On Feb. 2, 2023 a shipment from Bruce Power contained tritium above the unconditional release clearance levels established by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen and the unconditional release clearance is established for the ‘free-release’ of material, without requiring the assessment of the effective dose consequence. More information on the clearance levels for radiological materials can be found here.
Bruce Power notified the appropriate regulatory agencies and the receiving organization and, following discovery, performed an assessment of effective dose and determined it was approximately 0.00001 millisieverts. In Canada, the dose limit to the public as a result of nuclear plant operations is one millisievert (1/1000 of a sievert) in one calendar year. Regular reporting and monitoring by Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, demonstrates the average annual effective doses to the public range from 0.001 to 0.002 millisieverts per year.
The radiological dose calculated from handling the shipped material would have no measurable effect on workers or the public and is much less than a person would receive by eating one banana, having a dental x-ray or flying across Canada. Any exceedance of a regulatory limit at Bruce Power is taken seriously, and an investigation to determine the cause of the event is underway and once complete, steps will be taken to implement the appropriate corrective actions.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
