CNSC response to the article entitled ''Une question de santé – Dix bonnes raisons de dire non à Gentilly-2'' published in Le Devoir on May 31, 2010

In response to the article “Une question de santé – Dix bonnes raisons de dire non à Gentilly-2” published in Le Devoir on Monday, May 31, 2010, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) would like to point out some inaccuracies that could mislead or confuse people.

One would expect a professor from the prestigious Université de Montréal to rely on science and fact, rather than to play to the gallery with his clearly prejudiced anti-nuclear positions. He is misleading the Quebec public about the safety of nuclear energy. These are the facts:

• There is no evidence that people living near a nuclear power plant run a greater risk of contracting a disease, including childhood leukemia. Radiation protection practices are in place to protect workers and the public.

• The tritium levels in the drinking water of communities near nuclear power plants do not pose health risks. The tritium levels in the drinking water of these communities are well below the national and international standards, and are also below the 20 Bq/L limit proposed by the Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council.

• For over 30 years, CANDU reactors have been operating safely in Canada. They pose no major risk for the health and safety of Canadians or for the environment. The CNSC, in collaboration with the nuclear sector, continues to carry out and update research to better understand the potential challenges posed by nuclear power plants that are in operation or that are being refurbished, as well as new plants. 

• All used nuclear fuel in Canada is currently held in safe, secure and environmentally sound storage facilities. These interim facilities are designed to last up to 100 years and are regularly maintained, upgraded or replaced.   

The CNSC goes to great lengths to fulfill its mandate of protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment. The CNSC would never grant a licence unless a facility had been proven to be safe.

Michael Binder
President
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission