BWXT licensing decision coming soon

In a few days, Peterborough will receive more very bad news about BWXT.

Recently, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) released data showing rising beryllium levels in the soil throughout the city. BWXT denies any responsibility for these toxic emissions.

The CNSC is federally mandated to regulate nuclear safety standards, but chooses to do nothing about increasing levels of beryllium contamination.

Now, just before Christmas, the CNSC will be announcing its decision about the BWXT license renewal application.

I fully expect and fear that the CNSC will grant BWXT a 10-year renewal of its license to assemble nuclear fuel bundles at their Monaghan Road factory. In its entire history as regulator of nuclear activity in Canada, the CNSC has never denied or abridged a licence application. The CNSC is more like a “nuclear cheerleader” than an objective protector of public health and safety.

The fuel-bundling process at BWXT uses beryllium and that is the only known source of beryllium in Peterborough. Beryllium is an insoluble metal, but is so lightweight that emissions can travel on the wind for at least two kilometres from the three stacks along Monaghan Road.

So, Peterborough is facing the very real threat that, for the next 10 years, the entire city core will be subjected to more beryllium emissions. This highly toxic carcinogen will poison our soil and threaten our health. And that is just the first part of the imminent bad news.

BWXT also applied to move their pelleting operation from Toronto to Peterborough. For many years, the residents around the Toronto BWXT factory, along with their municipal and provincial representatives, have demanded that the BWXT factory be moved out of their neighbourhood.

Pellets are made from uranium dioxide, another carcinogen, and the production process creates a lot of “dust” which is emitted into the surrounding area. Pelleting in Peterborough will deposit a second layer of toxic contamination over a large area around the factory.

Beryllium and uranium dioxide will be emitted, year after year. They will remain in the ground and in our bodies for many, many years. And that is very bad news indeed.

Kathryn Campbell, Bolivar Street

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