Mr. David F. Torgerson on An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River

In the House of Commons on December 11th, 2007. See this statement in context.

An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk RiverGovernment Orders

December 11th, 2007 / 9:55 p.m.

Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer and President for the Research and Technology Division AECL

David F. Torgerson

Mr. Chair, Cobalt-60 has a much longer half-life. Therefore when we make the Cobalt-60, it stays around for several years. Therefore, we have a good supply of cobalt. Cobalt is a wonderful material as was mentioned. It can sterilize food. It can sterilize medical supplies. It can provide cancer therapy. One of the most exciting new applications of this is what is called the gamma knife, so it is knifeless surgery.

It is an important product, but it has a long half-life, so being down for a while does not affect the supply.

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