Concentrations Of Uranium In Port Hope, Ontario - Statement By Health Canada

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Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: Public Health;  Urology / Nephrology;  Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 08 Dec 2007 - 13:00 PDT

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According to Health Canada, the refinement of uranium has been taking place in Port Hope, Ontario, since the beginning of the 1930s. This year, the PHCHCC (Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee) analyzed samples that had been taken from local residents to find out what the radiation exposures in the area might be.

Health Canada says their studies indicate that the 9 Port Hope residents' uranium concentrations are within the range of natural levels and pose no hazard to human health.

Health Canada says it continues to monitor uranium in the environment as well as in workers who reside in the Port Hope area. It stresses that all concentration measurements are well within the natural range values that exist in other in Canadian communities.

A side effect of uranium exposure can be kidney damage, but only if the person is exposed to high concentrations - concentrations that would have to be "hundreds to thousands times greater than the low levels found to date in Port Hope."

The Government of Canada started a decade-long $260 million initiative in 2001 to develop a long-term management solution for the Port Hope situation. The initiative is being managed by The Low Level Radioactive Waste Management Office of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

Health Canada says its officials will review the full report form the Committee when they get it and will keep on working to protect the health and safety of Port Hope residents.

Health Canada

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
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