Bruce Power invests $5-million in health research at NOSM

Thursday, Nov. 10, Bruce Power announced that it will provide $5-million in funding to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) to conduct health research in Northern Ontario, specifically in relation to radiation and the environment.

Bruce Power’s contributions to NOSM will consist of:
 

• A $5-million investment over the next five years to support the NOSM/Bruce Power Research Centre for Health, Environment, and Radiation.
• The renewal of the Bruce Power chairman of radiation and health at NOSM, which was established in 2013.
• The provision of a free, clean energy electric car charging station that is open and available to the public, as well as an electric car for conducting research. 

The $1-million in annual funding for five years will be used to continue research that has taken place during the first four years of the existence of the Bruce Power chairman of radiation and health, specifically:
 

• The impact of low-dose radiation on health.
• The environmental impacts of radiation and how they affect health.
• The effects of radiation and diagnostic imaging on fetal programming.
• The effect of radiation on specific species of fish.
• The impact of radiation on Indigenous communities.

“Our research looks at what happens to the body when we’re exposed to low doses of radiation,” said Dr. Doug Boreham, Bruce Power chairman of radiation and health at NOSM and manager of integration at Bruce Power. “We have found that, contrary to popular belief, low-dose radiation has a net positive effect on an organism’s health, leading to less cancer and longer life expectancy. Essentially, low doses of radiation stimulate repair systems and make organisms healthier, stimulating a similar effect on the body as exercise.”

In addition, the chairman will provide scientific oversight and direction for research associated with environmental and human impacts of the nuclear power industry. Having already invested more than $1-million into NOSM to date, the partnership between the school and Bruce Power will continue to foster better educational outreach in radiation and health and build a strong network of expertise to support the future scientific and health needs of Bruce Power, NOSM and Ontario.

As with all of NOSM’s research, these projects are being conducted in Northern Ontario, with a specific interest in the impact of these items on the people and communities of the North.

The provision of a clean energy vehicle and charging station provides a step toward more environmentally-friendly transportation in Northern Ontario. Electric vehicles produce 90 per cent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuel cars, leading to fewer environmental pollutants, which have a negative impact on health. The charging station that will be installed at the NOSM at Laurentian University will allow members of the public to charge their electric vehicles for free.

“On behalf of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, I’d like to extend my thanks to Bruce Power for its generous research funding,” said Dr. David Marsh, deputy dean and associate dean, community engagement at NOSM. “We can accomplish much more together than we can on our own. Collaborating with organizations such as Bruce Power means that we have a greater ability to better the health of the people and communities of Northern Ontario.”

“This announcement demonstrates what can be achieved through innovative partnerships," said Ontario energy minister Glenn Thibeault. "Health, energy, and our environment are directly linked. This new funding will help to expand research functions at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and ensure the school is able to undertake the cutting edge work we've all come to expect from that team.

I’m also pleased with the announced installation of a new electric vehicle charging station at Laurentian University, allowing the public improved access to free charging.” 



James Scongack, left, Bruce Power's vice-president, corporate affairs; is joined by Dr. David Marsh, Northern Ontario School of Medicine deputy dean and associate dean, community engagement; Ontario energy minister Glenn Thibeault; Frank Saunders, Bruce Power's vice-president, regulatory affairs; and Dr. Doug Boreham, Bruce Power chairman of radiation and health at NOSM and manager of integration at Bruce Power, at the announcement of Bruce Power's $5-million donation to NOSM. Thursday; photo courtesy of Bruce Power