Fun With Numbers (Part 1)
Sometimes the way information is presented says a lot about what the presenter is trying to hide. Take the CNSC’s October 30th report as an example. In this report, the CNSC tries very hard to show that there is no increase in beryllium levels in Peterborough, despite another year of data indicating the contrary.
Here’s the data from the CNSC October 30 report as plotted by the CNSC;
By graphing in this manner, the CNSC has chosen to magnify their newly found statistical errors and to HIDE THE TRENDS in the data.
These are the same trends that Peterborough residents are concerned about - because they show the possibility of airborne beryllium from the BWXT plant being deposited in the neighbourhood of this plant.
Here’s the same data (without showing error bars) plotted to SHOW THE TRENDS between 2014 and 2020;
The reason why the CNSC is monitoring the soil in Peterborough is to look for upward trends in soil beryllium levels. This is what the CNSC is obligated to do in its capacity as regulator. After further testing in the summer of 2020 the trend continues to show increasing beryllium levels in soil. The emissions from the Peterborough plant are definitely NOT “well characterized” and they may NOT be “well controlled”. They indicate that BWXT’s operations may NOT be “protective of the environment”, contrary to CNSC staff claims and in opposition to their rationale for approving the manufacture of radioactive nuclear fuel pellets in Peterborough.
We believe that further analysis is warranted. The proximity of this facility to a school and residential housing is without international precedent. We believe that the highest standards of safety must be maintained. Increases in soil Beryllium levels MUST be explained!
We also believe that the beryllium issue underscores the reason why pelleting should not be allowed 25 metres from the junior playground of a public school. It is irresponsible and in contravention of safety standards set (but not upheld) by the International Atomic Energy Agency - a United Nations Agency established to promote safe practices in the application of nuclear technologies.
The three beryllium stacks at BWXT’s Peterborough plant - only a few metres from the playground of Prince of Wales School. CNSC staff recommended that this plant be allowed to manufacture nuclear fuel pellets after failing to assess their own data for trends. These trends indicated potentially dangerous increases in soil beryllium between the years 2014 and 2019. Further sampling and analysis in 2020 shows increases in beryllium that a group of Trent professors argues is statistically significant and warranting the concern of Peterborough residents.