Preparing for the Unthinkable

You may have been one of the many cell phone users who received a false alarm cell phone alert in mid-January about a possible emergency at the Pickering nuclear power station.

While it seems the false alarm was the result of human error, it reminded citizens and authorities about the real if remote possibility of a nuclear accident.

The Pickering reactor is one of the oldest and largest nuclear power stations in the world.  Opened in 1971, it produces 14% of Ontario’s energy.  Located on the Pickering waterfront, the facility features six operating CANDU reactors. It was scheduled to close in 2018, but after an extensive public review, its operating licence was extended and closure is now expected in 2024.

Residents of Cavan-Monaghan live closer to the Darlington nuclear plant.  Twenty years younger, this plant features more modern technology.  It is reportedly one of the top performing nuclear stations in the world and produces almost 20% of the province’s electricity through four nuclear reactors.  In 2016, a ten-year refurbishment program began which is expected to extend the life of the plant to 2055.   Core reactor components are being replaced and system upgrades are being implemented to meet current safety requirements.  Nuclear power is considered clean energy, and this refurbishment is projected to prevent almost 300 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emission during Darlington’s extended period of operation.

CANDU reactors operating in provincial nuclear power facilities in Canada have a great reputation worldwide.  Expert staff in our plants are well-trained and operate in a climate where safety is a top priority.  Living within commuting distance of the facility, employees have their own vested interests in keeping facilities safe.

Nuclear facilities are monitored closely by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).  While the risk of an event that strains the reactors beyond their design capacity is minimal, emergency planning to address this possibility continue to evolve.

In the highly unlikely event of a nuclear emergency, the most likely scenario is that any emissions will be contained until they can be safely filtered and vented, ideally over Lake Ontario. In the very unlikely scenario where safety measures fail and there is an emission of radioactive gases, residents impacted by the plume may be exposed to radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide pills are used to protect exposed individuals in this situation.

Potassium iodide (KI) is a stable, essential nutrient when consumed in small quantities.  With a shelf life of twelve years, KI pills block the uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid, protecting the thyroid gland which is most vulnerable to a potential nuclear emission.  They are most effective if taken immediately before or soon after exposure, so it is important that the pills are readily available.  These pills would be used only under the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and can prevent thyroid damage that can result from radiation exposure.   Those at risk are young children, adolescents and pregnant and nursing women.

Currently, all homes and business within a 10 km radius of Durham’s nuclear power stations are supplied with potassium iodide pills.  Residents within 50 km of either facility qualify for free KI pill delivery to their homes.  Most residences and businesses in our community are located within 50 km of the Darlington station and can order free pills online through the website www.preparetobesafe.ca.

Our local Medical Officer of Public Health, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, is currently engaged in a working group convened by the CNSC to ensure that local high risk groups have appropriate access to KI pills, and she has indicated that a report pertaining to our nuclear emergency response preparation will be released soon.

To learn more about nuclear safety, visit the website www.preparetobesafe.ca, co-managed by Ontario Power Generation and Durham region.

Thanks to Drs. Maureen McDonald and Rosana Salvaterra for their assistance in the preparation of this article.  Dr. Salvaterra plans to share local nuclear emergency plans at a future Cavan Monaghan Council meeting. KG

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