Bruce Power harvests largest amount of Cobalt-60 in its history

As a leader in the production of cancer-fighting medical isotopes, Bruce Power recently completed the largest harvest of Cobalt-60 in its history, during its Unit 5 planned outage, bolstering the global health-care community’s supply of this key tool in fighting disease, the sterilization of medical equipment, and food safety.

Bruce Power continues to innovate in the medical isotopes space, including upgrades during the Unit 5 outage that will allow the company to produce more Cobalt-60 and High Specific Activity (HSA) Cobalt-60, a medical-grade Cobalt-60 used in the treatment of brain tumours and breast cancer through non-invasive procedures.

“The production of these potentially life-saving medical isotopes is a beacon of hope that is provided by our nuclear industry,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president, and chairman of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.

“Through the operation of our units and our partnerships with Canada- and Ontario-based supply chain and trades, people and hospitals around the world can rely on our steady supply of these vital resources.”

The isotopes are being delivered to Ottawa-based Nordion to be processed and distributed across the globe.

HSA Cobalt-60 radiation therapies limit damage to healthy tissues by delivering a single, high dose of radiation with a high degree of accuracy to the affected area, lowering the risk of side effects for some patients when compared to other types of radiation therapy.

“Cobalt-60 is critical in the global health-care system for non-invasive cancer treatments,” said Dr. Arjun Sahgal, chief of radiation oncology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, who uses HSA Cobalt to treat cancer patients with gamma knife technology.

Sahgal recently visited Bruce Power to tour its facilities and got a first-hand look at the Cobalt-60 harvested from Unit 5 as it sat in the fuel bay. “We’re lucky in Ontario that we have a commitment to advanced cancer radiation therapies and nuclear isotopes,” he said.

“Through investments in Bruce Power’s long-term operation and renewing its units, Ontario is not only meeting its growing electricity needs but providing a steady supply of Cobalt-60 and other medical isotopes well into the future,” said Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig. “We’re proud to see isotopes produced right here at home, helping to save lives around the world.”

Learn more about how Bruce Power is helping at www.brucepower.com/isotopes.



Dr. Arjun Sahgal, chief of radiation oncology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, visits Bruce Power to tour the facilities and get a first-hand look at the Cobalt-60 harvested from Unit 5