Four cancer studies have taken place in Bruce County over a 20 year period from 1979 to 1998, as indicated in the above chart. They show rates of Male Prostate and Female Colorectal cancers rose to approximately 35% to 40% above provincial averages in the 3rd five year study period, and then inexplicably dropped dramatically to between 5% and 20% above provincial averages in the 4th study.
Cancer Care Ontario, the body that gathers such statistics, says that rates in Bruce County are no cause for alarm and are "within the bounds of (statistical) chance". CCO collects statistics from all over Bruce County, but will not release the location of its survey samples because "the population base is so small that we could not insure confidentiality" to the client base. Thus it is not possible for anyone outside of Cancer Care Ontario to know the geographical location of the samples and, for example, whether sampling was conducted within 25 kms. of the Bruce facility or much further away, in the northern or eastern limits of Bruce County.
During the first 15 years of the study period, the Bruce nuclear site expanded considerably
(click here to see chronology) to include
Since the late 90's, the heavy water plant has closed, changes are being made to the incineration system and at this time (2002) only 4 Bruce B reactors are "on-line", although two more Bruce A reactors are expected to be brought back on line in 2003.
- eight production reactors/generators in addition to the original prototype unit, Douglas Point. a
- heavy water facility manufactured cooling fluid for the reactors.
- an incinerator burnt low-level radioactive materials (and gathered the dubious distinction of being one of the major producers of airborne dioxins in North America).
- and low and medium level radioactive waste storage areas were developed and enlarged.
Could there be a relationship between the facility and rates of cancers and childhood leukemia in Bruce County? Dr. David Hoel, internationally noted specialist in cancers related to radiation, thinks it is possible.
Dr. Hoel's affidavit (read the affidavit at this link in pdf format ), written for the Inverhuron and District Ratepayers' Association, questions the findings of agencies that have conducted studies in the Bruce region