CCRC has collected various types of organic samples for tritium
analysis in an attempt to quantify the levels of tritium in the
environment around SRB Technologies on Boundary Road in Pembroke,
Ontario. These samples vary from urine of local residents to
snow, soil and water samples to vegetable and fruits from local
gardens. Other samples from some distance were used as controls.
The results show an unacceptable level of tritium in the
environment and an amount that is not diminishing. We are constantly
reminding the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission of their responsibility
to protect the health of the public. They have ignored our concern
for the health of Pembroke residents and have failed to regulate
SRB under section 3 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act
. Our results show that residents of Pembroke are being subjected
to levels of tritium above the emission
limits of the regulations outlined in the SRB operating licence.
The results of our testing are covered in the following files.
1999; 2001a;
2001b; (map
of 1999 to 2001 sample sites); 2003;
2004a; 2004b.
Keep in mind that normal background levels for tritium in vegetables
and fruit are very low as can be seen in the rhubarb sample from
Golden Lake taken in 1999 , which tested at 2 Bq/L. A sample
of snow from February, 2004, contained 12,930 Bq/L. The maximum
allowable tritium in drinking water in Canada is 7000 Bq/L and
in the United States it is 10 times lower at 700 Bq/L. In either
country, this level of contamination in Pembroke should raise
alarm bells!
CCRC has recently written the President
of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission asking for an investigation
as to why her organization is not doing its job.
For more information on tritium, please see discussion
of health effects and a look at tritium release levels from
Ontario's nuclear reactors.