SRB Technologies Inc., a
Tritium light manufacturer operating in a mini-mall on Boundary
Rd., Pembroke, is the source of Tritium emissions. Independent
testing of vegetation within 800 metres of the light factory
shows radioactive Tritium levels well above background levels.
Buildings in the vicinity include two mini-Malls, a large office
furniture factory, the County of Renfrew headquarters, including
the Renfrew County & District Health Unit, residences, restaurants
and recreation facilities.This company has been given the blessing
and support for their operation (and emissions) by:
Dr.Michael Corriveau, Medical
Officer of Health, Renfrew County (see our letter);
This support for the safety
of the operation of SRB was given after most of these test results
were made public. The Pembroke City Council relied on the testimony
of employees of the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB), who said
that the Tritium emissions were no threat to public health.
samples collected and tested
independently by the Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County (CCRC);
samples collected and tested
by the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) from sample locations
suggested by CCRC;
samples collected and tested
by the Atomic Energy Control Board;
samples collected by CCRC
and tested by AECL Chalk River.
Please see a synopsis of correspondence between SRB and the Atomic Energy
Control Board which we received under the Freedom of Information
Act. This history of the relationship between our nuclear regulator
and a small company producing tritium-activated lights demonstrates
the lack of concern for the environment by both the company and
the regulator, the AECB, and raises the question, "who's
in charge of public health?"
Other Tritium sampling
We also offer for comparison,
results from Tritium sampling done at Atomic Energy of Canada
Ltd., Chalk River, ON(1) (AECL); near the Pickering Nuclear Power Station, east of Toronto; near the
Darlington Nuclear Power Station, east of Toronto;
and near the Bruce Nuclear Power Station on the east
shore of Lake Huron.(2) The results of Tritium in the
environment at these sites will put the amount of Tritium being
released into the environment in Pembroke by SRB Technologies
into some perspective. (see Pembroke test results). Tritium in the Pembroke environment
is much higher. As well as vegetation and soil tests, the Pembroke
tests also include a urine sample (590 Bq/L.) and hockey arena
ice scrapings (3000 Bq/L.), where the closed environment, humid
air and athletic breathing create a concentrated transference
of tritium to the lungs, where it becomes absorbed into the bloodstream.
The 2001 tests (March/April 2001) show an increase in the levels
of Tritium in the environment... as high as 10,500 Bq/L. in snow samples.
General discussion
of Tritium
Tritium is a radionuclide, a beta emitter and has a half
life of 12.5 years. It decays to an isotope of Helium, releasing
a neutrino and a beta particle (an electron). The electron is
slow-moving and has a very short range. A becquerel is the breakdown
of one Tritium (H3O) molecule per second.
The results of these tests are given in Becquerels per liter
of water (Bq/l.). Thus 1 Bq/l. is the emission of 1 electron
per liter of water per second.
"Tritium was believed to be a relatively benign radionuclide
because of the weakness of the beta radiation emitted when it
decays. The beta electron is a small particle that passes readily
through most barriers. The dangers of tritium come from inhalation,
ingestion, and absorption.
Tritiated water (HTO) passes through the human body in 12
days. However, when the radionuclide unites with carbon in the
human body, plants, or animals, it becomes organically bound
(OBT) and can remain in the human body for 450 to 650 days. One
study found traces of tritium in the body 10 years after exposure.
Tritium is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic. Human
beings can receive chronic exposure to OBT through the ingestion
of plants and animals exposed in an effluent pathway, in addition
to direct uptake through inhalation, absorption and drinking
contaminated water. Especially sensitive to the effects of tritium
are rapidly growing cells such as fetal tissue, genetic materials
and blood forming organs.
Tritium is dense and has a short track length. It releases
all its activity at one time. This makes it more potent and similar
to soft x-rays which are more effective than hard x-rays. When
and where it deposits its radioactivity, it creates at least
one lesion in the cell. This lesion must be repaired within 24
hours, or, when the cell eventually divides, it will be carcinogenic."
(3)
(1) Brown, R.M. 'Environmental Tritium in Trees.' in IAEA-SM-232/44,
(circa 1979): 405-417
(2)Ontario Power Generation.
'Annual Summary and Assessment of Environmental Radiological
Data for 1998'. April 29, 1999: 71-81.