(PETERBOROUGH, ON – August 13, 2021) – BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (BWXT), a subsidiary of BWXT Canada Ltd., will be conducting soil sampling for the presence of beryllium and uranium at several sites in Peterborough, including the Prince of Wales Public School across from its facility on Monaghan Road on August 25.

Uranium is a naturally occurring, weakly radioactive element which is present at low levels in the environment and occurs naturally in soil and rocks, the water we drink and air we breathe. Because uranium is a naturally-occurring, low-level radioactive material that exists virtually everywhere, it contributes to what is called “natural background radiation.” BWXT’s facility in Peterborough assembles fuel bundles for CANDU® reactors using natural uranium dioxide pellets from BWXT’s Toronto facility, which are inserted into tubes creating the fuel bundle. 

Beryllium is a lightweight but strong metal found in the earth’s crust and can be found in everything from cell phones and airbag sensors to aircraft and pacemakers. Beryllium is used in small amounts at BWXT’s Peterborough operations to join portions of the fuel bundle together. Its use is controlled by a robust program that protects the health and safety of employees, the public and the environment.

In the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) Record of Decision on BWXT’s licence renewal which was issued on December 18, 2020, the Commission requested BWXT complete annual soil sampling for the presence of uranium and beryllium in Peterborough. In 2020, BWXT completed soil sampling for the presence of beryllium. All results were well below the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment’s (CCME) guidelines for the protection of environmental health and human health.

The 2021 soil sampling results are expected to be complete by the end of the year.

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About BWXT Canada Ltd.

BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT Canada) has over 60 years of expertise and experience in the design, manufacturing, commissioning and service of nuclear power generation equipment. This includes steam generators, nuclear fuel and fuel components, critical plant components, parts and related plant services. BWXT Canada’s sister company, BWXT Medical Ltd. (BWXT Medical) provides its customers, who conduct life-saving medical procedures for patients around the world, the benefit of decades of experience in the development, manufacturing, packaging and delivery of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, BWXT in Canada has approximately 1,500 employees at locations in Cambridge, Dundas, Peterborough, Toronto, Arnprior, Pickering, Port Elgin, Owen Sound, Kanata and Oakville, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. BWXT Canada is a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT). Follow us on Twitter @BWXTech and learn more at  www.bwxt.com.

Media Contact                                                             

Natalie Cutler
Director, Communications, BWXT Canada Ltd.
519-620-5288
nacutler@bwxt.com