Production of isotopes

Nuclear reactors is also used to produce isotopes, that are widely used in basic and applied science and engineering, most notably as environmental, industrial tracers, food & agriculture [1], and for medical procedures [2].

Cobolt-60 (Co-60) #

C-60 is a very important isotope for medical treatment [3]. Such as stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors and gamma-sterilization of medical products. Around 40% of the world’s medical equipment is gamma-sterilized through co-60. Which was especially important during the Covid-19 pandemic. The healthcare industry has relied on co-60 since the 1960s, when the demand for sterilization began to grow. Other important uses of co-60 include food treatment and environmental applications.

Cobalt-60 is formed when cobalt-59 is bombarded with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) #

Mo-99 is an important isotope for diagnosing potentially life-threatening conditions, such as SPECT scans, and helping patients get the life-saving treatment they need [4]. It is used in over 30 million procedures a year to detect illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) #

Lu-177 is an important isotope for targeted radionuclide therapy for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and also prostate cancer [5].

In 2022, the Candu reactors at Bruce nuclear power plant in Ontario, Canada produced for the first time in history, in a commercial nuclear reactor LU-177 via the new Isotope Production System (IPS) [6].

Helium-3 (He-3) #

He-3 is a rare isotope, used in quantum computing, neutron research, border security and medical imaging.

Tritium (H-3) #

Tritium is used in the production of self-powered lights and medical research. Minute amounts of tritium combined with phosphor create a long-lasting, self-powered light source that does not require electricity, used in watch dials and exit signs.

Scandium-47 (Sc-47) #

Sc-47 is a beta particle emitter that is useful during Cancer treatment. The isotope can be used for both diagnostics and anticancer therapy. Scandium-47 is produced by neutron bombardment of calcium carbonate. The resulting calcium-47 decays to scandium-47 and carbon. It is then removed chemically [7].

In Australia they have started to produce Sc-47 [8].

Sources #

1. Radioisotope uses for food and agriculture – World Nuclear Association (world-nuclear.org)
2. Radioisotopes in Medicine | Nuclear Medicine – World Nuclear Association (world-nuclear.org)
3. Washington State Department of Health – Office of Radiation Protection – Cobalt-60 (Co 60) Fact Sheet
4. SHINE Technologies | What Is Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)? (shinefusion.com)
5. What is Lutetium-177 | Advancing Nuclear Medicine
6. A commercial nuclear reactor is producing the medical isotope lutetium-177 for the first time – Foro Nuclear
7. Researchers find way to make new cancer medicine — ANS / Nuclear Newswire
8. Australian reactor produces new radioisotope with potential to enhance molecular imaging (healthimaging.com)