![]() ![]() = ,Īttempts were made to develop a radiotherapy technique to increase the sensitivity of various types of tumors by exposing the patient to oxygen at high pressure in a specially constructed chamber while undergoing high-voltage x-ray treatment. ![]() Favorable results are described in patients with urinary bladder tumors administered l50- to 200-rad daily doses, for a total of 6000 to 8000 rads over 6 to 8 weeks. Various technical problems of Co/sup 60/ therapy are discussed, including precise localization of the tumor, calculation of dosage, use of filters to evenly distribute radiation and prevent hot spots, immobilization and positioning of the patient, and direct dosimetry for affirmation of calculated dosage. Some tumors at limited skin depth, such as in the larynx, are not amenable to Co/sup 60/ therapy because of the high exit dose. As a disadvantage, possibility of injury to adjacent organs is greater with Co/ sup 60/ therapy, since skin reactions, indicative of overdosage with x-ray therapy, may be absent. “Expanding our long relationship with OPG will ensure that we meet growing global demand for this critical isotope.The advantages of Co/sup 60/ therapy over conventional x-ray therapy, stemming from the fact that in the lst instance energy absorption within the tissues is by the Compton effect and in the 2nd case by the photoelectric effect, are: (1) increased skin tolerance, (2) reduced bone absorption, (3) increase in depth dose, (4) diminished radiation sickness, and (5) simplicity of operation. “Cobalt-60 is one of the key lines of defence in global efforts to safeguard public health,” said Kevin Brooks, President of Nordion. The rods are then pulled from the unit and cooled in the waters of the spent fuel bay before being packaged in flasks, which are then shipped to Nordion to be processed and delivered to clients around the world. This process turns the Cobalt-59 to Cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 produced at OPG's Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is used to sterilize medical equipment.Īt the beginning of each cycle, rods of Cobalt-59 are placed into the reactor and then bombarded with neutrons over several months. This sterilization process kills harmful bacteria as well as pests and insects that may be present in food.Ĭurrently, at Pickering, a team of skilled OPG employees extracts the isotope roughly every 24 months during unit outages at the station. And 40 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices and equipment are irradiated and sterilized using Cobalt-60.Įxpanding production to Darlington will result in high-quality jobs and ensure Canada remains a world-leading supplier of important radioisotopes, Hartwick said.Ĭobalt-60 emits gamma radiation, which is useful in irradiating and sterilizing medical devices and certain foods, like spices, meats and fruits. Workers at Pickering Nuclear GS prepare Cobalt-60 isotopes for delivery to Nordion.Ĭurrently, close to 50 per cent of the world’s Cobalt-60 is supplied by Ontario’s nuclear reactors. With the station’s upcoming end of commercial operations, expanding Cobalt-60 production to Darlington will help Ontario continue to meet the growing global demand for this isotope. Pickering has supplied Cobalt-60 since 1971 and was the first Ontario generating station to produce the isotope. “We’re very proud of our legacy of Cobalt-60 production at Pickering and look forward to continuing this at Darlington.” “With Darlington’s ongoing mid-life refurbishment, the station will be a steady and reliable source of medical isotopes for the next 30-plus years,” said Ken Hartwick, President and CEO of OPG. In 2018, OPG announced the plant will be the first commercial nuclear power station in the world to produce large quantities of the isotope. In addition to Cobalt-60, Darlington will soon be producing another life-saving isotope, Molybdenum-99, which helps detect illnesses like cancer and heart disease. The life-saving isotope, used to irradiate and sterilize medical devices and equipment, as well as certain foods, helps keep millions of people around the world safe and healthy. The company has signed a new agreement with Nordion, an Ottawa-based health sciences company, to produce Cobalt-60 at Darlington’s reactors. Now, OPG will continue Pickering’s legacy at Darlington Nuclear GS in Clarington. Cobalt-60 isotopes are placed into a flask in the spent fuel bay at Pickering Nuclear GS. Nuclear safety and emergency preparednessįor close to 50 years, OPG’s Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (GS) has been a source of one of the world’s most valuable medical isotopes – Cobalt-60.United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. ![]()
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