Environmental Management

Nordion is ISO 14001:2015 certified. This certification is an internationally recognized standard which specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) and for controlling and improving a company’s environmental performance. Currently, our Ottawa site is certified against ISO 14001:2015.

Certification of our EMS provides assurance to our customers, regulators, and the community that we have a sound EMS and sound operating practices that meet stringent requirements acceptable to international standards.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

We continually monitor gamma exposure at the perimeter of our facility.

Groundwater Monitoring

Nordion conducts groundwater sampling for both non-radioactive and radioactive contaminants. Since 2005, Nordion has been monitoring groundwater at least once a year for non-radioactive contaminants such as ammonia, nitrate, dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved solids, Iron, and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons.

Soil Sampling

Nordion conducts soil sampling annually to determine radiological materials in the soil. During the routine soil sampling, we have not identified nuclear substances attributable to Nordion’s operations.

Environmental Monitoring

Nordion’s effluent and environmental monitoring programs are used to verify that releases of hazardous substances do not result in environmental concentrations that may affect public health. The results of these programs confirm that the health and safety of the public are protected from exposures to hazardous substances released from the facility and that Nordion is taking adequate measures to protect the health and safety of the public.

Ten dosimeters were placed around the Ottawa campus—some in neighbouring homes—to measure if radiation doses above background levels have occurred. There have been no instances of exceeding regulatory limits.

To review Nordion’s Environmental Risk Assessment click here.