Beginning from a position of strength as one of the largest suppliers of cobalt-60, Bruce Power and Nordion are working on increasing their production of the medical isotope to meet the increasing demands of the world market.
The companies will increase the amount of cobalt-60 Bruce Power is able to produce in its reactors by innovating a new adjuster component configuration. An increased supply of cobalt-60 is good news for the world medical community as Ontario produces about 50 per cent of the global supply of cobalt-60, which helps to sterilize billions of medical devices like gloves, masks and syringes, while also treating some forms of cancer.
“Cobalt-60 is a key tool for the world’s medical community and we’re working together with Nordion to ensure we’re able to meet the rising demand,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “We are a major producer of cobalt-60, with years of experience, and we’ve shown that we’re on the cutting edge of innovation with the production of medical isotopes, so being able to increase production advances Ontario’s leadership position worldwide.”
“Nordion is committed to providing a reliable, long-term supply of cobalt-60 to meet the growing demand for this critical isotope,” said Riaz Bandali, President, Nordion. “Through initiatives like this with Bruce Power, we continue to make investments in expanding production to support our mission, Safeguarding Global Health®.”
For more than 30 years, the four reactors at Bruce Power’s Bruce B generating station have been a reliable supply of cobalt-60 for Nordion, an Ottawa-based company that processes and distributes medical isotopes to the world’s health care community.
Bruce Power and Nordion have partnered to produce both Low Specific Activity (LSA) and High Specific Activity (HSA) cobalt-60. LSA cobalt-60 helps to sterilize more than 40 percent of the world’s single-use medical devices, which includes gloves, gowns, masks, and syringes. HSA cobalt-60 is used in specialized brain tumour treatments that minimize damage to healthy tissue and lower treatment side effects compared to traditional therapy in some cases.
“Nuclear not only powers our province with clean, reliable electricity, but it also helps save millions of lives in Ontario, Canada and around the world,” said Ontario’s Energy Minister, Todd Smith. “The expansion of Ontario-made cobalt-60 isotopes is putting our province at the forefront of nuclear isotope innovation that is being used to treat cancers and other diseases so more people can enjoy a healthier and a safer quality of life.”
“From discovering insulin to using stem cells to fight cancer, Ontario’s life sciences sector has a long history of innovation that has left a positive impact on countless lives across the province and the world,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “This new initiative between Bruce Power and Nordion builds on this history by supplying health systems around the world with the cobalt-60 needed to help fight cancer and sterilize medical devices. Congratulations, Bruce Power and Nordion!”
Learn more about how Bruce Power is helping to keep hospitals safe, and also diagnosing and treating cancer at www.brucepower.com/isotopes.
About Nordion
Nordion, a Sotera Health company, is a leading provider of medical gamma technologies used for the prevention and treatment of disease and infection. Nordion’s products are used daily by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical-device manufacturers, hospitals, clinics and research laboratories. Nordion supplies products to more than 40 countries around the world, and is committed to their mission, Safeguarding Global Health™ with every critical isotope they supply. Learn more at www.nordion.com.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
