Is uranium continuing to accumulate in Port Hope soil?
A30. Recent measurements do not indicate any accumulation of uranium in Port Hope soil. Current concentrations of uranium in soil observed at locations expected to be exposed to the highest air concentrations of uranium in Port Hope are below the values measured in previous studies. Median level of uranium soil concentrations is 3.1 mg/kg, which is within the range of the Ontario background concentrations for uranium. Cameco’s soil model predicts that uranium soil concentrations could increase in surface soils at a rate of around 0.2 mg/kg per year at the locations with the highest expected deposition from the air. However, the CNSC believes that Cameco’s forecasted results are somewhat high (as they are based on highly conservative estimates of both air concentrations and uranium deposition rates). CNSC staff has estimated that operation of Cameco’s PHCF will not result in accumulation of uranium at such locations to levels that would be a concern for human health or the environment,
Related Questions
- Uranium soil concentrations at some public properties in Port Hope exceed the levels considered safe by the Canadian Council Ministers of the Environment. Are these soil concentrations hazardous?
- What are the current guidelines/standards for uranium in air, water and soil?
- What are the estimated daily intakes of uranium in Port Hope?
