Radiation Protection Practices and Environmental Stewardship: Insights from the Port Hope Area Initiative

The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is one of Canada’s largest environmental cleanup projects, focused on safely managing historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) while prioritizing radiation protection and environmental responsibility. This presentation will explore the key radiation protection (RP) practices used in the project and share insights on how these measures help balance worker safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.

PHAI has implemented a comprehensive Radiation Protection Program (RPP) to protect workers, the public, and the surrounding environment while performing a challenging radiological remediation of sites and private residential properties in the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington. This includes radiation and dose monitoring, Air monitoring and contamination control measures at critical sites like the Port Hope Long-Term Waste Management Facility (PH LTWMF). By following ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles, the project ensures that radiation exposure is minimized while meeting Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulations.

Beyond radiation protection, this presentation will highlight how environmental stewardship is embedded in PHAI operations. Careful waste characterization, engineered containment, and adaptive remediation management strategies help minimize environmental impact. Ongoing collaboration with regulators, stakeholders, and the local community has also been key in maintaining transparency and public trust.

The lessons learned from PHAI provide valuable takeaways for other large-scale environmental remediation projects. By integrating strong radiation protection measures with responsible environmental management, the initiative demonstrates how complex cleanup efforts can be handled safely, efficiently, and sustainably.