Event reports

"In September 2022, we collected air, soil, and vegetation samples in publicly accessible areas outside the facility perimeter. The levels of radioactivity measured in air, soil and vegetation were below our own screening levels. Our screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv per year (one-tenth of the regulatory public dose limit of 1 mSv per year). Measurements conducted by the IEMP to date have consistently found levels of radioactivity in the environment to be low, and well within the range of natural background radiation levels. As a result, no effects on human health are expected."

TRIUMF will be participating in a scheduled CNSC license renewal hearing on March 23, 2022. To learn more about the license renewal process, click here. The link to the live March 23 hearing can be found here.

Following the license renewal process, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew, for a period of 10 years, the Class IB particle accelerator licence held by TRIUMF Accelerators Inc. (TAI). The Commission also announced its decision to transfer the renewed licence from TAI to TRIUMF Inc., a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The renewed and transferred licence authorizes TRIUMF Inc. to continue to operate 7 particle accelerators and to possess, transfer, use, and store nuclear substances arising from its operation, which support a diverse program of isotope science and the production of critical medical isotopes. More information can be found in the announcement here. 

On the week of September 23rd, the CNSC will be on site to sample collect samples of air, vegetation and soil around the TRIUMF site as part of the Commission’s Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP). This work is routine and not in response to any particular event or concern with respect to TRIUMF’s operations. Results from the last round of IEMP sampling at TRIUMF can be found here: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/maps-of-nuclear-facilities/iemp/triumf.cfm

On November 8, a small fire occurred in a non-radiological HVAC filtration unit located on the roof of the Service Annex of the main 520 MeV cyclotron building. The TRIUMF Driver Control Room Operators responded to the incident in accordance with laboratory plans and procedures; the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) responded shortly thereafter and extinguished the fire with no incident of injury, exposure to hazardous/radiological materials, or significant property damage to the facility. The HVAC unit was confirmed to be supplying heated air to the offices located in the Service Annex. The VFD inspector also concluded there to be no foul play associated with the incident. Preliminary investigations determined a likely cause to be the overheating of a system component used to provide heated air. TRIUMF continues to investigate to confirm the root cause of the fire. Once the investigation is complete, TRIUMF Environmental Health and Safety teams will determine an appropriate course of action. 

A small release of radioactivity occurred during medical isotope production on April 9, 2020. The impact to a member of the general public corresponded to less than 1/25,000 of the regulatory limit, or 1/7,000 of the dose received during the course of a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. TRIUMF has halted production and is investigating the incident to determine the root cause. Corrective actions will be taken before production can resume.  

The CNSC has released the results of the latest round of routine environmental sampling of air, soil, and vegetation done in the vicinity of TRIUMF as part of their Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP; please also see item 2019-07). The monitoring results show no evidence of radioactivity originating from TRIUMF operations in any of the samples. Further informationcan be found on the CNSC web site here: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/maps-of-nuclear-facilities/iemp/triumf.cfm

A small release of radioactivity occurred during medical isotope production on June 23, 2020. The impact to a member of the general public corresponded to approximately 1/1000 of the regulatory limit, or 1/300 of the dose received during the course of a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. TRIUMF has halted production and is investigating the incident to determine the root cause. Corrective actions will be taken before production can resume. 

Regular emissions monitoring in August found evidence of a low-level leak occurring intermittently across a period of several weeks. The impact to a member of the general public corresponded to approximately 1/25000 of the regulatory limit, or 1/7000 of the dose received during the course of a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. TRIUMF halted production to complete an investigation and the corrective action was completed.

Technical Experts from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) conducted a Type II Inspection at the facility from April 23^rd – 25^th, 2019. The CNSC will summarize the results of the inspection in a formal report and provide it to TRIUMF.

As part of a scheduled safety exercise, there will be an evacuation drill involving all on-site TRIUMF staff and visitors on the morning of September 10, 2019.

On the week of September 23^rd, the CNSC will be on site to sample collect samples of air, vegetation and soil around the TRIUMF site as part of the Commission’s Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP). This work is routine and not in response to any particular event or concern with respect to TRIUMF’s operations. Results from the last round of IEMP sampling at TRIUMF can be found here: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/maps-of-nuclear-facilities/iemp/triumf.cfm

Two small releases of radioactivity occurred in October during medical isotope production. Their combined impact to a member of the general public corresponded to less than 1/15,000 of the regulatory limit, or 1/5,000 of the dose received during the course of a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. TRIUMF investigated the incidents and implemented process improvements to address their root causes and prevent future releases of this type. 

On Dec 10th – 13th, 2019, technical experts from the CNSC conducted a routine inspection of TRIUMF pursuant to the facility’s operating license. The inspection focused on the operational performance of TRIUMF programs and facilities.

A  shielded container containing material used for medical isotope production was damaged by the freight carrier while in transit from TRIUMF.  No radiation was released.  A new container was procured and the package was conveyed to the intended destination. There was no hazard to personnel or the public.