Item - 2018.HL28.8

The Board of Health received the report (June 28, 2018) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.

BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada) operates a uranium processing facility at 1025 Lansdowne Avenue in Toronto. At this location, uranium dioxide is processed into pellets for use in CANDU reactors. The facility is subject to oversight from several regulatory bodies, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Transport Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. The oversight includes strict limits on uranium emissions to water, air, soil, and limits on effective radiation dose to the general public.

As part of its Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission operating license, BWXT implements a comprehensive environmental monitoring program. This includes continuous air quality stack testing, ambient air monitoring at the facility boundary, soil testing, and water quality testing. In addition, the facility has been subject to independent environmental monitoring and review carried out by both the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. All facility emissions to date have been significantly lower than the applicable standards, guidelines, and release limits, with the uranium levels in the community being similar to background levels in other parts of Ontario.

At this time, based on all available information, there are no adverse environmental and health impacts expected in the vicinity of the BWXT facility.