Lawyers spar over what constitutes nuclear mine waste in Elliot Lake, Ont.
CTV
A federal court hearing Wednesday saw lawyers for Elliot Lake homeowners and the Attorney General of Canada argue over the definition of nuclear mine waste.
A federal court hearing Wednesday saw lawyers for Elliot Lake homeowners and the Attorney General of Canada argue over the definition of nuclear mine waste.
At issue are high levels of radon found in three homes in Elliot Lake, levels that far exceed safety guidelines for human health.
One resident involved in the case, Jennifer Carling, and her husband bought a house in the community and relocated from Toronto.
The couple was aware that naturally occurring radon levels were higher in Elliot Lake, which used to be home to a uranium mine.
But they were shocked when they had their property tested and it came back with a reading of 858.7 Becquerels per cubic metre, which is a measure of radioactivity.
Health Canada's guideline for radon exposure is only 200 Bq/m³. Another home involved in the case tested at 724.3 and another at 468.2.
The homeowners appealed to the Canada Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to inspect their homes and order BHP, which now owns the former Rio Aglom mine, to remove the waste rock.
