Canada to Recycle Disused Radioactive Sources from Thailand for Innovative Cancer Treatments under IAEA Initiative

Discovered in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie, radium-226 was formerly used in radiotherapy but has since been replaced by other sources.

Canada will recycle disused radioactive sources from Thailand to support innovative cancer treatments, as part of the international Global Radium-226 Management Initiative by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This initiative connects countries with old radiotherapy sources with those capable of recycling or reusing them.

Over 65 countries, possessing disused radium-226 sources, are participating in this initiative, coordinating the transfer of these legacy sources to partners with advanced technology to recycle the radium-226 and produce lifesaving radioisotopes.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has received two shipments of disused radium-226 sources from the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) for recycling. This will contribute to rare, innovative cancer treatments.

Discovered in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie, radium-226 was formerly used in radiotherapy but has since been replaced by other sources. Today, it is used as a feedstock for the production of the radioisotope actinium-225, which is extremely rare, with annual global production less than a grain of sand.

Actinium-225 is an alpha-emitting source known for its effectiveness in destroying malignant cells in targeted cancer treatments. It allows for targeted radiotherapy, killing cancerous cells without damaging nearby healthy tissue.

Many countries have legacy stocks of radium-226 but lack the recycling capabilities to utilize this valuable resource. "The Global Radium-226 Management Initiative supports both the long-term management of these sources and the increased availability of actinium-225," said Olena Mykolaichuk, Director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. "We are encouraged by the proactive engagement in this area."

"The IAEA has long championed the safe storage and disposal of disused sealed radioactive sources, which has always been appreciated and supported by Canada," said Jack Craig, President and CEO of CNL. "However, their initiatives to assist donor nations in removing long-term liabilities while enabling a new radiotherapeutics industry is monumental. We are grateful to the Kingdom of Thailand and our new collaborators, TINT, for their contribution to this new class of cancer therapeutic drugs."

TINT first contacted the IAEA about this project in February 2022 and met with CNL later that year. After receiving their export license in June 2023, over 70 packages of disused radium-226 were sent to Canada.

The international transfer of radioactive material requires close collaboration among regulatory bodies, including Thailand's Office of Atoms for Peace and port authorities. The process involves diligent work in radiation and contamination monitoring, source inspection, characterization, and repackaging, supported by the IAEA before shipment.

"Thailand, through TINT, successfully transferred the radium-226 sources to Canada with great support and coordination from the IAEA and relevant authorities of both countries," said Thawatchai Onjun, Executive Director of TINT.

TINT constructed a dedicated radioactive waste storage facility at its Ongkharak site in 2013, which became functional in 2016. "Recycling these sources has multiple benefits for Thailand and aligns with circular economy objectives," said Archara Phattanasub, Head of the Radioactive Waste Technology and Development Section in TINT. "This initiative significantly reduces the risk of incidents associated with these disused sources and frees up space in our national storage facility."

Several more transfers are planned for 2024, with shipments from Curaçao, El Salvador, Fiji, and Slovenia set to take place later this year. In December, the IAEA will host a technical meeting to review progress, examine lessons learned, and identify future collaboration opportunities.

"The collaboration between CNL and TINT exemplifies effective complex source transportation operations," said Mykolaichuk. "Fostering sustainable practices is a key element of the IAEA's mandate, and we look forward to delivering on this initiative for many years to come."