A product of the nuclear fission that takes place inside a CANDU reactor, Cobalt-60 is produced by irradiating Cobalt-59 adjuster rods that have been inserted into the reactor. During this process, Cobalt-59 absorbs a neutron and a change occurs at the atomic level to become radioactive Cobalt-60. At each planned maintenance outage, the Cobalt-60 adjuster rods are removed, processed and safely loaded for shipment.
As Cobalt-60 emits gamma radiation, it is an ideal isotope for medical and industrial applications. The isotope is also used to irradiate food products, ridding them of harmful bacteria, spoilage organisms, and insects without affecting the foods’ taste, colour, texture or nutritional value.
Harvesting Cobalt-60 which is a vital part of our health care system.
For decades, Ontario’s nuclear generating stations have been the source of a product that keeps millions of people healthy and safe.
Aside from producing the clean, reliable energy we benefit from every day, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Bruce Power, together with Nordion, an Ottawa-based health science company, supply fifty percent of the world’s Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope used to sterilize medical equipment and supplies, keep food products safe, as well as treat cancer and other diseases.
Hospitals around the world rely on single-use medical supplies (syringes, gloves, masks, sutures, IV tubing sets, and many other supplies), which have been sterilized off-site using Ontario-made Cobalt-60. High Specific Activity Cobalt-60 is instrumental in radiation therapy treatment to shrink tumours. About 70,000 patients have undergone surgery using the Elekta Gamma Knife, used to treat head and neck cancers.
The World Nuclear Association believes the demand for radioisotopes will continue to rise by five percent on an annual basis.
OPG and Bruce Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the companies work together to ensure a steady long-term supply of Cobalt-60 as operations at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station wind down in the coming years. This includes working collaboratively to assess expanding Cobalt-60 production to OPG’s Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.
“OPG has been producing Cobalt-60 since the 1970’s. As the demand for radioisotopes continues to grow, OPG is working to expand Cobalt-60 production to our Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Last year we announced production of Molybdenum-99, a life saving medical isotope that helps to detect illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Darlington Nuclear will be the only source of Molybdenum-99 in North America, ensuring a stable domestic supply of this critical product,” says Ken Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO.
Given the effectiveness of Cobalt-60 for medical device sterilization, and cancer treatment, Canadian scientists are looking at other medical isotopes that can be produced in our CANDU nuclear power plants to improve the lives of Canadians. OPG is currently working on a project to produce Molybdenum-99 at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. The more advancements in production and application of nuclear medicine, the better the results will be for personalized medicine.
“Bruce Power is one of the world’s largest suppliers of Cobalt-60 used to sterilize 40% of the world’s single use medical devices and for the treatment of some forms of brain tumours. The investments we are making at our site will ensure a reliable and low cost supply of Co-60 to 2064. Bruce Power is also advancing an initiative to help produce Lutetium-177, a medical isotope used to treat prostate cancer. With demand for isotopes growing each year, Canada has a unique opportunity to expand and cement its leadership position in this innovative industry,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO of Bruce Power.
That’s why power generators like OPG and Bruce Power, together with Nordion, are dedicated to ensuring there is a steady, reliable supply of Cobalt-60 for Ontario and the world.
“This made-in-Ontario solution impacts the lives of people around the world every day,” said Kevin Brooks, President of Nordion. “We should all be very proud of our role in safeguarding global health.”
Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation
