any actual or potential losses of control associated with the EPP. NB Power must document, report and investigate exceedances of licence limits and EALs to the CNSC, as well as take appropriate corrective action where warranted.

The Point Lepreau NGS’s effluent monitoring program has been reviewed and approved by CNSC staff and is in compliance with REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23} and the relevant standards, including CSA standard N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Program at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 28}. Based on compliance and technical assessment activities, CNSC staff have found that the effluent monitoring program currently in place for the Point Lepreau NGS demonstrate that the measures in place continue to protect human health and the environment.

2.3.5 Environmental monitoring program

The CNSC requires licensees to design and implement an EMP that is specific to the monitoring and assessment requirements of the licensed facility and its surrounding environment. The program is required to:

measure contaminants in the environmental media surrounding the facility or site
determine the effects, if any, of the facility or site operations on people and the environment
serve as a secondary support to emission monitoring programs to demonstrate the effectiveness of emission controls

NB Power is required to maintain an EMP to be in compliance with REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) ^{Footnote 23} and relevant standards, including CSA Standard N288.4-10, Environmental Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 27}. The EMP for the Point Lepreau NGS is designed to address the potential environmental interactions identified at the site and gather the necessary environmental data to calculate public dose and demonstrate compliance with the public dose limit (1 mSv per year). Though radionuclides are the major focus at the Point Lepreau NGS, hazardous substances are also part of monitoring activities associated with the EMP. In fact, the EMP for facility is divided into two categories: the radiation EMP (REMP) for radiological substances and other activities associated with non-radiological monitoring and reporting.

NB Power’s REMP consists of monitoring radionuclides (such as carbon-14, tritium, potassium-40, cesium-137, etc.) in different media, such as ambient air, soil, vegetation, rainwater, seawater, seafood, garden vegetables, berries and milk, while monitoring activities for hazardous releases focus on collecting, analyzing and reporting data for ozone-depleting substances and halocarbons, domestic and industrial wastewater, and non-radiological air emissions. The sampled media, locations and frequencies are detailed in NB Power’s annual compliance reports, which are available on NB Power’s website ^{Footnote 34}.

Based on compliance activities and technical assessments, CNSC staff have concluded that NB Power is in compliance with REGDOC-2.9.1 (2013) and continues to implement and maintain an effective EMP for the Point Lepreau NGS that adequately protects the environment and the health of persons.

2.4 Reporting of releases under other Federal or Provincial legislation

A core element of the CNSC’s requirement for an EMS is the identification of all regulatory requirements applicable to the facility, whether pursuant to the NSCA or other federal or provincial legislation. The EMS must ensure that programs are in place to respect these requirements.

2.4.1 Greenhouse gas emissions

While there is a range of broadly applicable federal environmental regulations (such as petroleum products storage tanks, environmental emergency regulations), the management of GHG emissions has been identified as a national priority.

Under the federal Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) ^{Footnote 36}, NB Power is required to monitor and report on GHG emissions ^{Footnote 37}. Nuclear facilities that emit more than the emission reporting threshold (that is, 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent) on an annual basis must report its GHG emissions to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

NB Power has been well below all GHG emission thresholds in past years, and therefore, has not been required to report on GHG emissions in the annual compliance reports.

The CNSC maintains a collaborative working relationship with ECCC through a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU), which includes a notification protocol. An exceedance of the GHG emission threshold would be included under this notification protocol. This ensures a coordinated regulatory approach is achieved to meet all federal requirements associated with EP, including GHGs.

2.4.2 Halocarbons

In Canada, the federal and provincial governments have legislation in place for the protection of the ozone layer and management of ozone-depleting substances and their halocarbon alternatives. In accordance with the Federal Halocarbon Regulations ^{Footnote 38} and the New Brunswick Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbon Regulation ^{Footnote 39}, NB Power is required to provide a halocarbon release report to ECCC and the province of New Brunswick for the Point Lepreau NGS.

Between 2015 and 2020, NB Power reported only one halocarbon release of 13.2 kilograms of the R-22 refrigerant in 2015. The releases were in accordance with ECCC’s Federal Halocarbon Regulations and CNSC staff have found that there was little environmental impact from the R-11 release.

2.4.3 Sulphur dioxide and other emissions

Under the authority of CEPA 1999 ^{Footnote 36}, NB Power is required to estimate the total sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from oil and diesel fuel consumption at the Point Lepreau NGS and report to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) ^{Footnote 40}, provided that the threshold for reporting is met. In addition to the SO₂ emissions, NB Power’s NPRI reporting also includes the following, should emissions meet the reporting threshold: Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM). Between 2015 and 2020, SO₂ and other emissions from the NB Power operation at the Point Lepreau NGS were consistently below the reporting thresholds, and thus, were not resported to the NPRI.

2.4.4 Other environmental compliance approvals

Under the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act ^{Footnote 15}, NB Power is required to submit wastewater compliance reports to the Government of New Brunswick in accordance with two approvals granted to NB Power to safely operate the sewage (domestic wastewater) treatment plant and the industrial wastewater treatment facility. Sampling requirements and reporting frequencies are specified in the approvals.

For the sewage treatment system, the parameters that need to be monitored and reported are the total volume of the effluent deposited, suspended solids and unionized ammonia. For the industrial wastewater treatment system, samples are collected and analyzed for pH, suspended solids, hydrazine, heavy metals (such as arsenic, copper, iron, lead, mercury) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs).

Between 2015 and 2020, the parameters measured in the domestic and industrial wastewater at the Point Lepreau NGS remained at levels that did not pose any unreasonable risk to the environment and to the health and safety of persons.

In addition, NB Power holds another approval from the Government of New Brunswick for the decommissioned landfill at the Point Lepreau NGS. In keeping with this approval, NB Power is required to monitor the groundwater, surface water and wetlands at the former landfill and submit a report to the province. Between 2015 and 2020, the results of monitoring activities have indicated that the impact on the environment from the decommissioned landfill remained negligible.

2.5 Fisheries Act authorization

In December 2013, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the CNSC signed an MOU outlining areas for cooperation and administration of the Fisheries Act ^{Footnote 41} , which aims at conserving and protecting fish and fish habitat across Canada.

The MOU focuses on sections 34 and 35 of the Fisheries Act, which state that no person shall carry on any work, undertaking or activity that could cause the death of fish and/or harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat, unless the Minister of DFO issues a Fisheries Act authorization (FAA). This authorization, if granted, includes terms and conditions to avoid, mitigate, offset (that is, counterbalance impacts) and monitor the impacts to fish and fish habitat resulting from a specific project.

Under the NSCA, the CNSC reviews licence applications to assess the potential environmental impacts of proposed nuclear projects and activities, including impacts to fish and fish habitat. Under the MOU, the CNSC ensures its reviews also take into consideration the intent and requirements of the Fisheries Act. The Minister of DFO remains accountable for decisions made under the habitat provisions of the Fisheries Act, for protecting aquatic species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) ^{Footnote 142} , and for issuing FAAs. However, DFO relies on CNSC staff to review draft applications for FAAs, make recommendations to DFO related to potential impacts of nuclear activities in those draft applications, and conduct compliance verification (when authorizations are issued).

There is currently no FAA in place for the Point Lepreau NGS, since NB Power’s initial application had to be resubmitted after it was found to be incomplete in August 2019. DFO accepted NB Power’s revised application in December 2019, although the decision to provide a FAA is currently pending until NB Power can fulfill Indigenous consultation requirements.

Additionally, NB Power has proposed an FAA offset project, which is a river restoration barrier removal project at the Milltown Generating Station, which will lead to habitat restoration and enhancement on the St. Croix River, the estuary, and the Bay of Fundy. NB Power’s FAA offset project is currently undergoing a provincial EA. If NB Power’s proposed offset project successfully completes the provincial EA process, and once Indigenous consultation requirements have been met, the application process for a FAA will proceed and NB Power could be issued the authorization for the Point Lepreau NGS facility.

3.0 Status of the environment

This section provides a summary of the status of the environment around the Point Lepreau NGS. It first includes a description of the radiological and hazardous releases to the environment (section 3.1), followed by a description of the environment surrounding the facility and an assessment of any potential effects to the different components of the environment, as a result of exposure to these contaminants (section 3.2).

It should be noted that CNSC staff regularly review the environmental components through annual reporting requirements and compliance verification activities, as detailed in other areas of this report. This information is reported to the Commission in the EP safety and control area of licensing CMDs and annual RORs. Annual compliance reports submitted by NB Power for the Point Lepreau NGS are made publicly available and can be viewed on NB Power’s website ^{Footnote 34}.

3.1 Releases to the environment

Radiological and hazardous substances that have the potential to cause an adverse effect to ecological or human receptors are identified as COPCs. Once COPCs are emitted from a facility or licensed site, they are considered a release to the environment and how they find their way to the different receptors considered by the ERA are called pathways. Figure 3.1 below illustrates a conceptual model of the environment around a generic nuclear generating station site to show the relationship between releases (airborne emissions or waterborne effluent) and human and ecological receptors or exposure pathways. The movement of the releases through the environment to the receptors are termed exposure pathways. This graphic is meant to provide an overall conceptual model of the releases, exposure pathways and receptors for the Point Lepreau NGS, and thus, should not be interpreted as a complete depiction of the site and its surrounding environment. The specific releases and COPCs associated with the Point Lepreau NGS are explained in detail in the following subsections.

Figure 3.1. Conceptual model of the environment around a generic nuclear generating station site

3.1.1 Airborne emissions

NB Power controls and monitors airborne emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS to the environment under its EMP. This program is based on CSA N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 28} and includes monitoring of both radiological and hazardous emissions.

The main sources of possible airborne releases at the Point Lepreau NGS include light fuel oil consumption, diesel fuel oil combustion, and the ventilation stack located on the nuclear reactor.

The emission sources have the potential to emit:

carbon monoxide (CO)
carbon dioxide (CO₂)
nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
particulate matter (PM)
radiological emissions, mainly tritium, carbon-14 (C-14), noble gases, iodine-131 (I-131) and particulates (gross beta/gamma)

Table 3.1 provides the annual hazardous releases to the atmosphere between 2015 and 2020, compared against the GHG and NPRI reporting thresholds (as explained in section 2.4). As shown in table 3.1, all hazardous releases from the Point Lepreau NGS have been below the reportable limits for NPRI and GHG emissions.

Table 3.1: Annual non-radiological air emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Parameter	Reporting threshold	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
CO (tonnes)	20^(a)	N/R^(c)	N/R^(c)	N/R^(c)	0.757	0.525	0.171
CO₂(tonnes)	10 000^(b)	3079	2515	1146	3734	2590	848
NO₂(tonnes)	20^(a)	8.32	6.80	3.10	10.09	7.00	2.29
SO₂ (tonnes)	20^(a)	0.03	0.07	0.02	0.02	0.01	0.003
VOCs (tonnes)	10^(a)	N/R^(c)	N/R^(c)	N/R^(c)	0.03	0.02	0.007
PM (tonnes)	20^(a)	0.36	0.35	0.16	0.53	0.37	0.12

(a) NPRI reporting threshold
(b) GHG reporting threshold
(c) N/R stands for “not reported”

Table 3.2 provides the annual radiological releases to the atmosphere between 2015 and 2020, compared against site-specific DRLs to ensure releases to the environment do not exceed the annual regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv per year, which is protective of human health. As depicted in table 3.2, all radiological emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS have remained at a very small fraction of the DRLs.

Table 3.2: Annual radiological air emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Parameter	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2020 DRL
Tritium (Bq/year)^(a)	2.8 × 10¹⁴	2.5 × 10¹⁴	1.4 × 10¹⁴	1.5 × 10¹⁴	1.5 × 10¹⁴	1.4 × 10¹³	2.4 × 10¹⁷
C-14 (Bq/year)^(a)	1.6 × 10¹¹	2.8 × 10¹¹	3.3 × 10¹¹	3.1 × 10¹¹	1.1 × 10¹¹	7.1 × 10¹⁰	1.2 × 10¹⁶
Noble gases (Bq/MeV)^(b)	8.1 × 10¹³	2.9 × 10¹³	2.5 × 10¹³	4.6 × 10¹³	9.5 × 10¹³	5.9 × 10¹²	8.4 ×10¹⁶to 4.3 ×10¹⁹
I-131 (Bq/year)^(a)	7.1 × 10⁶	2.7 × 10⁷	1.3 × 10⁶	<5.2 × 10⁵	5.2 × 10⁵	<5.0 × 10⁵	3.9 × 10¹³
Gross beta/gamma (Bq/year)^(a)	<8.4 × 10⁴	<1.1 × 10⁸	<2.2 × 10⁶	<2.2 × 10⁶	<2.2 × 10⁶	<8.1 × 10⁵	8.6 ×10¹³ to 2.6 ×10¹⁷

(a) Releases reported as total becquerels per year (Bq/year)
(b) Releases reported as becquerels per million electron volts (Bq/MeV)

3.1.1.1 Conclusion

Based on CNSC staff’s review of the results of the Point Lepreau NGS’s EMP, CNSC staff conclude that NB Power’s air emissions to the environment from the facility have remained below CNSC regulatory limits or federal/provincial reporting thresholds between 2015 and 2020. CNSC staff have found that NB Power continues to provide adequate protection of people and the environment from air emissions.

3.1.2 Waterborne effluent

NB Power controls and monitors liquid (waterborne) effluent from the Point Lepreau NGS to the environment under its implementation of the EMP. This program is based on CSA N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 28} and includes monitoring of radiological and hazardous releases.

The main sources of possible waterborne releases at the Point Lepreau NGS include the domestic wastewater treated at the sewage treatment plant and the discharge point of the condenser cooling water duct into the Bay of Fundy.

In terms of radiological releases, the effluent sources have the potential to emit tritium, C-14, gross alpha and gross beta to surface water.

Table 3.3 provides a summary of the data measured for certain non-radiological parameters in domestic wastewater at the Point Lepreau NGS between 2015 and 2020. The data is compared against reporting limits set out in CEPA 1999 ^{Footnote 36}. The parameters measured in domestic wastewater at the facility have remained at levels that do not pose any unreasonable risk to the environment and to the health and safety of persons.

Table 3.3: Annual non-radiological measurements in domestic wastewater (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}

Table 3.3: Annual non-radiological measurements in domestic wastewater (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Parameter	Limit	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Time effluent was deposited (number of days)	N/A^(c)	365	345	365	358	364	347
Total volume of effluent deposited (m³)^(a)	N/A^(c)	40 489	44 495	44 918	44 286	46 987	38 146
Average concentration of suspended solids (mg/L)^(b)	25 mg/L^(d)	1.3	1.2	1.6	1.1	1.1	1.4

(a) Parameter measured in cubic meters (m³).
(b) Parameter measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L).
(c) N/A stands for “not applicable”.
(d) Limit set out in CEPA 1999 ^{Footnote 36}.

Table 3.4 provides the annual radiological releases to surface water between 2015 and 2020. Annual radiological releases for each year are compared against site-specific DRLs for that year to ensure releases to the environment do not exceed the annual regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv per year, which is protective of human health. For clarity purposes, only site-specific DRLs for 2020 are provided to be compared against the radiological releases in 2020. The DRLs for 2015- 2019 can be found in NB Power’s annual compliance reports ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}. All radiological emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS between 2015- 2019 have remained below their respective DRLs.

Table 3.4: Annual radiological waterborne releases from the Point Lepreau NGS (2015 – 2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Parameter^(a)	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2020 DRL
Tritium (Bq/year)	4.6 × 10¹⁴	3.4 × 10¹⁴	2.4 × 10¹⁴	1.2 × 10¹⁴	1.8 × 10¹⁴	1.4 × 10¹⁴	4.5 × 10¹⁹
C-14 (Bq/year)	1.0 × 10⁹	7.6 × 10⁹	4.9 × 10⁹	1.8 × 10⁹	2.9 × 10⁹	1.0 × 10¹⁰	3.7 × 10¹⁴
Gross alpha (Bq/year)	7.1 × 10⁶	1.3 × 10⁷	1.7 × 10⁷	7.9 × 10⁶	7.9 × 10⁶	6.7 × 10⁶	Various DRLs^(b)
Gross beta (Bq/year)	3.8 × 10⁷	8.4 × 10⁷	9.7 × 10⁷	7.8 × 10⁷	7.8 × 10⁷	5.5 × 10⁷	Various DRLs^(b⁾

(a) Releases reported as total becquerels per year (Bq/year).
(b) Specific DRLs are calculated for a range of noble gases and particulate categories. None of these individuals DRLs were exceeded.

3.1.2.1 Conclusion

CNSC staff’s review of the results of the Point Lepreau NGS’s EMP demonstrate that NB Power’s effluent releases to the environment from the facility have remained below CNSC regulatory limits or other federal/provincial reporting thresholds between 2015 and 2020. CNSC staff have found that NB Power continues to provide adequate protection of people and the environment from effluent released to the Bay of Fundy.

3.2 Environmental effects assessment

This section presents an overview of the assessment of predicted effects from licensed activities on the environment and the health of persons. CNSC staff reviewed NB Power’s assessment of current and predicted effects on the environment and health of persons due to licensed activities included in the ERA (see subsection 2.3.3). The ERA was performed in a stepwise manner as follows:

quantify the releases (COPCs) to the environment from current (section 3.1) and future activities
identify the environmental interactions of the current and expected releases of COPCs, and COPC exposure pathways in the environment
identify predicted COPC exposure for ecological and human receptors
identify potential effects to receptors
determine whether the environment and health of persons is and will continue to be protected

To inform this section of the report, CNSC staff reviewed NB Power’s 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9} and the annual reports submitted between 2015 and 2020, inclusively ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}.

While CNSC staff conducted a review for all environmental components, only a selection of components is presented in detail in the following subsections. The environmental components were selected based on licensing requirements, as well as those that have historically been of interest to the Commission, Indigenous Nations and communities and the public.

3.2.1 Atmospheric environment

An assessment of the atmospheric environment requires NB Power to characterize both the meteorological conditions and the ambient air quality at the Point Lepreau NGS site. Emissions to the atmospheric environment from the facility are routinely monitored and reported annually.

3.2.1.1 Meteorological conditions

Meteorological conditions, such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation, are monitored in order to assess the extent of the atmospheric dispersion of contaminants emitted to the atmosphere, the rates of contaminant deposition, and to determine predominant wind directions, which are used to identify critical receptor locations from the air pathway. Meteorological data for the most recent 30-year period (from 1980 to 2010) was gathered from 2 climate stations (Coleson Cove and Pennfield) located about 20 kilometres from the Point Lepreau NGS site. Hourly wind data for the most recent 5-year period (from 2014 to 2018) was available at the Point Lepreau climate station, located less than 1 kilometre from the site.

The Point Lepreau NGS is located in the southern part of the Province of New Brunswick, which is classified as having a humid continental climate. The climate of this region is characterized by cold, snowy winters and pleasantly warm summers, although the southern half of the province experiences a more moderate maritime climate with milder winters and cooler summers. Mean monthly temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius in July to -6 degrees Celsius in January. The prevailing winds typically blow from the northwest during winter months and from the southwest during summer months. The region is subject to severe storms in the winter and hurricanes between June and November. Point Lepreau is a rural area, predominantly upwind of Saint John, where the air quality is generally very good.

3.2.1.2 Ambient air quality

In the 2020 ERA, NB Power assessed the potential impacts to ambient air quality at the Point Lepreau NGS site by using air dispersion modelling based on emissions data from the facility ^{Footnote 9}. Radiological contaminants in air at the site (including water vapour, carbon-14 and strontium-90) were assessed and found to be below applicable screening criteria. Non-radiological contaminants in air at the Point Lepreau NGS were not evaluated because they are released at levels that do not exceed federal or provincial thresholds, and therefore, risks to human, terrestrial and aquatic receptors from exposure to non-radiological contaminants via the air pathway are not expected. Overall, the ERA shows that the predicted influence on ambient air quality from the Point Lepreau NGS is negligible.

As explained in subsection 3.1.1, NB Power conducts ambient air quality monitoring to confirm that airborne emissions from the Point Lepreau NGS site are within the ERA predictions and remain at levels that are protective of human health and the environment. Routine atmospheric monitoring data, which is reported annually in NB Power’s annual compliance reports, includes airborne particulates, iodines, water vapour, CO₂, SO₂ and VOCs, among others.

In addition, ambient gamma radiation is measured using dosimeters at 76 locations at and around the Point Lepreau NGS, including at a reference location about 50 kilometers from the site that is not impacted by the facility releases, and thus, is used as a proxy for background conditions. Measurements are taken at several locations and averaged. Ambient gamma measurements are collected quarterly and reported in NB Power’s annual compliance reports.

Figure 3.2 compares the reference location results with the results of other locations (that is, onsite, offsite, SRWMF and boundary) for gamma radiation in 2020. The average measurement at the SRWMF was higher (993 micrograys (μGy)) than the average measurements for other onsite locations (703 μGy) and boundary locations (675 μGy). The measurements at the SRWMF locations were expected to be higher than other onsite locations due to the low-level radioactive waste stores within the SRWMF. The measurements at other onsite locations (703 μGy) were not significantly different from those at offsite locations (670 μGy) and that at the reference location (688 μGy), indicating that the impact of gamma radiation from the Point Lepreau NGS on ambient air quality is negligible. Similar results were found for past years.

Figure 3.2: Ambient gamma measurements from the Point Lepreau NGS in 2020 ^{Footnote 2}

3.2.1.3 Conclusion

Based on CNSC staff’s review of the most recent ERA results and atmospheric monitoring data for the Point Lepreau NGS, CNSC staff conclude that airborne emissions from the facility remain significantly below the applicable screening criteria, and therefore, ambient air quality remains at levels protective of human health and the environment.

3.2.2 Groundwater

An assessment of groundwater at the Point Lepreau NGS site consists of identifying potential onsite sources of groundwater contamination, determining the extent of contamination, if any, which could lead to an exposure pathway to human and/or non-human receptors, and determining the significance of any exposure from this pathway. Additionally, this assessment confirms whether control measures in place continue to remain effective in protecting the environment.

3.2.2.1 Groundwater quantity and quality

Two independent groundwater regimes exist at the Point Lepreau NGS site. The upper groundwater system is perched in surficial sands and gravels on top of a layer of red clay. Prior to the construction of the Point Lepreau NGS site, groundwater in the upper system flowed in a southwesterly direction towards Indian Cove, whereas groundwater in the bedrock flowed from higher ground to the north towards the Bay of Fundy, and potentially Duck Cove. The construction of the nuclear generating station altered hydrogeological conditions in the immediate area of the station. The deep building excavations and associated subdrainage systems have resulted in groundwater levels permanently lowered at the site. Consequently, the station’s dewatering system now acts as a hydraulic sink, which means that groundwater within the stations’ radius of influence now discharges into the subdrainage systems (i.e., inwards) rather than towards the coastline, as was the case prior to construction.

Groundwater protection is an element of the overall EP measures at the Point Lepreau NGS site and has been an integral part of the EMP. In 2020, as part of NB Power’s implementation of CSA Standard N288.7-15, Groundwater Protection Programs at Class 1 Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills ^{Footnote 30}, NB Power established a comprehensive site-wide groundwater protection program ^{Footnote 43} , including a separate groundwater monitoring program ^{Footnote 44} . The purpose of the groundwater protection program is to minimize or prevent releases and effects to groundwater, as well as to confirm that adequate measures are in place to control and/or monitor these releases. The groundwater monitoring program serves to provide an indication of unusual or unforeseen groundwater conditions that may require corrective action or additional monitoring. NB Power collects the following data from various onsite monitoring wells:

groundwater levels in select monitoring wells (to confirm groundwater flow conditions)
tritium in groundwater downgradient of the nuclear generating station and the SRWMF
tritium at the site boundaries, including along the shoreline (to verify that groundwater has been protected while onsite)
tritium and metals at the inactive landfill
tritium and gamma emitters downgradient of the firing range

Given that tritum has been identified as a primary contaminant at the Point Lepreau NGS, it has been monitored for decades at both onsite and offsite wells. As depicted in table 3.5, tritium concentrations sampled between 2015 and 2020 have remained well below the tritium threshold of 7,000 becquerels per litre (Bq/L) in Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) ^{Footnote 45} , indicating that the impact of tritium from the Point Lepreau NGS on groundwater quality is negligible.

Table 3.5: Annual tritium sampling near the Point Lepreau NGS (2015-2020) ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Sampling location	Tritium concentrations^(a) (Bq/L)^(b)	Tritium threshold (Bq/L) ^{Footnote 45}
Nuclear generating station	440	7,000
SRWMF	600
Inactive landfill	90
Nearby offsite wells	50

(a) Maximum annual tritium concentrations sampled between 2015-2020
(b) Concentrations reported as becquerels per litre (Bq/L)

At the inactive landfill, all concentrations of PHCs and VOCs (that is, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) have been undetected in groundwater since 2009 ^{Footnote 7}. Between 2015 and 2020 ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}, aluminum and lead concentrations were below the CCME guidelines for the protection of aquatic life, which are dependant on the pH and hardness of the water body in question ^{Footnote 46} .

At the fire-fighting training grounds, all concentrations of PHCs and VOCs (that is, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) were undetected in groundwater ^{Footnote 7}. Gamma emitters have typically been undetected as well, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been well below ECCC’s Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for groundwater contact by soil-dependent organisms ^{Footnote 47} and the CCME guidelines for the protection of aquatic life ^{Footnote 46} .

3.2.2.2 Conclusion

Based on CNSC staff’s review of the groundwater conditions and monitoring results at the Point Lepreau NGS, CNSC staff have found that there are no adverse impacts to the groundwater quality and quantity from the site and that NB Power continues to protect the environment and human health.

3.2.3 Aquatic environment

An assessment of potential effects on aquatic biota at the Point Lepreau NGS and the surrounding area consists of characterizing the local habitat (including surface water and sediment quality) and local species (with consideration of federal species at risk), and assessing the possibility of their exposure to radiological and hazardous substances, as well as physical stressors that may be disruptive to ecological receptors.

3.2.3.1 Surface water quality

NB Power assesses surface water quality in the local freshwater ecosystem, which includes onsite ponds, small streams and wetlands, as well as in the nearby marine ecosystem, which consists of the Bay of Fundy surrounding the site on the east, south and west sides.

In the 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9}, NB Power evaluated the concentrations of radionuclides (such as tritium, carbon-14, strontium-90) and hazardous substances (such as metals and hydrazine) in freshwater and saltwater at and around the Point Lepreau NGS site to assess their potential impact on ecological and human receptors. Overall, NB Power’s ERA shows that concentrations of radiological and hazardous contaminants in surface water surrounding the Point Lepreau NGS are not expected to pose a risk to ecological and human receptors in the vicinity of the site.

As explained in section 3.1.2, as part of the site’s EMP, NB Power collects surface water monitoring data, which is reported annually in NB Power’s annual compliance reports and assessed by CNSC staff. Parameters monitored in surface water include radionulides (although tritium is the only radionuclide originating from the Point Lepreau NGS that is consistently detected) and hazardous substances, such as heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and hydrazine. Surface water samples from NB Power’s annual compliance reports confirm that waterborne effluent from the Point Lepreau NGS site is within the ERA predictions and remains at levels that are protective of the environment.

3.2.3.2 Sediment quality

In the 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9}, NB Power evaluated the concentrations of radionuclides and hazardous substances (such as PHC, metals, hydrazine) in freshwater and marine sediments at and around the Point Lepreau NGS site to assess their potential impact on ecological and human receptors. Overall, the ERA shows that concentrations of radiological and hazardous contaminants in sediments surrounding the site are not expected to pose a risk to ecological and human receptors in the vicinity of the site.

In addition, as part of the site’s EMP, NB Power monitors sediment quality in the marine environment surrounding the Point Lepreau NGS for radiological contaminants. For this purpose, NB Power collects sediment samples quarterly from 10 offsite intertidal areas to assess radionuclide concentrations. This data is reported annually in NB Power’s annual compliance reports and assessed by CNSC staff. In 2020, only the following three radionuclides were detected: actinium-228, beryllium-7 and potassium-40 ^{Footnote 2}. However, none of them are attributable to the operation of the Point Lepreau NGS as they occur in nature, indicating that the impact of radionuclides from the Point Lepreau NGS on sediment quality is negligible.

3.2.3.3 Aquatic habitat and species

The Point Lepreau NGS site is located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, which exhibits the most extreme tides in the world, resulting in considerable mixing and dilution in the surrounding marine environment. Tidal mixing results in little thermal stratification, and a flushing time in the Bay of about 76 days. At Dipper Harbour, east of the nuclear site, the typical tidal range is from 6 to 8.5 metres. West of the Point Lepreau NGS site, the bottom substrate is predominantly muddy sand, whereas east of the site, the bottom substrate is sand-gravel rock. A rocky shoreline extends for 3 kilometres on either side of the Point Lepreau NGS site.

Onsite surface water drainage features include three brooks, three wetlands and an onsite reservoir. The 3 small streams drain the catchment area within the Point Lepreau NGS site. The Hanson Stream Reservoir, located near the base of the peninsula, supplies freshwater for use at the facility. There are also some small burrow-pit ponds located to the west of the site.

The Point Lepreau NGS site is home to freshwater and marine biota from all levels of the food chain. Aquatic biota are expected to be present in the freshwater ecosystem on and around the site, as well as in the marine ecosystem adjacent to the site, in the Bay of Fundy, particularly in Duck Cove and Indian Cove.

The freshwater ecosystem includes aquatic plants, benthic invertebrates, benthic fish, pelagic fish, great blue heron, green frog, muskrat and beaver. Marine mammals, such as whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals, frequent the Bay of Fundy. Ducks and geese also use the Bay of Fundy as a staging area during the spring migration, and to a lesser extent in the fall. The section of shoreline surrounding the site is not, however, a major waterfowl area. Approximately 70 species of fish have been recorded in the Bay of Fundy, and most of these species can be expected to frequent the Point Lepreau area. Herring, pollock and cod are the most commercially important finfish species in the region, whereas lobster, sea urchin, clams and scallops are the most commercially important invertebrate species in the area. Commercially important flora includes rockweed and dulse (an edible seaweed). The aquaculture salmon industry is important to the area west of Point Lepreau NGS.

Aquatic Species at Risk

In New Brunswick, the federal SARA ^{Footnote 42} is the legislation that applies to species at risk. Table 3.5 lists the aquatic species at risk that were identified as potentially present at or around the Point Lepreau NGS site, and that were assessed in the most recent ERA.

Table 3.5: Status of aquatic species at risk present around the Point Lepreau NGS
Species (common name)	SARA Schedule 1 status ^{Footnote 42}
Mammals
North Atlantic Right Whale	Endangered
Blue Whale	Endangered
Fin Whale	Special concern
Harbour Porpoise	Threatened
Fish
Atlantic Salmon	Endangered
Shortnose Sturgeon	Special concern
Atlantic Wolfish	Special concern
Birds
Harlequin Duck	Special concern
Barrow’s Goldeneye	Special concern
Piping Plover	Endangered

ERA Predictions

The most recent assessment of potential effects on aquatic biota near the Point Lepreau NGS was provided by NB Power in the 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9}. As discussed in subsection 2.3.3, NB Power’s ERA fully complied with the requirements of CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessments at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 29}, and incorporated recent environmental monitoring data.

NB Power selected a total of 21 aquatic receptors for the assessment based on knowledge of the Point Lepreau NGS site and its surrounding environment, and relevant field observations. The chosen aquatic receptors include fish species, aquatic bird species, mammal species (that is, semi-aquatic and aquatic), freshwater and marine aquatic plants and invertebrates, as well as amphibians. The 10 species at risk identified as potentially occurring in the area (see table 3.5 above) are also included as aquatic receptors. The chosen aquatic receptors reflect a diversity of diets or feeding habits, cover a variety of trophic levels^{Footnote 3}, and are representative of the potential species present in the area.

Exposure to Radiological Substances

The potential radiological effects to aquatic receptors were assessed by comparing the estimated radiation dose received by each receptor from radiological COPCs through all applicable pathways (that is, external and/or internal exposure to radionuclides in air, soil, water, sediment, plants and animals) to the recommended benchmark values (dose limits to non-human biota).

The overall radiation dose, which included all internal and external doses form all exposure pathways, was significantly below the radiological dose benchmarks recommended in CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessment at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 29}, i.e., 400 µGy per hour for aquatic receptors. This result indicates no potential for adverse effects and no need for further (detailed) assessment.

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

The potential hazardous effects to aquatic receptors were assessed by comparing the estimated exposure concentration received by each receptor from hazardous COPCs through all applicable pathways (that is, external and/or internal exposure to hazardous contaminants in air, soil, water, sediment,plants and animals) to the recommended benchmark values (toxicity reference values for non-human biota).

Based on modelling, there is a potential for low to negligible risks predicted for some aquatic species from exposure to one or more metals, including aluminium, arsenic, copper, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, strontium, selenium, vanadium and zinc, present in the environmental media onsite, as well as in the inactive landfill area. These results are driven by soil and water concentrations that are elevated, but within the typical North American range, and thus, may be attributable to background levels rather than associated with the Point Lepreau NGS operations. Nevertheless, NB Power included recommendations in the ERA to better characterize the onsite and background contamination levels. These recommendations include:

Desktop studies of metal levels in surface water at reference locations to establish background levels.
Toxicity testing of surface water samples to address the potential for multi-stressor effects to biota from non-radiological contamination.
Collection and analysis of water and sediment data from the draininage ditch to better understand the levels of contaminants in the ditch during normal operations conditions and provide characterization data to determine if the ditch should be considered potential habitat for aquatic species.
One-time confirmatory non-radiological sampling in Indian Cove to confirm that water quality is within recommended levels.
One-time sampling for radionuclides and PHCs in surface water and sediment at an onsite brook to confirm that contaminant levels do not exceed guidelines.
Consideration of exposure to amphibians from contaminants in soil and sediment.

CNSC staff reviewed and approved these recommendations, and will ensure they are completed and results are presented in the next iteration of the ERA for the Point Lepreau NGS.

Exposure to Physical Stressors

The 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9} investigated the potential exposure of aquatic receptors to the following physical stressors associated with the Point Lepreau NGS operations:

thermal effects
impingement and entrainment
noise

The Point Lepreau NGS discharges cooling water to the Bay of Fundy at a slightly higher temperature than that of ambient seawater. Therefore, NB Power assessed the potential effects of this thermal discharge on aquatic receptors in the Bay of Fundy. Results show that aquatic receptors generally tolerate water temperatures observed at the Point Lepreau NGS.

Impingement and entrainment losses at water intakes can have an impact on fish communities. Fish coming into contact with a water intake screen or trash rack is an example of impingement. Entrainment happens when fish (including eggs) are physically drawn into a water intake and subjected to physical stressors such as mechanical equipment, heat or chemicals. Entrainment may result in direct or indirect mortality. Fish loss due to impingement and entrainment at the cooling water intake at the Point Lepreau NGS has been studied since the construction of the site in the late 1970s, and continues to be assessed for compliance with the Fisheries Act ^{Footnote 41} (see section 2.5). For the 2021 ERA, NB Power considered recent impingement and entrainment studies conducted at the Point Lepreau NGS to estimate the potential impact on fish populations and the localized effect on fish in the vicinity of the site. Results show that, overall, the estimated losses to fisheries in the Bay of Fundy due to impingement and entrainment are insignificant at the population level.

In addition, consistent with CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessment at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 28}, noise was considered as a physical stressor in NB Power’s ERA. However, no noise complaints were recorded, and therefore, acoustic effects are unlikely to represent a concern for aquatic receptors present at or near the Point Lepreau NGS site.

Marine Environment Monitoring

In addition to monitoring for surface water quality and sediment quality as part of the site’s EMP, NB Power also collects and analyzes radionuclide concentrations in clams, fish, lobster, periwinkles (a type of marine snail), aquaculture salmon, dulse (an edible seaweed) and other sea plants from the intertidal zone adjacent to the Point Lepreau NGS site. This data, which is reported annually through NB Power’s annual compliance reports and assessed by CNSC staff, provides a comprehensive understanding of the marine environment surrounding the facility. Radionuclide concentrations in aamples of marine plants and animals ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7} confirm that radionuclide concentrations are below benchmark values, and therefore, aquatic receptors in the marine environment near the Point Lepreau NGS are protected.

3.2.3.4 Conclusion

Based on CNSC staff’s review of the most recent ERA results and aquatic monitoring data for the Point Lepreau NGS, CNSC staff have found that the aquatic environment remains protected from radiological and hazardous releases from the station, as well as from physical stressors.

3.2.4 Terrestrial environment

An assessment of potential effects on terrestrial biota at the Point Lepreau NGS and the surrounding area consists of characterizing the local habitat (including geological conditions and soil quality) and local species (with consideration of federal species at risk), and assessing the possibility of their exposure to radiological and hazardous substances.

3.2.4.1 Geological conditions

The Point Lepreau NGS site is located on the Lepreau peninsula, which comprises a bedded sequence of red sandstones and conglomerates of Triassic age, and is bounded by older rocks approximately 4 kilometres northeast of the site. The rocks become increasingly fine grained to the west (that is, the younger rocks of the succession) where sandstones, siltstones and shales are present. On the eastern side, sandstones and conglomerates predominate.

Peat or topsoil are underlain by granular sand and gravel deposits that vary in depth from 1 metre (or less) to approximately 5 metres over much of the site. Between the granular soil and bedrock generally lies a layer of red clay.

3.2.4.2 Soil quality

In the 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9}, NB Power evaluated the concentrations of radionuclides (such as carbon-14, strontium-90, cesium-137) and hazardous substances (such as aluminium, arsenic, cooper, iron, selenium) in soil at and/or around the Point Lepreau NGS site to assess their potential impact on ecological and human receptors. Overall, the ERA shows that concentrations of radiological and hazardous contaminants in soil surrounding the Point Lepreau NGS are below benchmark values, and therefore, are not expected to pose a risk to ecological and human receptors in the vicinity of the site.

In addition, as part of the site’s EMP, NB Power monitors soil quality surrounding the Point Lepreau NGS for radiological contaminants. For this purpose, NB Power collects soil samples quarterly in undisturbed locations away from nearby buildings or trees to assess radionuclide concentrations. This data is reported annually in NB Power’s annual compliance reports and assessed by CNSC staff. In 2020, only the following three radionuclides were detected: actinium-228, cesium-137 and potassium-40 ^{Footnote 2}. However, none of them are attributable to the operation of the Point Lepreau NGS as they either occur in nature (for actinium-228 and potassium-40) or originate from fallout associated with past atmospheric weapon tests or internaitonal events (for cesium-137), indicating that the impact of radionuclides from the facility on soil quality is negligible. Similar results were found for past years.

3.2.4.3 Terrestrial habitat and species

The Point Lepreau NGS is located on the Lepreau Peninsula, within the Fundy Bay Ecoregion, in a district referred to as the Musquash Lowlands. This terrestrial community is dominated by conifers, including red, black and white spruce, balsam fir, larch and cedar. Most deciduous trees are red maple, white and yellow birch, mountain ash and alder. The area is also characterized by many small bogs. There is some mixed-wood treed swamp habitat at the northern end of the site. The Point Lepreau NGS site and surrounding environment is made up of predominantly eight habitat types including balsam fir-intolerant hardwood spruce forest, mature softwood forest, young balsam fir dominated forest, mature cedar forest, disturbed areas, transmission right-of-way, treed bog, and mixed-wood treed swamp areas.

Over thirty species of birds have been recorded within the surrounding environment, mainly in mature softwood forests, disturbed areas and mixed-wood treed swamps near the SRWMF, with the most abundant species including warblers, chickadees and thrushes. Terrestrial mammals are also present at or around the site, including small rodents, fox, deer and moose.

Terrestrial Species at Risk

In New Brunswick, the federal SARA ^{Footnote 42} is the legislation that applies to species at risk. In the early 2000s, in the context of the EA for the proposed modifications to the SRWMF, studies were conducted to identify species at risk potentially present at or in the vicinity of the SRWMF, where the vegetation is largely undisturbed ^{Footnote 16}. No federally listed mammals, reptiles, amphibians or plants were observed within the SRWMF area, only birds. Table 3.6 lists the terrestrial bird species at risk that were identified as part of these studies.

Table 3.6: Status of terrestrial species at risk potentially present around the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 16}
Species (common name)	SARA Schedule 1 status ^{Footnote 42}
Birds
Bank Swallow	Threatened
Barn Swallow	Threatened
Common Nighthawk	Threatened
Eastern Wood-pewee	Special concern

ERA Predictions

The most recent assessment of potential effects on terrestrial biota near the Point Lepreau NGS was provided by NB Power in the ERA ^{Footnote 9}. As discussed in subsection 2.3.3, the ERA fully complied with the requirements of CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessments at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 29}, and incorporated recent environmental monitoring data.

NB Power selected a total of 9 terrestrial receptors for the assessment based on knowledge of the Point Lepreau NGS site, its surrounding environment, and relevant field observations. The chosen terrestrial receptors include terrestrial vegetation, earthworms, birds (the cedar waxwing and broad-winged hawk), the short-tailed shrew, red fox, white-tailed deer, moose and black bear. The chosen terrestrial receptors reflect a diversity of diets or feeding habits, cover a variety of trophic levels, and are representative of the potential species present in the area.

Exposure to Radiological Substances

The potential radiological effects to terrestrial receptors were assessed by comparing the estimated radiation dose received by each receptor from radiological COPCs through all applicable pathways (that is, external and/or internal exposure to radionuclides in air, soil, water, sediment, plants and animals) to the recommended benchmark values (dose limits to non-human biota).

The overall radiation dose, which included all internal and external doses form all exposure pathways, was significantly below the radiological dose benchmarks recommended in CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessments at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 29}, i.e., 100 µGy per hour for terrestrial receptors. This result indicates no potential for adverse effects and no need for further (detailed) assessment.

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

The potential hazardous effects to terrestrial receptors were assessed by comparing the estimated exposure concentration received by each receptor from hazardous COPCs through all applicable pathways (that is, external and/or internal exposure to hazardous contaminants soil, water, sediment, plants and animals) to the recommended benchmark values (toxicity reference values for non-human biota).

For terrestrial mammals and birds, exceedances were observed for aluminum and manganese, but no exceedances were observed for birds and mammals with large home ranges. For terrestrial vegetation and invertebrates, exceedances were observed for aluminum, iron, lead, manganese and vanadium. These exceedances are thought to be caused by elevated natural background concentrations in soil and sediment, and thus, not directly associated with the Point Lepreau NGS operations. Nevertheless, NB Power included recommentations to better characterize soil concentrations by conducting additional non-radiological soil sampling across the site and at background locations, and to consider exposure to amphibians from contaminants in soil and sediment. CNSC staff reviewed and approved these recommendations, and will ensure they are completed and results are presented in the next iteration of the ERA for the Point Lepreau NGS.

Exposure to Physical Stressors

The 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9} investigated the potential exposure of terrestrial receptors to the following physical stressors associated with the Point Lepreau NGS operations:

wildlife collisions with vehicles
wildlife collisions with infrastructure
noise

Wildlife-vehicle collisions can represent a significant source of mortality for terrestrial species if roads or highways are adjacent to wildlife habitat. At the Point Lepreau NGS, the road network is relatively small and all roads are in disturbed areas with little natural habitat. In addition, the majority of onsite roads have a low speed limit (between 30 and 50 kilometres per hour). Given these reasons, no wildlife-vehicle collisions have been recorded at the site, and therefore, this physical stressor is considered negligible.

Wildlife collisions with infrastructure can also be an important cause of mortality for terrestrial species, especially for birds who are particularly susceptible to window collisions. At the Point Lepreau NGS, buildings with windows are no higher than 3 floors, which reduces the risk of frequent bird strikes. No wildlife collisions with onsite structures (including buildings, stacks, windows, etc.) have been observed onsite, and therefore, this physical stressor is considered negligible.

If ever wildlife collisions with vehicles or infrastructure become a concern through future observation at the Point Lepreau NGS, NB Power will conduct impact studies and monitoring.

Consistent with CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessment at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 28}, noise was also considered as a physical stressor in NB Power’s ERA. However, no noise complaints were recorded, and therefore, acoustic effects are unlikely to represent a concern for terrestrial receptors present at or near the site.

Terrestrial Environment Monitoring

As part of the site’s EMP, in addition to monitoring for soil quality (as explained earlier in this section), NB Power also collects and analyzes radionuclide concentrations in berries, garden produce, vegetation and occasionnally deer from locations at or around the Point Lepreau NGS site. This data, which is reported annually through NB Power’s annual compliance reports and assessed by CNSC staff, provides a comprehensive understanding of the terrestrial environment surrounding th facility. Radionuclide concentrations in samples of berries, garden produce, vegetation and deer confirm that radionuclide concentrations are below benckmark values, and therefore, ecological receptors in the terrestrial environment near the facility are protected.

3.2.4.4 Conclusion

Based on CNSC staff’s review of the most recent ERA results and terrestrial monitoring data for the Point Lepreau NGS, CNSC staff have found that the terrestrial environment remains protected from radiological and hazardous releases from the facility, as well as from physical stressors such as noise and wildlife interactions with traffic and structures.

3.2.5 Human environment

An assessment of the human environment at the Point Lepreau NGS site consists of identifying representative persons located within or in proximity to the site, and determining whether radiological or hazardous COPCs could impact their health by breathing the air, being on the land, drinking and swimming in surface water, and eating plants, fish and wildlife from the Point Lepreau NGS area. In general, human receptors may be exposed to contaminants through four primary routes: dermal (skin), inhalation, incidental ingestion (soil) and ingestion of food and water. Representative persons are those individuals who, because of their location and habits, are likely to receive the highest exposures to radiological or hazardous substances from a particular source.

NB Power’s 2021 ERA ^{Footnote 9} included a human health risk assessment (HHRA) to assess the risk to humans from both radioactive and hazardous substances released from activities at the Point Lepreau NGS. The representative persons who were determined to be the most exposed individuals for potential radiological and hazardous contaminant exposure include a local resident (adult, child, infant) and a diver (adult). The local resident is assumed to drink and bathe in water from a well, and consume local game meat and fish, crops and wild berries as a portion of their diet. The diver is assumed to live far from the Point Lepreau NGS, but comes to the site for work, and dives in the ocean for sea urchins, harvests clams and sediment, and consumes local fish.

3.2.5.1 Exposure to radiological substances

The CNSC’s Radiation Protection Regulations ^{Footnote 32} prescribe radiation dose limits to protect workers and the public from exposure to radiation from licensed activities. At the Point Lepreau NGS, doses are calculated based on the site-specific DRLs, in accordance with CSA standard N288.1-14, Guidelines for Calculating Derived Release Limits for Radioactive Material in Airborne and Liquid Effluents for Normal Operation of Nuclear Facilities ^{Footnote 25}. Table 3.7 shows the estimated annual public doses for the Point Lepreau NGS between 2015 and 2020. During this licensing period, all estimated doses have remained well below the public dose limit of 1 mSv per year, which is protective of human health.

Table 3.7: Estimated annual public doses for the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 3}^{Footnote 4}^{Footnote 5}^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}
Year	Estimated annual public dose (mSv/year)
Public dose limit: 1 mSv/year
2015	0.0006
2016	0.0009
2017	0.0007
2018	0.0007
2019	0.0012
2020	0.0013

Potential impacts to human health from radiological substances released from a nuclear facility are assessed through a licensee’s radiological HHRA. NB Power’s 2020 HHRA ^{Footnote 9} considered the following pathways: exposure to radiological contaminants in food, air, soil, drinking water and groundwater for the local residents, and exposure to radiological contaminants in food, sediment, water and air for the diver. The evaluation, which was based on maximum measured concentrations and other conservative assumptions, resulted in the following total dose estimates for the selected representative persons:

0.001 mSv per year for the diver
0.002 mSv per year for the infant resident
0.003 mSv per year for the child resident
0.004 mSv per year for the adult resident

All total dose estimates were well below the public dose limit of 1 mSv per year. The dose estimates resulting from current conditions at the Point Lepreau NGS represent a small fraction of the background radiation for members of the public and do not pose a health risk.

3.2.5.2 Exposure to hazardous substances

Due to limited monitoring data, some pathways could not be assessed in NB Power’s non-radiological HHRA ^{Footnote 9}, such as those for air, well water, soil and freshwater. However, based on the current scientific understanding, these pathways do not warrant evaluation in the non-radiological HHRA because they do not represent plausible human health exposure pathways and non-radiological releases are not expected to reach offsite resident receptors. Nevertheless, since data was available for the marine environment, the pathways from marine surface water and sediment to the human receptors (that is, ingestion of local marine fish, crustaceans and dulse (seaweed) for all receptors, and dermal contact with seawater and sediment for the diver) were assessed by considering barium and hydrazine concentrations in the Bay of Fundy. The assessement showed that none of the toxicological benchmarks were exceeded, and therefore, based on the available data and assumptions made, no unreasonable risk to human receptors is expected from exposure to non-radiological releases at the Point Lepreau NGS.

In addition, consistent with CSA standard N288.6-12, Environmental risk assessment at Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills ^{Footnote 28}, noise was considered as a physical stressor in the HHRA for the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 1}. However, no noise complaints were recorded, and therefore, the HHRA concluded that noise is not a concern for members of the public residing or working near the Point Lepreau NGS site.

3.2.5.3 Conclusion

Between 2015 and 2020, the estimated radiological doses to a member of the public around the Point Lepreau NGS have remained well below the annual public dose limit of 1 mSv per year, indicating that radiological releases from the site pose a negligible risk to human health.

With respect to hazardous substances, CNSC staff’s review of the HHRA indicated that hazardous releases from the Point Lepreau NGS pose a negligible risk to human health. Therefore, the potential risk to humans from releases of radiological and hazardous substances is similar to health outcomes in the general public.

Based on assessments conducted at the Point Lepreau NGS, including the review of the 2020 ERA, annual compliance reports, and environmental monitoring data, CNSC staff have found that impacts to the human environment from radiological and hazardous substances released from the facility are negligible, and that people living or working near the site remain protected.

3.2.6 Additive cumulative effects

CNSC staff considered the additive cumulative effects of site-specific factors in a risk informed manner within the context of its overall assessment of environmental protection. Additive cumulative effects are one type of cumulative effect that the federal guidance document titled Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 ^{Footnote 48} defines “as the sum of individual effects of two or more physical activities”. CNSC staff continually assess additive cumulative effects through the cyclical nature of ERAs, the monitoring data in annual reports, data from regional monitoring programs, the IEMP, and through health studies. For the Point Lepreau NGS, based on the data assessed thus far and presented in this EPR Report, CNSC staff have found that no additive cumulative effects are occurring in the surrounding environment.

4.0 CNSC independent environmental monitoring program

The CNSC has implemented its IEMP as an additional verification that Indigenous Nations and communities, 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 public areas around the facilities, and measuring and analyzing the amount of radiological and hazardous contaminant substances in those samples. CNSC staff collect the samples and send them to the CNSC’s laboratory for testing and analysis.

4.1 IEMP at the Point Lepreau NGS

CNSC staff conducted IEMP sampling around the Point Lepreau NGS in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, some of the planned sampling from 2020 had to be completed in 2021, including air samples, which will be collected in September 2021. This campaign will therefore be referred to as “2020/2021”.

CNSC staff developed the 2020/2021 site-specific sampling plan ^{Footnote 49} with input from Indigenous Nations and communities to ensure meaningful results were obtained. The sampling plan focused on radiological and hazardous contaminants and took into consideration NB Power’s REMP and the CNSC’s regulatory knowledge of the site.

For the most recent campaign, CNSC staff collected the following samples in publicly accessible areas outside the perimeter of the Point Lepreau NGS:

water (4 locations)
soil (5 locations) and sand (3 locations)
medicinal and traditional plants (6 locations)
fish (4 locations)
food (1 location)

Samples were analyzed by qualified laboratory specialists in the CNSC’s laboratory in Ottawa, using appropriate protocols. CNSC staff measured radionuclides, such as gross gamma, gross beta and alpha, tritium and organically bound tritium, in the samples.

Figure 4.1 provides an overview of the sampling locations for the 2020/2021 IEMP sampling campaign around the Point Lepreau NGS. Once available, the IEMP results will be posted on the CNSC’s IEMP webpage ^{Footnote 50} .

Figure 4.1: Overview of the 2020/2021 sampling locations ^{Footnote 49}

4.2 Indigenous participation in the IEMP

It is a priority for the CNSC that IEMP sampling reflects Indigenous traditional land use, values and knowledge, where possible. In addition to routine IEMP sampling activities, the CNSC engaged with three local Indigenous Nations and communities for the most recent campaign: the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB), the Peskotomuhkati Nation and the Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc community (MTI).

In advance of the IEMP sampling campaigns at the Point Lepreau NGS, notification emails were sent to all Indigenous Nations and communities near the facility, inviting suggestions for species of interest, VCs, or potential sampling locations where traditional practices and activities may take place.

In 2020 and 2021, the CNSC met with the WNNB, MTI, and the Peskotomuhkati Nation to discuss the upcoming IEMP sampling and provide opportunities for each group to contribute and participate. These meetings provided CNSC staff with the opportunity to collaborate with Indigenous Nations and communities, to learn about their individual histories and cultures, and to address questions related to the operations at NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS. WNNB and MTI chose to participate in both the planning and field sampling, while the Peskotomuhkati Nation decided not to join in the remaining phases of the project. The following section summarize CNSC staff`s collaboration with the WNNB and MTI during the 2020/2021 sampling campaign.

4.2.1 Sampling with the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick and Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc community

Early on, CNSC staff held separate virtual meeting with the WNNB and MTI to discuss NB Power’s licensing and compliance activities at the Point Lepreau NGS, as well as sample planning.

The WNNB and MTI met together to locate and identify medicinal plants and local seafood consumed by their community members. They then presented their recommendations to CNSC staff at a meeting where NB Power was also present. CNSC staff incorporated the feedback obtained from both groups into the 2020/2021 IEMP sampling plan. The following locations and sampling types were considered (refer to figure 4.1 above for a visual representation):

Table 4.1: Sampling plan for the 2020/2021 IEMP campaign at the Point Lepreau NGS
Station ID	Sampling location	Sampling type
PL04	Dipper Harbour	Garden vegetables
PL06	Duck Cove	Periwinkles (marine snails)
PL07	County Line Road	Cedar
PL09	Lighthouse Road Marsh	Sphagnum moss, Labrador tea and sweet grass
PL12	Misty Harbour Seafood Market	Dulse (edible seaweed)
PL24	Pocologan	Clams
PL26	Irving Nature Park	Sweet grass
PL28	Chance Harbour	Cedar, Labrador tea and sphagnum moss
PL30	Dipper Harbour	Lobster

Dipper Harbour (PL04) and Duck Cove (PL06) were selected for sampling as they are adjacent to the Point Lepreau NGS where cedar, sphagnum moss, Labrador tea and sweet grass are known to grow. Misty Harbour Seafood Market (PL12) was chosen as it is the main commercial fish and seafood market in the region, and seafood samples have previously been obtained from this market. Irving Nature Park (PL26) and Chance Harbour (PL28) are reference locations with no potential for exposure.

Environmental monitors from the WNNB and MTI assisted CNSC staff with seafood and medicinal plant sampling, and they led the plant identification and locating activities.

4.3 Summary of results

The levels of gross gamma, gross beta and alpha, tritium and organically bound tritium in all of the samples collected in 2020 were below available guidelines and CNSC screening levels, and were similar to the range of results from the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 IEMP sampling campaigns at the Point Lepreau NGS. The measured radioactivity in all the samples with detectable radionuclide concentrations was below CNSC screening levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year, which represents one tenth of the CNSC’s public dose limit of 1 mSv/year. No health or environmental impacts are expected at these levels.

The results of the samples collected in 2021 are not yet available. Results from previous sampling campaigns are posted on the CNSC’s IEMP webpage ^{Footnote 50} , with the 2020/2021 results expected to be available before the next Commission hearing for the Point Lepreau NGS.

The IEMP results indicate that Indigenous Nations and communities, the public and the environment near the Point Lepreau NGS are protected and that there are no expected health impacts from the operations at the facility. These results are consistent with those submitted by NB Power and reviewed by CNSC’s EP staff, demonstrating that the licensee's EP program protects the health and safety of people and the environment.

5.0 Health studies

The following section draws from a multitude of studies, reports and publications, to provide further independent verification that the health of people living near or working at the Point Lepreau NGS, in New Brunswick, is protected. The Regional Health Authorities work collaboratively with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health ^{Footnote 51} and other government and non-government health services providers to directly monitor the health of people living near the Point Lepreau NGS.

CNSC staff continuously work towards strenghthening their relationship with the various chief medical officers of health. In addition, CNSC staff keep abreast of any new publications and data related to the health of populations living near nuclear facilities. Select publications are discussed and highlighted in subsections below. Additional information on health studies related to nuclear facilities is available on the CNSC webpage on Health Studies ^{Footnote 52} .

5.1 Broader scientific understanding of radiation health effects

The current scientific knowledge of the sources, effects, and risks of ionizing radiation is reviewed and published by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) ^{Footnote 53} . This knowledge, in turn, informs the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) ^{Footnote 54} , which are focused on the protection of human health.

5.1.1 Radiation epidemiology

The epidemiological evidence of radiation-related health effects comes from several main research populations. These populations include the atomic bomb survivors ^{Footnote 55} , people involved in the Chernobyl disaster ^{Footnote 56} ^{Footnote 57} , patients treated with radiotherapy for cancer and non-cancer diseases ^{Footnote 58} , miners exposed to radon and radon decay products ^{Footnote 59} ^{Footnote 60} , and nuclear energy workers ^{Footnote 61} ^{Footnote 62} ^{Footnote 63} ^{Footnote 64} .

Two major findings consistent within all of these studies are:

the excess risk of cancer increases as the radiation dose increases
statistically significant population effects are typically observed at doses above approximately 100 mSv (either acutely or chronically exposed)

To put these findings into perspective, 100 mSv is much higher than the average Canadian natural background of 1.8 mSv per year ^{Footnote 65} . Similarly, 100 mSv is much higher than the doses experienced by workers at the Point Lepreau NGS on an annual basis (that is, maximum individual effective dose of 9.6 mSv and average effective dose of 1.5 mSv (excluding those with zero dose)) and the public (that is, the estimated annual dose to the representative person was 0.0013 mSv) living near the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 2}^{Footnote 66} .

5.1.2 Conclusion

In conclusion, experts worldwide study radiation health effects to ensure protection of workers and members of the public. The international understanding is that low doses of radiation are associated with low risks to health. The term “low risk” refers to patterns of disease that may appear important, but may actually be due to random fluctuations in the natural variation of disease. CNSC staff are confident that those living and working near the Point Lepreau NGS are adequately protected.

5.2 CNSC studies of radiation health effects

The CNSC has conducted health studies that include NB Power employees. CNSC staff have also drawn information from studies and models that look at similar facilities, but different populations (discussed in subsections below). These studies, which have been carried out over several decades, have repeatedly demonstrated that people who work or live near nuclear facilities are as healthy as the general reference population (typically Canadian or provincial population). Given these findings and the much lower dose to the population living near the Point Lepreau NGS, CNSC staff confirm that no health effects specific to populations living near the facility are expected.

In considering radiation exposures, cancer is the main health concern, and thus, is typically the main focus of health studies and models of workers and persons living near nuclear facilities. The existing body of knowledge on various populations is used by CNSC staff to make determination on the health and safety of workers and persons living near the Point Lepreau NGS, in the absence of population-specific studies.

5.2.1 Health studies of populations living near nuclear facilities

The Radiation and Incidence of Cancer Around Ontario Nuclear Power Plants from 1990 to 2008 study (or the RADICON study), conducted by the CNSC, determined the radiation doses to members of the public living within 25 kilometers of the Pickering, Darlington and Bruce nuclear power plants, and compared cancer cases among these people with the general population of Ontario from 1990 to 2008 ^{Footnote 67} .

A main finding of the study was that there was no evidence of childhood leukemia clusters around the three Ontario nuclear power plants, and no consistent pattern of cancer across the populations in question. Childhood leukemia clusters surrounding nuclear power plants have been reported elsewhere in the worlds, however the link to radiation exposure as a casual agent was weak. Some types of cancer were higher than expected, but in other cases, they were lower or no different. Although this study detected variations for all cancers combined and for radiosensitive cancers, the pattern was found to be within the natural variation of cancer in Ontario. CNSC staff are confident that the broad conclusions of this study are applicable to the population living near the Point Lepreau NGS.

5.2.2 Modelling health impacts of hypothetical nuclear accidents

In 2020, CNSC staff published a study entitled Projecting thyroid cancer risk to the general public from radiation exposure following hypothetical severe nuclear accidents in Canada ^{Footnote 68} . This study projected thyroid cancer risk resulting from two hypothetical severe nuclear accidents occurring at the Darlington nuclear power plant located in Ontario, Canada. An important study assumption was that protective actions were only considered within the 10-kilometre radius of the nuclear power plant given the time sensitivity of iodine thyroid blocking. The excess risk of developing thyroid cancer was projected using the US National Cancer Institute’s online radiation risk assessment tool ^{Footnote 69} .

The results of this modelling study provide insights into the effectiveness of protective actions in reducing radiation-related thyroid cancer risk. The projected increase of developing thyroid cancer for children living beyond 10 kilometres could potentially be eliminated with additional mitigation measures specified in the Ontario Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan. Similar mitigation options are described in the New Brunswick Point Lepreau Nuclear Off-Site Emergency Plan.

Given the similarities between reactor designs, albeit the Point Lepreau NGS is a single-unit station, CNSC staff are confident that the broad conclusions of this study are applicable to the population living near the Point Lepreau NGS and that adequate measures are in place to protect the people living near the facility in the event of an accident or malfunction.

5.2.3 Canadian nuclear energy workers

In 2011, the CNSC published a study entitled Verifying Canadian Nuclear Energy Worker Radiation Risk: A Reanalysis of Cancer Mortality in Canadian Nuclear Energy Workers (1957-1994) ^{Footnote 70} . CNSC staff also published this work in the scientific literature ^{Footnote 71} . An analysis of 42 228 Canadian nuclear workers (including workers employed by NB Power) provided no evidence of increased risk of cancer mortality between 1964 and 1994. Canadian workers had lower all-cause and solid cancer mortality compared to the general Canadian population ^{Footnote 71} .

The Canadian findings are consistent with external studies, including the International Nuclear Worker Study (or INWORKS), a multinational cohort study that assessed cancer mortality from 1943 to 2005 in 308 297 workers from the nuclear industry in France, the United Kingdom and the United States ^{Footnote 61} ^{Footnote 62} ^{Footnote 63} ^{Footnote 64}. This series of studies provides strong evidence of a linear relationship between low dose radiation exposures and cancer. The results were consistent with the current radiation protection system, whereby the risk is assumed to be proportional to dose.

5.2.4 Other supporting evidence

Radiation biology studies (that is, experiments with cells and animals) provide biological plausibility of epidemiological findings (studies of humans), and inform how the CNSC regulates. In 2017, CNSC staff produced a CMD entitled Biological mechanisms acting at low doses of radiation ^{Footnote 72} and published its findings in the peer-reviewed scientific literature ^{Footnote 73} . The main finding was that the experimental evidence reviewed (cell and animal studies) did not support a deviation from the current radiation protection framework with regards to the risks associated with low doses of radiation.

For more information on radiation health effects, please visit the CNSC webpage on Radiation Health Effects ^{Footnote 74} .

5.3 Population and community health

New Brunswick has two Regional Health Authorities, Vitalité Health Network ^{Footnote 75} and Horizon Health Network ^{Footnote 76} , which have a broad mandate to deliver health services within the province. CNSC staff consider the disease rates around the Point Lepreau NGS, and compare them to similar populations to detect any potential radiation-related health outcomes that may be of concern.

5.3.1 My Community at a Glance 2017

The New Brunswick Health Council ^{Footnote 77} is an excellent resource for population and community health studies and reports. My Community at a Glance ^{Footnote 78} is a set of 33 community profiles that present demographics, health determinants and health outcomes to inform where public health resources may be needed to help build healthier communities. Reported health outcomes include: emphysema (or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), high blood pressure (or hypertension), arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, depression, gastric reflux, heart disease, mood disorder other than depression, stroke and memory loss. The information in each profile gives a comprehensive view about the people who live, learn, work, and take part in community life in this area.

My Community at a Glance includes a community profile for St. George, Grand Manan and the Blacks Harbour Area ^{Footnote 79} , which are the communities located near the Point Lepreau NGS. The health profiles provided for 2014 for these communities indicate that the leading chronic health conditions of high blood pressure (or hypertension) and arthritis are comparable to the provincial averages.

5.3.2 New Brunswick Cancer Network

The New Brunswick Cancer Network is a branch of the Department of Health whose mission is to reduce the burden of cancer for all New Brunswick citizens. Cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic diseases in New Brunswick and is the leading cause of death in the province. The 2019 Cancer System Performance report ^{Footnote 80} states:

“In 2019, it was estimated that 5,100 new cases of cancer would be diagnosed and 2,100 deaths from the disease. Overall the number of new cancer cases is increasing. Three types of cancer are expected to account for the majority of these new cases: prostate, lung and colorectal for males and breast, lung and colorectal for females. For both genders combined, on average, 12.6 new cancer cases were diagnosed per day for the period 2007-2013 compared to 10.7 new cancer cases diagnosed per day between 2002 and 2006. The most commonly diagnosed cancers for males were lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers accounting for 57.1% of all cancers. The most commonly diagnosed cancers for females were lung, colorectal, and breast cancers accounting for 53.4% of all cancers. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths for both males and females accounting for 32.3% and 26.2% of all cancer deaths, respectively. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths for both males and females accounting for 11.2% and 13.5% of all cancer deaths, respectively.”

These findings are similar to the general Canadian population ^{Footnote 81} .

5.3.3 Other available information

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB) investigated the cancer-environment connection in New Brunswick communities from the 90s to the early 2000s. The first report (Part 1) focused on the three largest cities (Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton), and the second report (Part 2) focused on fourteen urban and rural areas. The study noted that reporting cancer incidence rates by large geographic areas obscures important information about the health of New Brunswick citizens at the community level.

It is generally understood that areas with higher pollution rates lead to higher cancer rates. The CCNB study supports this notion by assessing the connection of various pollutants (such as pesticides, household and industrial chemicals) to lung, colorectral, breast and prostate cancer. The study demonstrates a strong connection between pollution rates and cancer rates. The authors of this study report, among other findings, that the high rates of lung cancer in Saint John are more likely linked to occupational and environmental exposure to pollutants than to smoking.

5.3.4 Conclusion

In conclusion, the population and community health studies and reports indicate that hypertension and arthritis are the leading chronic health conditions among the communities located near the Point Lepreau NGS, whereas the leading cause of death in the province of New Brunswick is cancer. These findings are similar to the rest of Canada ^{Footnote 82} .

5.4 Summary of health studies

Reviewing and conducting health studies and reports is an important component of ensuring that the health of people living near or working in nuclear facilities is protected. CNSC staff have considered the most recent international radiation epidemiology reports, their own information and scientific publications, as well as various community, provincial, and national level studies and reports for their evaluation of the health of all New Brunswick citizens in relation to the operation of the Point Lepreau NGS.

Major health risk factors, such as smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity, may account for the occurrence of the diseases within the New Brunswick population. Furthermore, differences in lifestyle factors also play a contributing role in disease patterns within the province. The health studies and reports presented in this section provide a snapshot of the health of people living near the Point Lepreau NGS, as well as comparable populations, which have been included for information purposes. Based on the assessed exposure and health data, CNSC staff have not observed and do not expect to observe any adverse health outcomes attributable to the operation of the Point Lepreau NGS.

6.0 Other environmental monitoring programs

Several monitoring programs are carried out by other levels or bodies of government, and are reviewed by CNSC staff to confirm that the environment and the health of persons around the facility in question are protected. A summary of the findings of these programs is provided below.

6.1 National Pollutant Release Inventory

As briefly discussed in subsection 2.4.3, ECCC operates the NPRI ^{Footnote 40}, which is Canada’s public inventory of pollutant releases, disposals and transfers, tracking over 320 pollutants from over 7,000 facilities across the country. Reporting facilities include factories that manufacture a variety of goods, mines, oil and gas operations, power plants and sewage treatment plants. Information that is collected includes:

releases from facilities to air, water or land
disposals at facilities or other locations
transfers to other locations for treatment and recycling
facilities’ activities, location and contacts
pollution prevention plans and activities ^{Footnote 83}

CNSC staff conducted a search of the NPRI database, reviewed the data for the Point Lepreau NGS, and did not notice any trends or unusual results. It is worth noting that radionuclides are not included in the inventory of pollutants in the NPRI database. However, the CNSC receives radionuclide loadings from CNSC licensees through other means, such as annual and quarterly reports. This information has been used in this report, but the complete dataset is available for download on the CNSC’s Open Government Portal ^{Footnote 84} .

6.2 Health Canada’s Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network and Fixed Point Surveillance Program

The Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada manages the Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN) ^{Footnote 85} . The CRMN routinely collects drinking water, precipitation, atmospheric water vapour, air particulate, and external gamma dose for radioactivity analysis at dozens of monitoring locations across the country. The closest CRMN monitoring location to the Point Lepreau NGS is in Moncton. The results at the Moncton station for 2020 are consistent with data from previous years and are well below the public dose limit of 1 mSv per year.

In addition, Health Canada has complemented the CRMN with a Fixed Point Surveillance (FPS) system ^{Footnote 86} . The FPS functions as a real-time radiation detection system designed to monitor public dose from radioactive materials in the air, including atmospheric emissions associated with nuclear facilities and activities both nationally and internationally. Monitoring stations continuously measure gamma radioactivity levels from ground-deposited (ground-shine) and airborne contaminants.

Health Canada measures the radiation dose rate as Air KERMA (kinetic energy released in unit mass of material) reported as nanogray (nGy) per hour of absorbed dose. These measurements are conducted every 15 minutes at 79 sites of its FPS network across the country. Air KERMA is also measured for three radioactive noble gases associated with nuclear fission, which may escape into the atmosphere during normal operation of nuclear facilities. These three noble gases are argon-41, xenon-133 and xenon-135. CNSC staff converted the absorbed dose rate to an effective dose, reported in mSv per year, which allows for comparison to annual background dose estimates and the regulatory public dose limit.

The 2020 total external gamma doses reported for the FPS network at the seven locations near the Point Lepreau NGS are similar to the Canadian average for natural background from gamma (the range is 0.007 to 0.027 mSv per year). These results indicate that total external gamma dose at these stations is not significantly influenced by activities at the Point Lepreau NGS. Further evidence of this is provided by the extremely low activity levels reported for the noble gases, as outlined in table 6.1. All of the results are significantly below the public dose limit of 1 mSv per year.

Table 6.1: Annual external gamma doses for 2020 at the FPS network monitoring stations near the Point Lepreau NGS ^{Footnote 85}
Monitoring stations near the Point Lepreau NGS	External gamma dose (mSv/year)^(a)
	All gamma sources	Monitored noble gases (fission products)
	All gamma sources	Argon-41	Xenon-133	Xenon-135
Lighthouse^(b)	0.019	0.000001	*	*
Digby	0.029	*	*	*
Dipper Harbour	0.023	*	*	*
Emergency Centre	0.033	*	*	*
Saint John	0.020	*	*	*
Welch Cove	0.015	*	*	*
Kingston NS	0.015	*	*	*

* No data is reported when results were below the minimum detectable dose.
(a) Assumptions: Adult located at monitoring station for 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Air KERMA in nanogray corrected. Total Dose: 0.69 Sv for every Gray of absorbed dose measured. Argon-41: 0.74; Xenon-133: 0.75; Xenon-135: 0.67.
(b) June 2020 data was not collected at the Lighthouse station due to a problem with the equipment or data transfer.

7.0 Conclusions

This EPR report focused on items of current Indigenous, public and regulatory interest, including physical stressors, and airborne and waterborne releases from ongoing operations at the Point Lepreau NGS. CNSC staff have found that the potential risks from physical stressors, as well as from radiological and hazardous releases to the atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial and human environments from the Point Lepreau NGS are low to negligible.

7.1 CNSC staff follow-up

The following list summarizes CNSC staff’s comments regarding the EP measures implemented by NB Power for the Point Lepreau NGS. It is CNSC staff’s expectation that NB Power will:

implement the 2021 ERA recommendations, mainly with respect to the potential risk for some aquatic and terrestrial biota due to chemical and physical stressors (subsections 2.3.3 and 3.2.3)

This is not expected to change CNSC staff’s conclusions and is included for transparency with Indigenous Nations and communities and the public. CNSC staff will follow-up with NB Power regarding the implementation status of the 2021 ERA recommendations.

7.2 CNSC staff’s conclusions

CNSC staff’s findings from this EPR report may inform and support staff recommendations to the Commission in future licensing and regulatory decision making that pertain to the Point Lepreau NGS. These findings are based on CNSC staff’s reviews of documents associated with NB Power’s Point Lepreau NGS, such as the submitted ERA documentation and the conduct of compliance verification activities, including the review of annual and quarterly reports, and onsite inspections. CNSC staff also reviewed the results from various relevant or comparable health studies, and other environmental monitoring programs conducted by other levels of government, to substantiate CNSC staff’s findings. CNSC staff also conducted IEMP sampling around the Point Lepreau NGS in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020/2021.

Based on CNSC staff’s assessment of NB Power’s documentation, CNSC staff have found that the potential risks from physical stressors, as well as from radiological and hazardous releases to the atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial and human environments from the Point Lepreau NGS are low to negligible, resulting in no significant adverse effects. The potential risks to the environment form these releases are similar to natural background and the potential risks to human health are indistinguishable to health outcomes in the general public. Therefore, CNSC staff have found that NB Power implements and maintains effective EP measures to adequately protect the environment and the health of persons. CNSC staff will continue to verify and ensure that, through ongoing licensing and compliance activities and reviews, the environment and the health of persons are protected.

CNSC staff’s findings in this EPR report do not represent the Commission’s conclusions. The Commission’s decision-making will be informed by submissions from CNSC staff, the licensee, as well as by Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and any interventions heard during public hearings on licensing matters.

Abbreviations

Units	Abbreviations
Becquerel	Bq
Cubic meter	m³
Litre	L
Microgray	μGy
Milligrams	mg
Million electron volt	MeV
Millisievert	mSv
Nanogray	nGy

Acronyms

Acronym	Definition
ALARA	As low as reasonably achievable
C-14	Carbon-14
CANDU	Canada Deuterium Uranium
CCNB	Conservation Council of New Brunswick
CCME	Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
CEAA 1992	Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992
CEAA 2012	Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
CEPA 1999	Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
CMD	Commission member document
CNSC	Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
CO	Carbon monoxide
CO₂	Carbon dioxide
COPC	Contaminant of potential concern
CRMN	Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network
CSA	Canadian Standards Association
DDP	Detailed decommissioning plan
DFO	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
DRL	Derived releases limits
EA	Environmental assessment
EAL	Environmental action level
ECCC	Environment and Climate Change Canada
EMP	Environmental monitoring program
EMS	Environmental management system
EP	Environmental protection
EPP	Environmental protection program
EPR	Environmental protection review
ERA	Environmental risk assessment
FAA	Fisheries Act authorization
FPS	Fixed point surveillance
GCDWQ	Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
GHG	Greenhouse gas
HHRA	Human health risk assessment
I-131	Iodine-131
IA	Impact assessment
IAA	Impact Assessment Act of Canada
ICRP	International Commission on Radiological Protection
IEMP	Independent Environmental Monitoring Program
ISO	International Organization for Standardization
KERMA	Kinetic energy released in unit mass of material
LCH	Licence conditions handbook
MOU	Memorandum of understanding
MTI	Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc community
N/A	Not applicable
NB Power	New Brunswich Power Corporation
NO₂	Nitrogen dioxide
NPRI	National Pollutant Release Inventory
N/R	Not reported
NSCA	Nuclear Safety and Control Act
PDP	Preliminary decommissioning plan
PFOS	Perfluorooctane sulfonate
PHC	Petroleum hydrocarbon
Point Lepreau NGS	Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station
PM	Particulate matter
PROL	Power Reactor Operating Licence
REMP	Radiological environmental monitoring program
ROR	Regulatory oversight report
SARA	Species at Risk Act
SO₂	Sulphur dioxide
SRWMF	Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility
UNSCEAR	United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
VC	Valued component
VOC	Volatile organic compound
WNNB	Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick

References

Endnotes

Footnote 1

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Preliminary Decommissioning Plan for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, N29-1771-002, Revision 1, June 2020

Return to 1 referrer

Footnote 2

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2020, March 2021

Return to 2 referrer

Footnote 3

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2019, March 2020

Return to 3 referrer

Footnote 4

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2018, March 2019

Return to 4 referrer

Footnote 5

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2017, March 2018, https://www.nbpower.com/media/842147/acr-00700-2017-001-a-00-en.pdf

Return to 5 referrer

Footnote 6

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2016, March 2017, https://www.nbpower.com/media/772022/acr-07000-2016-001-a-00.pdf

Return to 6 referrer

Footnote 7

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Annual Report on Environmental Protection - 2015, March 2016, https://www.nbpower.com/media/696669/0087-07000-2015-001-acr-a-01-english.pdf

Return to 7 referrer

Footnote 8

SENES Consultants, Point Lepreau Generating Station Site-Wide Risk Assessment, Prepared for New Brunswick Power Corporation, June 2015

Return to 8 referrer

Footnote 9

Arcardis Canada Inc., Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Environmental Risk Assessment, Prepared for New Brunswick Power Corporation, May 2021

Return to 9 referrer

Footnote 10

Government of Canada, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992 (Repealed, 2012, c. 19, s. 66), 1992, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-15.2/index.html

Return to 10 referrer

Footnote 11

Government of Canada, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (Repealed, 2019, c. 28, s. 9), 2012, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-15.21/

Return to 11 referrer

Footnote 12

Government of Canada, Impact Assessment Act (c. 28, s. 1), 2019, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.75/

Return to 12 referrer

Footnote 13

CNSC, Environmental Protection Review, Last updated on June 9, 2021, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/environmental-protection/reviews/index

Return to 13 referrer

Footnote 14

Government of Canada, Open Government Portal, https://open.canada.ca/en

Return to 14 referrer

Footnote 15

Government of New Brunswick, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act, 1973, http://laws.gnb.ca/en/ShowTdm/cs/C-6//

Return to 15 referrer

Footnote 16

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Point Lepreau Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility Modifications Environmental Assessment Study Report, May 2003

Return to 16 referrer

Footnote 17

CNSC, CMD 03-H24, Screening Report for the Modifications to the Point Lepreau Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility, May 2003

Return to 17 referrer

Footnote 18

CNSC, Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision in the Matter of New Brunswick Power Corporation’s Environmental Assessment Screening Repot – Proposed Modifications to the SRWMF, August 2003

Return to 18 referrer

Footnote 19

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility Modifications Environmental Assessment Follow-Up Program, 2004

Return to 19 referrer

Footnote 20

CNSC, Nuclear Power Reactor Operating Licence PROL 17.04/2017 for New Brunswick Power Corporation, January 2015

Return to 20 referrer

Footnote 21

CNSC, CMD 17-H2, Licence Renewal for New Brunswick Power Corporation’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station – Commission Public Hearing Part One, December 2016

Return to 21 referrer

Footnote 22

CNSC, Record of Proceedings, Application to Renew the Nuclear Power Reactor Operating Licence for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, January 2017, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/the-commission/pdf/2017-05-10-DetailedRecordDecision-NB%20Power-PointLepreau-e.pdf

Return to 22 referrer

Footnote 23

CNSC, REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Policies, Programs and Procedures, 2013, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/pubs_catalogue/uploads/REGDOC-2-9-1-Environmental-Protection-Policies-Programs-and-Procedures-eng.pdf

Return to 23 referrer

Footnote 24

CNSC, REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures, version 1.2, September 2020, /pubs_catalogue/uploads/REGDOC-2-9-1-Environmental-Principles-Assessments-and-Protection-Measures-Phase-II.pdf

Return to 24 referrer

Footnote 25

CSA Group, CSA N288.1-14, Guidelines for calculating derived release Limits for Radioactive Material in Airborne and Liquid Effluents for Normal Operation of Nuclear Facilities, Update No.1, 2014

Return to 25 referrer

Footnote 26

CSA Group, CSA N288.2-14, Guidelines for Calculating the Radiological Consequences to the Public of a Release of Airborne Radioactive Material for Nuclear Reactor Accidents, 2014

Return to 26 referrer

Footnote 27

CSA Group, CSA N288.4-10, Environmental Monitoring Programs at Class I Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, Update No.2, May 2015

Return to 27 referrer

Footnote 28

CSA Group, CSA N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, May 2010

Return to 28 referrer

Footnote 29

CSA Group, CSA N288.6-12, Environmental Risk Assessment at Class I nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, June 2012

Return to 29 referrer

Footnote 30

CSA Group, CSA N288.7-15, Groundwater Protection Programs at Class I Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, June 2015

Return to 30 referrer

Footnote 31

CNSC, REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants, Version 2, April 2016, https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/acts-and-regulations/regulatory-documents/published/html/regdoc3-1-1-v2/index

Return to 31 referrer

Footnote 32

CNSC, Radiation Protection Regulations SOR/2000-203, 2000, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2000-203/page-1.html

Return to 32 referrer

Footnote 33

CNSC, Licence Conditions Handbook - Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station LCH-PR-17.00/2022-R001, Revision 1

Return to 33 referrer

Footnote 34

Brunswick Power Corporation, Environmental Protection, https://www.nbpower.com/en/safety/nuclear-safety/environmental-protection

Return to 34 referrer

Footnote 35

CNSC, Regulatory Oversight Reports, Last updated on July 6, 2021, http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/publications/reports/regulatory-oversight-reports/index

Return to 35 referrer

Footnote 36

Government of Canada, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (c. 33), 1999, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-15.31/

Return to 36 referrer

Footnote 37

Government of Canada, Notice with Respect to Reporting of Greenhouse Gases for 2016, December 2016, http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2016/2016-12-10/html/notice-avis-eng.html#na1

Return to 37 referrer

Footnote 38

Government of Canada, Federal Halocarbon Regulations (SOR/2003-289), 2003, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2003-289/index.html

Return to 38 referrer

Footnote 39

Government of New Brunswick, Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbon Regulation (97-132), November 1997, https://www.canlii.org/en/nb/laws/regu/nb-reg-97-132/latest/nb-reg-97-132.html

Return to 39 referrer

Footnote 40

Government of Canada, National Pollutant Release Inventory, Last updated on March 3, 2021, https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/pollution-waste-management/national-pollutant-release-inventory.html

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Footnote 41

Government of Canada, Fisheries Act (C. F-14), 1985, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-14/page-1.html

Return to 41 referrer

Footnote 42

Government of Canada, Species at Risk Act (c. 29), 2002, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/s-15.3/

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Footnote 43

EcoMetrix Incorporated, Groundwater Monitoring Program for Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, Prepared for New Brunswick Power Corporation, August 2020

Return to 43 referrer

Footnote 44

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Implementation Groundwater Protection Program, December 2020

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Footnote 45

Health Canada, Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Summary Table, September 2020, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/water-quality/guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-summary-table.html

Return to 45 referrer

Footnote 46

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, 1999, http://ceqg-rcqe.ccme.ca/en/index.html#void

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Footnote 47

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines, February 2017, https://www.ec.gc.ca/ese-ees/38E6993C-76AA-4486-BAEB-D3828B430A6E/PFOS_En.pdf

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Footnote 48

Government of Canada, Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 – Interim Technical Guidance, March 2018, Version 2, https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/assessing-cumulative-environmental-effects-ceaa2012.html

Return to 48 referrer

Footnote 49

CNSC, Independent Environmental Monitoring Program – 2021 Site Specific Sampling Plan – Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Site, June, 2021

Return to 49 referrer

Footnote 50

CNSC, Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP), Last updated on April 8, 2021, http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/maps-of-nuclear-facilities/iemp/index

Return to 50 referrer

Footnote 51

Government of New Brunswick, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh.html

Return to 51 referrer

Footnote 52

CNSC, Health Studies, Last updated on May 5, 2021, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/health/index

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Footnote 53

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, UNSCEAR Publications, Last updated on July 2, 2021, https://www.unscear.org/unscear/publications.html

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Footnote 54

International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publications, https://www.icrp.org/page.asp?id=5

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Footnote 55

Ozasa, K., Shimizu, Y., Suyama, A., Kasagi, F., Soda, M., Grant, E. J., Sakata, R., Sugiyama, H., and Kodama, K., Studies of Atomic Bomb Survivors, Report 14, 1950-2003: An Overview of Cancer and Noncancer Diseases, Radiation Research, 2011, 177(3): 229-243

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Footnote 56

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation, UNSCEAR 2008 Report to the General Assembly, 2008, Volume II

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Footnote 57

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Evaluation of Data on Thyroid Cancer in Regions Affected by the Chernobyl Accident, UNSCEAR White Paper, 2018, https://www.unscear.org/docs/publications/2017/Chernobyl_WP_2017.pdf

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Footnote 58

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Effects of Ionizing Radiation, UNSCEAR Report to the General Assembly, 2006, Volume I

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Footnote 59

Lane, R. S. D., Frost, S. E., Howe, G. R., and L. B. Zablotska, Mortality (1950–1999) and Cancer Incidence (1969–1999) in the Cohort of Eldorado Uranium Workers, Radiation Research, 2010, 174: 773-785

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Footnote 60

CNSC, Update (January 2020 – September 2020) Canadian Uranium Workers Study (CANUWS), September 2020

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Footnote 61

Lymphoma in Radiation-Monitored Workers: An International Cohort Study, The Lancet Haematology, 2015, 2(7): 276-281

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Footnote 62

Laurier, D., Richardson, D. B., Cardis, E., Daniels, R. D., Gillies, M., O’Hagan, J., Hamra, G. B., Haylock, R., Leuraud, K., Moissonnier, M., Schubauer-Berigan, M. K., Thierry-Chef, I., and Kesminiene, A., The International Nuclear Workers Study): A Collaborative Epidemiological Study to Improve Knowledge about Health Effects of Protracted Low-Dose Exposure, Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2017, 173(1-3): 21-25

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Footnote 63

Richardson, D. B., Cardis, E., Daniels, R. D., Gillies, M., O’Hagan, J. A., Hamra, G. B., Haylock, R., Laurier, D., Leraud, K., Moissonnier, M., Schubauer-Berigan, M. K., Thierry-Chef, I., and Kesminiene, A., Risk of Cancer from Occupational Exposure to Ionising Radiation: Retrospective Cohort Study of Workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, BMJ, 2015

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Footnote 64

Richardson, D. B., Cardis, E., Daniels, R. D., Gillies, M., Haylock, R., Leuraud, K., Laurier, D., Moissonnier, M., Schubauer-Berigan, M. K., Thierry-Chef, I., and Kesminiene, A., Site-specific Solid Cancer Mortality After Exposure to Ionizing Radiation A Cohort Study of Workers, Epidemiology, 2019, 29(1): 31-40

Return to 64 referrer

Footnote 65

Grasty, L. R., and Lamarre, J. R., The Annual Effective Dose from Natural Sources of Ionising Radiation in Canada, Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2004, 108(3): 215- 226

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Footnote 66

New Brunswick Power Corporation, Quarterly Report on Nuclear Power Plant Personnel Q4 of 2020, March 2021.

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Footnote 67

Lane, R., Dagher, E., Burtt, J. J., and Thompson, P.A., Radiation Exposure and Cancer Incidence (1990-2008) Around Nuclear Power Plants in Ontario, Canada, Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013, 4: 888-913

Return to 67 referrer

Footnote 68

Burtt, J. J., Rickard, M., McAllister, A., Bergman, L., and Zablotska, L. B., Projecting Thyroid Cancer Risk to the General Public from Radiation Exposure Following Hypothetical Severe Nuclear Accidents in Canada, Journal of Radiological Protection, 2020, 40: 1091-1110

Return to 68 referrer

Footnote 69

National Cancer Institute, Online Radiation Risk Assessment Tool, Last updated on January 31, 2020, https://radiationcalculators.cancer.gov/radrat/

Return to 69 referrer

Footnote 70

CNSC, Verifying Canadian Nuclear Energy Worker Radiation Risk: A Reanalysis of Cancer Mortality in Canadian Nuclear Energy Workers (1957-1994), June 2011, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/pubs_catalogue/uploads/INFO0811_e.pdf

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Footnote 71

Zablotska, R. B., Lane, R. S. D., and Thompson, P. A., A Reanalysis of Cancer Mortality in Canadian Nuclear Workers (1956-1994) Based on Revised Exposure and Cohort Data, British Journal of Cancer, 2014, 110: 214-223

Return to 71 referrer

Footnote 72

CNSC, CMD 17-M46, Biological Mechanisms Acting at Low Doses of Radiation, November 2017

Return to 72 referrer

Footnote 73

Leblanc, J. E., and Burtt J .J., Radiation Biology and Its Role in the Canadian Radiation Protection Framework, Health Physics, 2019, 117(3): 319-329

Return to 73 referrer

Footnote 74

CNSC, Radiation Health Effects, Last updated on September 12, 2019, http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/radiation/radiation-health-effects

Return to 74 referrer

Footnote 75

Government of New Brunswick, Vitalité Health Network, https://www.vitalitenb.ca/en

Return to 75 referrer

Footnote 76

Government of New Brunswick, Horizon Health Network, https://en.horizonnb.ca/

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Footnote 77

Government of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Health Council, https://nbhc.ca/

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Footnote 78

New Brunswick Health Council, My Community at a Glance, https://nbhc.ca/community-profiles

Return to 78 referrer

Footnote 79

New Brunswick Health Council, My Community at a Glance 2017 – St. George, Grand Manan, and Blacks Harbour Area, https://nbhc.ca/sites/default/files/publications-attachments/2017-My%20Community%20at%20a%20Glance%20-19-St.%20George%2C%20Grand%20Manan%2C%20Blacks%20Harbour%20Area.pdf

Return to 79 referrer

Footnote 80

Government of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Cancer Network – Cancer System Performance 2019, September 2019, https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/Cancer/2019_cancer_system_performance.pdf

Return to 80 referrer

Footnote 81

Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee, Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2020 Special Report on Lung Cancer, September 2020, https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/Canadian-cancer-statistics-2020_special-report_EN.pdf?la=en

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Footnote 82

Statistics Canada, Deaths, 2019, November 2020, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/daily-quotidien/201126/dq201126b-eng.pdf?st=k18uqd6E

Return to 82 referrer

Footnote 83

Government of Canada, About the National Pollutant Release Inventory, Last updated on November 28, 2019, https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-pollutant-release-inventory/about-national-pollutant-release-inventory.html

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Footnote 84

Government of Canada, Radionuclide Release Datasets from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Last updated on July 2, 2021, https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/6ed50cd9-0d8c-471b-a5f6-26088298870e

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Footnote 85

Government of Canada, Radiation Measurement, Last updated on June 15, 2021, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/understanding/measurements.html

Return to 85 referrer

Footnote 86

Government of Canada, 2020 Dose Data from the Fixed Point Surveillance Network, Last updated on February 18, 2021, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/understanding/measurements/2020-dose-data-fixed-point-surveillance-network.html

Return to 86 referrer

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Date modified:: 2022-12-15