Radionuclide Results in for Schools

NOTE: The results for 13 out of 184 schools in the province on private water supplies can be found at the end of this release. Three members of the Special Water Advisory Group -- Pat Wall, Department of Environment and Labour; Dr. Robert Strang, Department of Health; and Gerald Muise, Department of Education -

• will be available to respond to media enquiries and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today, June 5, by calling the departmental contacts listed at the end of the release.

Nova Scotia released the first set of complete test results for natural radionuclides in school drinking water today, June 5. Of 184 school wells that have been tested, most continue to meet the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. Twelve schools have average yearly levels of lead-210 that exceed the guidelines. Two of the 12 also exceed the guideline for uranium.

Dr. Robert Strang, medical officer of health for the Capital Health District, said the drinking water at the schools that exceed the average yearly lead-210 and uranium guidelines will have to be treated or bottled water will have to remain available.

"We know that a health risk only exists if there is long-term exposure from drinking the water on a continuing basis over a lifetime," said Dr. Strang. "However, since we now know that the water in these schools does exceed the guidelines, they will need to remain on bottled water until research into treatment options is complete."

Radionuclides are naturally occurring elements that enter water as a result of the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. Nova Scotia has tested for 14 natural radionuclides in drinking water and found that only two, uranium and lead-210, are of significance in the province. Water supplies must undergo a series of four tests in a year to determine the average level of lead-210 because of seasonal variations that affect test results.

"Nova Scotia has become a leader in investigating radionuclides in drinking water and in confirming the available research information into the various treatment options," said Pat Wall, senior radiation health officer for the province and chair of the Special Water Advisory Group. "The rest of the country is watching our efforts and awaiting our findings. We remain committed to sharing these results and finding the best treatment solutions."

Eighty-eight schools of the 184 that were tested show a limit of lead-210 that was detectable but below the Health Canada guidelines. These schools are undergoing further testing as a precaution. Another eight schools with limits above the guidelines are still being tested. School boards will continue to supply bottled water to all schools still being tested.

"It's important to remember that there is no health risk from continuing to drink the water from schools and other sources during the period of investigation," said Dr. Strang. "Schools that have one sample that exceeded the guidelines have chosen to provide bottled water for their staff and students until testing is complete. This is an option for anyone concerned about radionuclides in their drinking water."

The school tests are part of a broader initiative to develop comprehensive source water protection strategies. A recent audit of all 82 municipal water supplies showed that only two small supplies exceeded the Canadian guidelines for lead-210 and uranium. Both are following the provincial protocols to manage the situation. The province is now expanding its work to audit public registered supplies near the affected schools.

The Department of Environment and Labour has set up a toll-free number to answer questions about natural radionuclides in well water. The number, which operates between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., from Monday to Friday, is 1-877-9ENVIRO (1-877-936-8476).

NOTE: Below is a list of the 13 schools in the province on their own water supplies whose drinking water has been tested in four different seasons for lead-210 and/or uranium.

The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality set these limits for lead-210 and uranium:

Uranium: 20 micrograms (ug/L) per litre
Lead-210: 0.1 Bequerels (Bq/L) per litre

Uranium/ug/L Lead-210/Bq/L

Halifax Regional School Board

St. Margaret's Bay Elementary (P3) 2.54 0.23 Atlantic Memorial-Terence Bay 2.20 0.39 Brookside Junior High School 0.58 0.27 East St. Margaret's 23.75 0.45 Harrietsfield Elementary 66.50 0.27 Herring Cove Jr. High 4.38 0.20 Sir John A MacDonald 5.53 0.22 Tantallon Junior High School 5.46 0.40 Terence Bay School 13.50 0.61 William King Elementary School 19.25 0.36 Prospect Road Elementary 2.38 0.40

Southwest Regional School Board

Big Tancook Elementary School 0.78 0.19 New Ross Consolidated School* 5.18 0.07

• Below Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines