The purpose of a public pollutant release and transfer register such as the NPRI is transparency, responding to the principle of Community Right to Know, that is, the right of people to know what pollutants could potentially affect them so that they can make risk-informed decisions and take appropriate action – or demand appropriate action from facility operators and authorities – including in case of emergency.
Public reporting of radionuclide releases, and transfers presents an anomalous situation with respect to the regulatory framework for other toxic materials and Community Right to Know principles. This report, produced by MiningWatch Canada on behalf of the NGO members of the NPRI Multi-Stakeholder Working Group, examines issues associated with the reporting of radionuclides by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), using the Key Lake uranium mine and mill as a case study.