NRU Status Report

Chalk River, 2009 February 23 — The following information bulletin is in accordance with AECL’s commitment to enhance its voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) reports that routine monitoring has detected small amounts of heavy water containing tritium within the NRU reactor building’s ventilation system. The vapour losses are well below regulatory limits and reportable levels, and pose no threat to the public or the environment. 

The detection of a small amount of tritium in the ventilation system indicates the possibility of a small leak of heavy water within the reactor facility. Tritium is easily detected at very low concentrations thus providing an early indication of even very small leaks.

Investigations indicate the source of the small heavy water loss to be associated with a section of 2.5" diameter pipe within one of the reactor’s heavy water purification circuits.  The section of pipe has been isolated and leak collection measures are in place.  System repairs can be safely scheduled and completed without impacting isotope production.

“In the spirit of proactive disclosure, we are informing our stakeholders of this occurrence,” said AECL’s Senior Vice-President and Chief Nuclear Officer Bill Pilkington. “We want to reassure the public that AECL places the highest priority on the health and safety of its workers, the Canadian public, and on protecting the environment.”

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Media Contact:

Robin Forbes
Manager, External Communications
AECL
Telephone: 905-823-9040, ext. 35853