Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Chalk River Laboratories

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[ ] Guideline/Reference Level

Background

Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, licensees of nuclear facilities are required to implement environmental monitoring programs to demonstrate that the public and the environment are protected from emissions related to the facilities’ activities. The results of these monitoring programs are submitted to the CNSC, which verifies and ensures compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

The CNSC has implemented its IEMP to independently verify that the public and the environment around the licensed nuclear facilities are protected. The IEMP is separate from, but complementary to, the CNSC’s ongoing compliance verification program. The IEMP involves taking samples from publicly accessible areas around the facilities, and measuring and analyzing the amount of radioactive (nuclear)and hazardous substances in those samples. CNSC staff collect the samples and send them to the CNSC’s independent laboratory for testing and analysis. CNSC conducted IEMP sampling campaign around Chalk River Laboratories in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.

2022 Results

The 2022 IEMP sampling plan for the Chalk River Laboratories focused on radioactive substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on the licensee’s approved environmental monitoring program and CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. We endeavor to incorporate traditional Indigenous land use, values and knowledge by engaging with Indigenous Nations and communities on the sampling plan. More information on this engagement is provided in the “Indigenous Nations and Communities’ Participation” section.

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

The levels of radioactivity measured in soil, sediment and water were below the available guidelines and CNSC screening levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv per year (one-tenth of the regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv per year). For samples where no guidelines or screening levels exist, results were compared to reference ^{Footnote 1} samples. Measurements conducted by the IEMP to date have consistently found levels of radioactivity in the environment to be low, and well within the range of natural background radiation levels. As a result, no effects on human health are expected.

2019 results

The 2019 IEMP sampling plan for the CRL site focused on both radioactive (nuclear) and hazardous contaminants. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on CNL’s environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In 2019, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the CRL site perimeter and included air, water, soil, beach sand, wild vegetation, grass, and food such as goat, radishes, kale, tomatoes and cucumbers.

The concentrations of radioactive contaminants measured in air, beach sand, food, soil, vegetation and water were below CNSC screening levels and within the range of expected natural background levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.

Similar to previous years’ results, the concentration of iron (Fe) in the water sample (CR09-W05) exceeded the CCME’s Canadian water quality guidelines (300 µg/L), but remained within the range of natural background levels (100-1200 µg/L). It should be noted that the CCME value for iron is based on objectionable water taste, and staining of plumbing and laundry, as opposed to health concerns. The IEMP data with elevated levels of iron occurred in Black Duck Lake, adjacent to Deep River. These results are not reflective of activities at the CRL site, and are deemed to be associated with natural concentrations, as elevated levels of iron are characteristic of this type of water body (swamp) or other local activities such as those that used to take place on the nearby trail, which was historically a railway track.

The IEMP results for calcium (8.6 mg/L) reported at CR09-W05 are well below the water hardness background level (41 mg/L) reported by CNL. Furthermore, the IEMP results for uranium in beach sand (0.33–0.62 mg/kg) were comparable to the range of values obtained at the reference site upstream beaches in Deep River and Cook’s Cove. The measured uranium concentrations in beach sand are indistinguishable from background levels ^{Footnote 1} and do not pose any added risks to human health or the environment.

2015, 2013, and 2012 results

IEMP sampling at the CRL site for 2012, 2013 and 2015 focused on both radioactive (nuclear) and hazardous substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on CNL’s environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In 2015, 2013, and 2012, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the CNL perimeter fence and included samples of air, beach sand, food, sediment, soil, vegetation and water.

The concentrations of radioactive contaminants measured in air, beach sand, foodstuffs, soil, vegetation and water were below CNSC screening levels and within natural background levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/ year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.

The concentration of hazardous contaminants in air, beach sand, sediment, soil and water were, in general, below or close to the CCME’s guidelines and the natural background levels. No health or environmental impacts are expected at these levels.

Indigenous Nations and Communities’ Participation

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

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

KZA

Representatives from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) joined the field team and participated in sampling in August 2022. The sampling team and KZA representatives along with Nagadjitodjig Aki Guardians discussed the IEMP and related aspects of the CNSC’s Environmental Protection Framework. The sampling team demonstrated sampling techniques as well as packaging and chain of custody procedures. KZA participants helped to gather samples of water, soil and sand and provided information and knowledge about the sampling areas.

Curve Lake

A Curve Lake First Nation (CLFN) representative joined the field team and participated in sampling in August 2022. The sampling team and CLFN representative discussed the IEMP and walked through demonstrations of sampling techniques as well as packaging and chain of custody procedures. The CLFN representative helped to gather food samples at local farms around Chalk River.

MNO

Representatives from Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Regions 5 and 6 joined the field team and participated in sampling in August 2022. The sampling team and MNO representatives discussed the IEMP and related aspects of the CNSC’s Environmental Protection Framework. The sampling team demonstrated sampling techniques as well as packaging and chain of custody procedures. MNO participants helped to gather samples of water, soil, sand and vegetation.

AOO

The Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) reviewed the sampling plan over the winter of 2021-2022 and identified several locations and species of interest. In August 2022, a representative from the AOO joined the sampling team and helped CNSC staff obtain these samples which included cat tail roots, Old Man’s Beard, white pine, wintergreen and balsam fir. The sampling team and the AOO representative discussed the IEMP and walked through demonstrations of sampling techniques for water, sand and soil as well as packaging and chain of custody procedures.

AOPFN

The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (AOPFN) reviewed the sampling plan over the winter of 2021-2022 and provided comments, including identifying several locations and species of importance. A representative from AOPFN joined the sampling team in August 2022 and worked with CNSC staff to obtain samples of traditional plants such as white pine, wintergreen and balsam fir. The sampling team and AOPFN representative discussed the IEMP and walked through demonstrations of sampling techniques for water, sand and soil as well as packaging and chain of custody procedures.
We will continue to engage with interested Indigenous Nations and communities to ensure that IEMP sampling incorporates Indigenous knowledge in future sampling.

View detailed sampling data.

Conclusions

IEMP results from 2012, 2013. 2015, 2019 and 2022 remained consistent with the environmental and effluent monitoring results submitted by CNL, supporting CNSC’s assessment that the licensee’s environmental protection program is effective. The results add to the body of evidence that people and the environment in the vicinity of the Chalk River Laboratories are protected and that there are no anticipated health impacts from the operation of the facilities on the site.