Tritium

I have done extensive research on the issue of radioactive tritium pollution released from the Shield Source Inc. facility, which is located at the Peterborough Airport. I believe this is relevant to the proposal to develop the Fraserville area, as well it is a major concern regarding water quality in Cavan Monaghan Township and beyond.

Tritium is radioactive hydrogen and is released continuously in massive amounts as part of routine operations at Shield Source. Tritium combines with oxygen in the environment to create radioactive water. Once inside the body it delivers an internal dose of beta radiation that can result in genetic damage, birth defects and cancer. Any exposure increases the risk of health effects.

Tritium occurs naturally at the level of one radioactive disintegration per second, per liter, in fresh water. Scientifically this is described as one Becquerel per liter (Bq/L). Releases from Shield Source have dramatically elevated tritium concentrations at and around the airport. In 2007 tritium in soil near the Shield Source stack reached 1.5 million Bq/L and continually averages in the several hundred thousands of Bq/L. In 2008 apples sampled 220 meters away measured 5540 Bq/L. Water samples 170 meters away averaged 1904 Bq/L with a max of 2980 Bq/L. Sixteen kilometers downwind tritium levels in water were found to average 65 Bq/L in 2008. Tap water at the airport was measured at an average 55 Bq/L. (2008) . Any reading above about 1 Bq/L is man made. In our location, any reading above 5-6 Bq/L is above and beyond releases from nuclear stations and is attributed to tritium released from Shield Source Inc.

Ontario's newly proposed guideline for tritium in drinking water is an annual average of 20 Bq/L. If this proposal is adopted by the provincial government then the water at the Peterborough Airport could be the first test case for the new guideline.

Tritium can not be filtered out of a water supply. It literally becomes the "H" in H20. According to official documents, at a tritium sampling site designated as W15, (at Fraserville access to Otonabee River, 2500 meters south of the Shield Source Inc. stack), tritium levels averaged 50 Becquerels per liter in 2007. Maximum readings in 2004 were 2768 Becquerels per liter. Also, at the sampling site designated as W9 (Cavan Creek, 1500 meters southwest of the Shield Source stack) tritium levels averaged 82 Becquerels per liter in 2007.

One of many tritium concerns I have is the impact of tritium fallout on the proposed water reservoir for the development in Fraserville. Tritium must be considered in any decision regarding water supply in Cavan Monaghan and for communities downwind and downstream from the Peterborough Airport.