Is Uranium Contamination Killing a Picturesque Ontario Town? Posted: 1 year ago by tundramonkey
The residents of Port Hope, Ontario want the federal government to conduct an investigation into the extent (or existance) of uranium contamination in their town, which is home to a uranium refinery, after an independant nuclear
The actual study is here.
Comments: 1 Score: [-] 119 [+].

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Posted: 1 year ago by tundramonkey:
I would like to point out that the concentration of uranium in the urine of these individuals is measured in ng/L; whereas both Health Canada and the WHO state that the acceptable concentration of U in drinking water is 15 ug/L. This means the levels of uranium measured in this urine is over 1000 times less than what is safe to drink.

I'd also like to point out that it is stated several times that 'the study has been reviewed by scientists', but it is never stated by whom. Passing this study by, say, a zoologist (who is a scientist) wouldn't really mean anything. As well, it is mentioned that the researchers discovered one of the 'controls' had visited the region prior to the study. This is, IMO, an invalid control and should not be used.

While I would support an investigation into determining whether the industry has an impact on the health of residents, I do not think it should be restricted to this region of Ontario. Port Hope is on the shores of Lake Ontario, which is quite heavily polluted, and I doubt this does not have any impact on resident's health. A study would have to examine individuals from the entire region, not just Port Hope. I would like to see all of Ontario included; I'm confident any anomalous data from Port Hope would pale in comparison to that from Sudbury (where the solution to pollution is dilution). I'd eat a cake made of yellowcake before inhaling smelter fumes all day.

If the industry is being irresponsible and workers are being exposed to unsafe amounts of contaminants (though I'll admit I highly doubt this is the case), then I would fully support any actions against those responsible. I do, however, think that this study is a bit shaky and has more finger-pointing than solid facts presented in an unbiased manner. This sort of thing really irks me.
Score: [-] 50 [+].
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