Dangerous uranium work doesn’t belong near a school

CARN (a group of citizens concerned about what is happening on the old GE site) is opposing the BWXT application for uranium pellet processing. Their opposition has been characterized by some as a NIMBY movement. It should in fact be looked at for what it is: a student and public safety issue.

Assuming you buy the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s assertion that the licensed release of 760 kg/year water used in uranium production into Peterborough sewers is safe and acceptable (there is of course no history of any issues with water contamination from previous operations at the site), and that you are fine with BWXT being licensed to release 550 g of uranium/ year into the air next to an elementary school; and assuming that you don’t foresee any radiological material release accidents occurring (we know these never happen), at least consider the more immediate dangers of transporting and using fluorine, hydrofluoric acid, and compressed, highly explosive hydrogen gas through, and in a residential neighbourhood and immediately adjacent to A SCHOOL.

All three of the aforementioned substances are dangerous and regulated materials. It is highly unlikely that any facility would be granted a NEW licence to work with these chemicals in a residential area. BWXT is benefiting from working in a legacy site that existed in, and contaminated, residential neighbourhoods before the public knew better and before stringent safety guidelines (written to balance industry needs with public safety) existed.

This is the perfect opportunity for our local, provincial and federal politicians to step up and demonstrate that they put public health first. It is also a great time for trustees from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board to make their voices regarding Safe, Caring and Restorative Schools heard. I doubt any Peterborough politician or trustee wants to see children playing on an irradiated playground. Drew Ginter, Peterborough