Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Chalk River Laboratories
| Site name | Chalk River Laboratories |
|---|---|
| Licensee | Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) |
| Facility name | Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) |
| Facility location | Chalk River, Ontario |
| Land acknowledgement | The CNSC acknowledges that Chalk River Laboratories is located within the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg peoples. |
| Facility description | CRL operates under a single CNSC licence that includes Class I and Class II nuclear facilities, waste management areas, radioisotope laboratories, support facilities and offices. |
| Environmental protection requirements | In accordance with regulatory requirements under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, all Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills licensees must maintain a comprehensive environmental protection program to monitor and control nuclear and hazardous substances released from the facilities they own and operate. As part of every licensee’s environmental protection program, concentrations of contaminants in the environment must be determined and the potential exposure pathways to the public must be assessed and mitigated. |
Our IEMP results from 2025, 2022, 2019, 2015, 2013, and 2012 are consistent with the results submitted by CNL, supporting our assessment that the licensee’s environmental protection program is effective. The results add to the body of evidence that people and the environment in the vicinity of CRL are protected and that there are no anticipated health impacts from the operation of the facilities on the site.
Interactive Map
View the IEMP’s interactive map.
Results
2025
The 2025 IEMP sampling plan for CRL focused on radioactive substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on the licensee’s approved environmental monitoring program and our regulatory experience with the site. We endeavour to incorporate traditional Indigenous land use, values and knowledge by engaging with Indigenous Nations and communities on the sampling plan. More information on this engagement is provided in the “Indigenous Nations and communities’ participation” section.
In September and October 2025, our staff collected air, water, soil, sediment, sand, vegetation, food samples in publicly accessible areas outside the facility perimeter.
The levels of radioactivity measured in soil, sediment, and in water were below available guidelines and our own screening levels. Our screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year (one-tenth of the regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv/year). For samples where no guidelines or screening levels exist, results were compared to reference samples. Measurements conducted by the IEMP to date have consistently found levels of radioactivity in the environment to be low, and well within the range of natural background radiation levels. As a result, no effects on human health are expected.
2022
The 2022 IEMP sampling plan for the Chalk River Laboratories focused on radioactive substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on the licensee’s approved environmental monitoring program and CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. We endeavor to incorporate traditional Indigenous land use, values and knowledge by engaging with Indigenous Nations and communities on the sampling plan. More information on this engagement is provided in the “Indigenous Nations and Communities’ Participation” section.
In September 2022, we collected air, water, soil, sediment, sand, vegetation and food samples in publicly accessible areas outside the facility perimeter.
The levels of radioactivity measured in soil, sediment and water were below the available guidelines and CNSC screening levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv per year (one-tenth of the regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv per year). For samples where no guidelines or screening levels exist, results were compared to reference Footnote 1 samples. Measurements conducted by the IEMP to date have consistently found levels of radioactivity in the environment to be low, and well within the range of natural background radiation levels. As a result, no effects on human health are expected.
2019
The 2019 IEMP sampling plan for the CRL site focused on both radioactive (nuclear) and hazardous contaminants. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on CNL’s environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In 2019, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the CRL site perimeter and included air, water, soil, beach sand, wild vegetation, grass, and food such as goat, radishes, kale, tomatoes and cucumbers.
The concentrations of radioactive contaminants measured in air, beach sand, food, soil, vegetation and water were below CNSC screening levels and within the range of expected natural background levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.
Similar to previous years’ results, the concentration of iron (Fe) in the water sample (CR09-W05) exceeded the CCME’s Canadian water quality guidelines (300 ug/L), but remained within the range of natural background levels (100–2170 µg/L). It should be noted that the CCME value for iron is based on objectionable water taste, and staining of plumbing and laundry, as opposed to health concerns. The IEMP data with elevated levels of iron occurred in Black Duck Lake, adjacent to Deep River. These results are not reflective of activities at the CRL site, and are deemed to be associated with natural concentrations, as elevated levels of iron are characteristic of this type of water body (swamp) or other local activities such as those that used to take place on the nearby trail, which was historically a railway track.
The IEMP results for calcium (8.6 mg/L) reported at CR09-W05 are well below the water hardness background level (41 mg/L) reported by CNL. Furthermore, the IEMP results for uranium in beach sand (0.33–0.62 mg/kg) were comparable to the range of values obtained at the reference site upstream beaches in Deep River and Cook’s Cove. The measured uranium concentrations in beach sand are indistinguishable from background levels and do not pose any added risks to human health or the environment.
2015, 2013, and 2012
IEMP sampling at the CRL site for 2012, 2013 and 2015 focused on both radioactive (nuclear) and hazardous substances. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on CNL’s environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In 2015, 2013, and 2012, samples were collected in publicly accessible areas outside the CNL perimeter fence and included samples of air, beach sand, food, sediment, soil, vegetation and water.
The concentrations of radioactive contaminants measured in air, beach sand, foodstuffs, soil, vegetation and water were below CNSC screening levels and within natural background levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.
The concentration of hazardous contaminants in air, beach sand, sediment, soil and water were, in general, below or close to the CCME’s guidelines and the natural background levels. No health or environmental impacts are expected at these levels.
Indigenous Nations and communities’ participation
We have made it a priority to ensure that IEMP sampling reflects Indigenous knowledge, land use and values, where possible. In addition to routine IEMP sampling activities, we seek input from local Indigenous Nations and communities on IEMP sampling plans. In advance of the 2025 campaign around CRL, our staff notified Indigenous Nations and communities near the facilities of the planned sampling, sought their input on the sampling plan and invited them to join our staff in the field for sampling activities.
Algonquins of Ontario (AOO)
AOO provided feedback on the 2025 Chalk River sampling plan in August, including suggested locations to undertake water sampling in areas regularly used by locals and AOO community members and falling within its settlement area boundary. In September, the IEMP team and AOO members took water samples together while spending a day on the boat on the Ottawa River, launching from Petawawa Point and visiting the culturally significant Oiseau Rock.
On October 20, 2025, AOO staff joined our field team to collect samples. The day’s activities included an introduction to our inspector working at the CRL site office, along with water sampling at various locations along the Ottawa and Muskrat Rivers in Petawawa and Pembroke and sand sampling at Petawawa Point. Our staff explained the IEMP program and chain-of-custody procedures for the collected samples and offered the possibility of scheduling a CNSC lab tour at a future date. AOO was active in the sampling process and was well-prepared and engaged despite poor weather conditions.
During the sampling day, AOO invited our team to visit the AOO office in Pembroke, where they ate lunch together, fostering continued partnership and dialogue.
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN)
AOPFN provided feedback on the 2025 Chalk River sampling plan throughout spring and summer 2025, as well as while walking the land with the field team in September of 2025. The feedback was about species and locations of interest for sampling. AOPFN joined our field team to collect samples (sand, water, soil, vegetation, and traditional medicines). Our staff explained the program and chain-of-custody procedures for the collected samples and walked AOPFN through the air sampling process and equipment. AOPFN was active in the sampling process and was well-prepared and engaged despite weather conditions
Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO)
The MNO provided feedback on the 2025 Chalk River sampling plan throughout spring and summer 2025. Their comments and insights related to species and locations of interest for sampling. The MNO joined the field team to collect samples of sand, water, soil, and vegetation. Our staff explained the program and chain-of-custody procedures for the collected samples to the MNO, and walked the MNO through the air sampling process and equipment.
Kebaowek First Nation
We notified Kebaowek First Nation about the Chalk River sampling campaign in January 2025 and Kebaowek confirmed their interest in participating. Prior to the campaign, our staff met with Kebaowek’s environmental technician to provide an overview of the program’s purpose and the logistics of the day in the field. Kebaowek joined our staff in Deep River for the final day of the 2025 Chalk River IEMP campaign. Our field staff opened the day with a safety briefing and a walkthrough of sampling practices including chain-of-custody procedures, air sampling instruments, and the lab analysis. Kebaowek then assisted in a demonstrative water sample, after which the group travelled to Killaloe, Ontario, to gather reference samples. Kebaowek representatives assisted in identifying tree species, and helped sample soil, cattail roots, ash, spruce and cedar. Kebaowek representatives expressed interest in learning more about the lab analysis, and our staff offered a tour of the facility as a potential relationship-building opportunity.
CNSC and Kebaowek First Nation finished the field day by discussing options to share the results with the community, and if there was any feedback on the IEMP to reach out directly.
Focus on health
Chalk River lies within Renfrew County. Renfrew County and District Health Unit, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), and Public Health Ontario monitor the health of populations around the CRL site.
We review the results of public health reports and data, international publications, and at times conduct our own health studies to provide additional confidence that the health of people living near CRL is protected.
In 2013, we conducted a study on the health of people in Ontario living near nuclear power plants (Pickering, Darlington and Bruce). The study found that the incidence rates of all cancers for all age groups, including childhood leukemia, were similar to the rest of Ontario. In addition, in 2013, CCO published a study on tritium and cancer risk in Pickering and found that tritium emissions from the routine operation of the Pickering site were not associated with an increased risk of developing radiation-sensitive cancers, including leukemia, lung, thyroid and childhood cancers. These findings are consistent with research studies conducted around nuclear facilities in other countries (i.e., the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Finland). The body of evidence demonstrates that people who live near nuclear facilities, such as the CRL site, are as healthy as the rest of the general Canadian population.
We have not observed and do not expect to observe any adverse health outcomes related to the presence of CRL. This conclusion is based on current levels of radionuclides in the environment; exposures to people living in the area; current scientific knowledge about the sources, effects, and risks of ionizing radiation; and relevant local, provincial, and federal health data,.
For additional information, please visit the following websites:
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit – Reports
- Cancer Care Ontario – Ontario Cancer Profiles
- Cancer Care Ontario – Cancer in First Nations People in Ontario
- Public Health Ontario – Snapshots / Public health indicator dashboards
- CNSC health studies – list of relevant CNSC, national and international studies
- RADICON – CNSC study on radiation exposure and cancer incidence around nuclear power plants in Ontario
- Cancer risk and tritium – Cancer Care Ontario study on tritium exposure and cancer risk in Pickering
Conclusions
Our IEMP 2025, 2022, 2019, 2015, 2013, and 2012 results are consistent with the results submitted by CNL, supporting our assessment that the licensee’s environmental protection program is effective. The results add to the body of evidence that people and the environment in the vicinity of CRL are protected and that there are no anticipated health impacts from the operation of the facilities on the site.
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