Hospitals seek isotope as Ottawa pushes to restart reactor

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - As hospital officials scramble to identify alternative sources of a crucial radioactive material used to diagnose and treat cancer patients, two federal government ministers have written the nuclear safety commission urging it to get the Chalk River reactor online.

The University Health Network recently received a generator which will supply isotopes to its hospitals as well as the Hospital for Sick Children, Mount Sinai and Women's College.

Because that supply of isotopes is limited and has a short shelf life, the hospital network– comprised of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret – can only supply the hospitals December 11 with no future supply confirmed, said spokesperson Fiona Hill.

More is being sought. The shortage, caused by the shutdown of the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. reactor, could last until January.

Cancer Care Ontario, in charge of cancer services across the province, has contacted all cancer hospitals with a suggested list of treatment priorities and alternatives.

Health Minister Tony Clement and Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said the "government has confirmed the parts and equipment required to complete the upgrade maintenance on the Chalk River facility has been expedited."

And in a letter they urged nuclear safety commission president Linda Keen to consider the health of Canadians in the decision on when the reactor will be restarted.

Related News

price

Parsing Ontario's electricity cost allocation

TORONTO - Ontario’s large commercial electricity customers can approach the looming annual decision about their billing structure for the 12 months beginning July 1 with the assurance of long-term relief on a portion of their costs. That’s to be weighed against uncertainties around energy demand and whether a locked-in cost allocation formula that looked favourable in pre-pandemic times will remain so until June 30, 2022.

“The biggest unknown is we just don’t know when the people are coming back,” Jon Douglas, director of sustainability with Menkes Property Management Services, reflected during a webinar sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association…

READ MORE
large solar panels

U.S. Senate Looks to Modernize Renewable Energy on Public Land

READ MORE

power blackout

Study: US Power Grid Has More Blackouts Than ENTIRE Developed World

READ MORE

hydro one chart

Research shows that Ontario electricity customers want more choice and flexibility

READ MORE

Georgia Power warns customers of scams during pandemic

READ MORE