Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has completed another harvest of Cobalt-60 (Co-60) at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, continuing a decades-long program of producing this life-saving medical isotope.

Co-60 is used in medical radiotherapy, such as in treating cancer. About 40 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices, such as syringes, gloves, implants, and surgical instruments, are sterilized with Co-60.

Once harvested, the isotope is loaded into flasks and shipped to Nordion, a health-sciences company in Ottawa, where it is manufactured into a finished product and shipped for use around the world. The Pickering station has been an integral part of Nordion’s Co-60 supply for decades, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide.

OPG is expanding its production of Co-60 to Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Implementing Co-60 production at Darlington Nuclear after Pickering Nuclear ceases operations will replace Pickering Nuclear's capacity and provide increased production to meet global demand.

To read more please visit:

OPG Harvests life-saving Medical isotope at Pickering Nuclear

Source: OPG